The one we've all been waiting for.

MISS INDEPENDENT STYLIST OF THE YEAR.

Charlene said it best herself, “There is nothing independent about being an independent stylist” & this week we dissect it all.

Charlene is a big player within our industry but especially the Australian hair community. If you've been at an event with her you know , SHE IS THE EVENT lol.

Former creative director of a large Melbourne salon group Charlene is now making her mark on our industry all her own.

A regular at fashion weeks, competition scenes and having traveled the globe with FAME team Charlene has seen a-lot and is dedicated to sharing her experiences and lessons with her peers and growing the next generation of hairdressers.

In 2021 Charlene shot her first solo collection. These images allowed her to express to the world what her flavour looks like.

"I was telling a story with this collection, a story of triumph and enlightenment. I was so proud of myself for the work that I produced and even prouder and just blown away to have won an award with this collection."

This year also saw the rebirth of Charlenes platform @thehumanhairdresser a resource for self care and education for hairdressers.

"We need to make changes to how we do things. We must consider balance in our lives and not just submit our life and health to our job like has been glorified in the past. These changes are necessary for the future of our industry. It is how we will attract more youth into our magical and fulfilling craft"

To hear the full story on these topics and more please enjoy this weeks episode of UN-FOILED with Charlene Fernandez.

PREFER TO WATCH?;

https://youtu.be/nEDm4gJXkSU

HAIR BIZ ARTICLE;

https://issuu.com/princess14/docs/hairbiz_year15iss5/s/13288147

INSTAGRAM;

https://www.instagram.com/un_foiled/

https://www.instagram.com/charlenefernandezhair/

https://www.instagram.com/colourbycrys/

https://www.instagram.com/thehumanhairdresser/

This weeks podcast features the one and only Renya Xydis.

What an absolute honour is was to sit down with this radiant, talented and iconic woman.

Her personality is infectious and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way through.

Renya is the creative director of her two beloved salons VALONZ Hair Cutters & SalonX. Aswell as being the first DYSON global ambassador Renya is proud to be the ambassador for WELLA global and MIZUTANI scissors.

With a career that went boom at 30 after having two children Renya started travelling the world. Throughout the year you can find her working as hair director on runway shows and backstage for fashion week in Paris, Milan, New York and Australia.

Xydis is constantly pushing the boundaries of creativity which has seen her work for over three decades in some of worlds leading publications from the iconic Vanity Fair, Harpers Bizarre and Vogue.

Renya is known for creating trends. Her ‘can do’ attitude towards hair makes her a natural favourite with her loyal celebrity clientele (Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Cate Blancett, Toni Collette, Simon Baker, Hugh Jackmam, super models Kate MOSS, Christy turlington, Elle McPherson and more)

Xydis has opened the doors for many as a pioneer within our industry & will continue to help the ones that have the same love, passion and energy that she does.

This is a must listen episode with the one and only Renya Xydis.

@un_foiled

@colourbycrys

@renyaxydis

@renyaxydis_editorialhair

 @valonzhaircutters

Every recoding I learn something new, this week was no different.

I LOVED learning more about the barbering industry and how it is continually evolving.

This week my guest is Joe Kurdyla, Co- Owner of Kings Domain Barbershop, Saint Domain Barbers & Kings Domain Haircare.

Joe has been involved in the hair industry for over 15 years, starting his career at Toni & Guy, Bradford, UK. During his time there Joe quickly realised that his passion was in men’s hair and barbering. It has been quite a journey going from working in a $10 barbershop in Bradford to where he is today. 

Since moving to Australia and joining the team at Kings Domain Joe has not only opened his own shop, he has also been involved in developing / wholesaling the Kings Domain Haircare range and now another venture in a new barber shop, Saint Domain. 

I loved learning the process of creating the product range, and how the team within the barber shops trialed and tested each product. I saw the value of that and how it would make the team more passionate about retailing a product involved in creating.

We also spoke about the new Saint Domain barbershops, which is due to launch later this year. Saint Domain will be a more stripped back and streamlined service within the barbering scene and I loved getting the inside scoop.

For the full story you will have to tune into this weeks episode of UN-FOILED

https://www.instagram.com/un_foiled/

https://www.instagram.com/joekurdyla/

https://www.instagram.com/kingsdomainbarbers/

https://www.instagram.com/kingsdomainhaircare/

https://www.instagram.com/saintdomainbarbers/

YOUTUBE:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs4RSP_rStxASa4xTs4OEYg/videos

I first came across Maria on an instagram live a few months back. I was immediately drawn to her kind and calm energy. The way she spoke about leading her team and the kind of salon owner she was, I knew I needed to hear more.

Although there are so many incredible accolades in Marias career this episode is heavily focused on the business and relationship side of her journey. 

Maria Unali is a hairdresser whose proficiency behind the chair is evenly matched by admirable business leadership.  Simultaneously awarded the position of AHFA NSW Hairdresser of the Year and winner of the Hair Expo Salon Design Award in 2017, the Western Sydney born mother of two has established herself as a diversely talented star, amongst clientele and industry peers alike. 

Despite early concerns that a life outside the metro might dilute her opportunity to create an image-led career path, Unali was determined to shape a future that was based on a wide-eyed vision, a canvas confined only by her infinite imagination.  From inception, her approach was full of gusto and grace spending 5 years as a volunteer session assistant learning from highly skilled and respected international stylists including Sarah Laidlaw, Richard Kavanagh and Alan White. Her name appeared frequently on call sheets for popular fashion brands such as Bec and Bridge, Tony Maticevski and Romance was Born as well as large Advertising projects with Marie Claire, Supre and Mimco. In 2013, whilst working with 3 dimensional hair designs continued to appeal, the then 27 year old turned her focus to photographic work. With countless test shoots scheduled and shot and an inaugural collection under her belt, Unali created Neon Pop, a strong and athletic compilation that caught the eye of British Hairdressing royalty who awarded her AHFA NSW Hairdresser of the Year for 2014.   

