Girls at yoga class, Spa Di Dah

Girls at yoga class, Spa Di Dah

Suitable Placement: Juvenile Justice in America (2006 -)

Photograph

The Richard Ross Collection

Her hands sit in a teal plastic finger bowl of warm water impregnated with soapy lotions, flower petals floating amongst. Her mind is wandering toward other important events as she awaits the attention her manicurist will devote to her hands this afternoon. Her eyes wander to the traffic of the street outside on Beverly Boulevard in Hollywood. They scan the room to take in the other females in the room in similar states of indulgence and preen[ing]. She would be reading a magazine to pass the time, but Indra is too young to read. Indra has just turned three. This is her third trip to the spa. Tullulah, age five, picks out stars and sparkles to finish her toes as Louise, age six, admires her nails. Wrapped in luxurious pink terrycloth robes, the girls are besides themselves with glee as the Asian attendees, 20 to 30 years their elder, dote over their every need. These girls need to relax. They have had a difficult 10-minute workout session with their Yoga instructor. One of the oldest customers Ryna, at an advanced age of 11, is covered with a Hershey’s Kiss facial. An oil laden cloth soothes Ryna’s tired eyes as a smile unzips and a tongue slips out to repeatadly lick the chocolate mixture adorning her face. The world of young girls is full of issues both intricate and complex. Self esteem and skin care are a portion of the rationale for treatment, but it is difficult to remember nobler issues amid the frenzy of glee and indulgence. Two hours later, the customers slump slack jawed in spent energy and cupcake sugar as they succumb to the total relaxation of small toes in tubs of warm water, complete with foot rubs and pedicures. They shrink back into their pink robes and yawn greedily for air. Spa Di Da: the first and only full-service spa that caters exclusively to kids. Pedicures, manicures, Chocolate Kiss facials, ManiBaby+PediBaby For 18 months and younger, Cupcake Pedicure, waxing, yoga, and hair extensions.

© Richard Ross

United States