A hair and makeup whiz kid, April Barton founded Suite 303 following stints at a cosmetology school in London and the John Dellaria salon in New York City. "I didn't want to be the mass market," says Barton. "I needed room to grow as an artist." The pioneering Barton approached Stanley and David Bard, owners of legendary Chelsea Hotel, with her concept - to establish a salon inside the hotel with the truest artistic aims in mind. Barton envisioned a place where kindred creative spirits could meet, gather and inspire each other to higher levels of expression. Recognizing the concept as a sincere artistic endeavor, the Bards gave their okay and Suite 303 opened its doors in 1995. "My clients get their hair cut by me," says Barton, with a welcoming yet mischievous smile, "because nobody can get me out of their hair." Walking into Suite 303 isn't like a trip to the hair salon. It's stopping by to see an old friend, giving her adorable brown Labrador mix Ava a scratch on the tummy and cranking up a CD of a her favorite new punk band. Oh, and then getting a great haircut to boot. "Often people come in and sit down and feel pressure to know what they want. We listen and collaborate artistically to give the client the utmost style they would do to themselves - if they could do it themselves. That's the idea." Barton attracts a clientele of celebrities like Matthew Modine, Adrien Brody, Bono, Jake Gyllenhaal, as well as underground Downtown artists who'll stop by for a trim in exchange for a drawing or a few songs strummed on an acoustic guitar. If you're an actor, April will read your script to better grasp your character. If you make music, they'll listen to the lyrics. Are you into photography? Bring your portfolio. "We're not on automatic pilot," Barton says. "We want to understand where you're coming from." Suite 303 caters both to men and women. In the fashion world, Barton is perhaps best known for her signature men's haircuts. "Strong, defined foundation," she says. "That's what I'm known for. I want my clients to be caught in a convertible and the hair's still going to translate well. Two months after I cut it, I want it holding strong." She laughs, "I'm kind of like the Viagra of hair." Whether it's adapting retro styles for Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane before the opening of "The Producers" or keeping it raw for Mary J. Blige at a Vibe photo shoot, at Suite 303 the mission is artistic integrity. It's about understanding who you are and having the nerve to show it. "It took me more than a decade to build this philosophy and style of doing hair, to make it stick" And now it's being celebrated by many. People are starving for the truth and for change. That's what you'll get at Suite 303.