Iye’s Salon at 4600 Duke Street was a buzz of activity Aug. 14 as stylists gave girls from Carpenter’s Shelter programs new braided hairstyles to begin the school year.

 “One of my clients wanted to help little girls who are not able to pay for their hair styles,” said salon owner Iye Bayoh. “So she came to me and asked if we could make this happen.”

That client was Alexandria City Councilwoman Alyia Gaskins, who was on hand serving refreshments to the young clients as volunteer stylists spent the day creating braids and natural styles for the girls of Carpenter’s Shelter in preparation to start a new school year.

“I wanted to organize a mini hair salon for young girls currently living in Carpenter’s Shelter or participating in their community programs to get their hair done for the first day of school,” Gaskins said. “The stylists are all donating their time to make these girls feel special as they begin the school year.”

Added Bayoh, who has been styling hair for over 16 years, “I wanted kids to be able to come and feel pampered.”

Stylists Monique Reid, Jerrell Morgan, Nevaeah Kilgore, and Shanika Morgan give 7-year-old Nyela a new hairstyle at a free styling day for Carpenter’s Shelter girls Aug. 14 at Iye’s Salon at 4600 Duke Street.