A woman spraying hair with an air freshener.
Katie
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The Talent

Shaun Surething co-owned and operated Seagull Hair Salon from 2006 to 2025 (RIP Seagull) with Art Critic Johanna Fateman, who left in 2022. Shaun Surething has been making magic, engineering cultures, and doing pretty fabulous hair for 33 years on both coasts—much to the delight of the NYC Art World, Fashion Editors, Music Industry Titans, and everyone else. 

Katie Asaro graduated top of her class at Arrojo NYC and went on to train with Seagull's award-winning staff, who are now spread out across the city and across the country. In addition to having her own robust clientele of creatives, professionals, and artists, Katie shares clients with Shaun—they trust her implicitly—and splits her time with him at their jewel-box salon suite. 

Where We Came From

The Sulking Room is the brainchild of Shaun and Katie, formerly of Seagull Hair Salon. In its 20-year heyday, Seagull, Shaun and Katie were featured in The New York Times (Metro, Magazine, and Styles sections), Allure’s best NYC stylists, Nylon, Refinery29, Racked, Cosmopolitan, and New York Magazine for everything from fantasy color to low-maintenance brilliance. 

Kind Words From Our Luminaries

“I think Seagull sort of takes the word ‘salon’ to a new level. It’s a laughable word in relationship to hair cutting and so on, but somehow the salon’s vibe is cultural. It’s not Gertrude Stein-y, but you’re in the art world while getting your haircut. I’ve known about Jo since before her Le Tigre days; she’s someone who understands feminist culture. She’s a player.” – Eileen Myles, Writer

“It’s like I’m hanging out with my best girlfriends, who happen to do really great hair. I think what Johanna and Shaun have created is really special. It feels like a family. The family you create — not the one you were born into.” – Bridget Everett, Comedian

“I always see Shaun, and he is a consummate artist. I can always count on him for a very stimulating 45-minute conversation from a queer/feminist/magical perspective; and I so appreciate having his council as I confront the problems of self-presentation and aging,” – Carol Bove, Artist

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Shaun for the better part of 5 years. He is a brilliant stylist and easy to communicate with. Aside from being a great stylist he is a joy to be around and getting to know him personally has been wonderful, he is hilarious. We are never lacking in topics to dissect together. He is a true artist.”

Nicole Eisenman, Visual Artist

As the director of Participant Inc. I come across artists of many disciplines. I am happy to include Shaun among not only my colleagues but as one of my good friends. Shaun is fun, sincere, and incredibly talented both as a hairstylist and artist in general and I am pleased to count him as one of my peers.

Lia Gangitano, Participant Inc.

See Our Work

Stylist Instagrams are linked on their individual pages. For an overview of our range, browse Sulking Room Styles.