The collision of words and illustration gives this sign its graphic force. The partially rendered face is mysterious and the jagged diagonal mark along the right side makes it even more so, inviting you to imagine a large and complicated hairdo.
This sign has a retro flavour. It makes me think of sixties paperback covers and of movie posters designed by Saul Bass. I wonder if this salon has a flair for looks inspired by that era.
I like signs that reward attention and this one delivers. Check out the upper right hand corner—there’s a small Eiffel Tower that you may not have noticed. Perhaps the figure in the sign is daydreaming of Paris.
TORONTO TYPE 
November 9, 2011 at 10:13 pm
The pink lips below corresponds with the Chinese words and the Eiffel Tower, which gives me an impression that one side is trying to balance while overall it is colliding; as well as the handwriting style Chinese vs typewriting English.
‘CIALENGO’ does not reflect the pronunciation of the Chinese words, which makes me wonder which name comes first.
The black mark and partial face makes this sign unusual, a very interesting sign…
November 11, 2011 at 11:50 pm
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your comment. It’s intriguing that the Chinese and English are not the same. The New York Times just published a fascinating article about the challenge of coming up with Chinese versions of Western brand names.
So yes, in the case of this sign, I wonder as you do which came first, the Chinese or the English.
Corneil
December 6, 2011 at 7:53 pm
Dundas Street West?
December 7, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Hi Jay,
Good guess, but it’s actually Gerrard Street East, just east of Broadview. It’s a great neighbourhood for interesting signs. It’s where you’ll find Happy Bridal Boutique Inc., and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Corneil