In 2015 Unali’s innate eye for creating beautiful editorial hair and precision cuts was recognised by a cohort of Australia’s top Hairdressers and Media players who selected her to be part of the esteemed Australian FAME Team.  During a 12-month tenure under the Creative Direction of Brett McKinnon (The Murphy Gozzard Hair Community) the young stylist traversed the globe sharing her skill and affection for hairdressing at Hair Expo Australia (Aus), Industry Extracted (NZ) and Salon International (UK).  

Whilst regularly praised for her work in hair fashion, perhaps the greatest testament to the stylist’s exquisite taste was the 2016 launch of award winning Salon Kiin.   In a venture that took courage, uprooting a deep family anchor in a local shopping centre, the birth of what has been deemed a true lifestyle salon space, demonstrates the intelligent business vein of a once self-confessed insatiable creative. Attributing the success of her new residence to an exhaustive research phase that identified an evolution in her target market and employee DNA, alongside a solid reputation and heritage, initiated by Papa back in 1981, Salon Kiin is a noteworthy symbol of an unwavering vision in the mind of a brilliant artist.  

2021 saw Marias second salon, a stunning Salon Kaia. Located in Wollongong and designed with decadence in mind, Salon Kaia delivers a feel good hairdressing experience that nurtures your whole self—from the inside out.

Youtube;

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs4RSP_rStxASa4xTs4OEYg

Instagram;

@maria_unali

@salonkiin

@salonkaia

@un_foiled

@colourbycrys

MARIA’S RECCOMENDATIONS 

Books for Salon Owners: 

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown 

Leaders Eat Last & The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

No Rules Rule by Reed Hastings & Erin Meyer

Podcasts for Salon Owners:

Entreleadership

A bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

Work life by Adam Grant

Dare to lead with Brene Brown (Spotify)

Books for stylists:

Braving the wilderness by Brene Brown

Limitless Mind by Jo Boaler

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Podcasts for Stylists:

My Millennial Career

Kwik Brain

Smart People Podcast

This is episode is a continuation of my two part series with Michael Kelly.

You can also watch all our episodes over on YouTube.

Connect with us on socials;

@michaelkellycolourist

@un_foiled

@colourbycrys

Michael Kelly is an Australian Education Specialist & Hair Colourist who has been taking Australia (if not the world) by storm over the last decade as Australia’s leading colour educator. 

Originally from a small surf town on the East Coast of Australia, Michael has always held a deep passion for beauty. From an early age, Michael knew he craved to be part of a movement where he could use his creative passions to turn the industry on its head. 

Micheal is a without a doubt a mover and shaker and has worked with many leading salons not only in Australia but overseas. Throughout our fluid conversation you will be taken on a journey through Michaels career.

Michael walks us through starting his apprenticeship at Valonz Haircutters to his four years spent at Oscar Oscar Salons. Throughout his career he has worked alongside brands such as Wella and Redken working nationally on large event style education with audiences of 500+ in attendance. 

Michaels career led him to London to launch Taylor Taylor London's Liberty salon. It was in this time that he entered the world of instagram. Michael quickly built a solid clientel & cult following from the US & Middle East. Clients of diverse ethnicity would fly in from all around the world to have their hair done.

Boasting tens of thousands of followers across various social platforms, Michael’s expertise is the ability to colour hair to look as if it were lightened by the sun - natural blondes, sun-kissed brunettes and vibrant coppers all signature staples in his portfolio. 

Upon returning to Australia Michael joined the Edwards&co team as Director of Education . Micheal was apart of building and rolling out a solid infrastructure around Education & Development in what was Australia's most up and coming hair & lifestyle brand.

Currently Michael is a Freelance Education Specialist & Colourist working out of his own suite within the highly sought after Salon Lane.

With a career that spans close to two decades, Kelly has attracted the attention of international industry heavyweights across America, Europe and Asia, all front row to see Kelly’s mastery live and up close in sold out workshops. Cool, in control and confident, Michael is the king of engaging a live audience, always adding a little extra to every class with his humble humour and expert knowledge.

On this episode we speak about his visions of opening his own salon and how the current climate impacted that. We talk financial backers, agents and our opinion on the misconception surrounding freelance artists.

This two part episode is one you won’t want to miss. Be sure to subscribe to get all the alerts for part ✌🏼 and more available on iTunes, Spotify and Youtube.

@michaelkellycolourist

@un_foiled

@colourbycrys

Adam Ciaccia is an internationally renowned, multi award winning Australian hairstylist. He is the Owner & Creative Director of Canberra's Axis Hairdressing. 

Adam started his career in 1998, a career path that was surprising to those that knew him best. Once exposed to the hairdressing world through a salon coordinator job Adam followed his dream; to be known and respected as a great hairdresser, one who is genuine, approachable and accessible to fellow artists and clients.

Adam focuses on providing high quality haircutting and customer service for his clients. Now with over 19 years of experience, Adam has created an incredible demand for his services throughout local and national regions in Australia. Adam also has a broad international clientele from New Zealand, South East Asian, India, North America and even Europe thanks to his exposure via YouTube.

Adams “hairTUBE” platform has over 147K subscribers and has had 2.6M views.

For the full story be sure to tune into this weeks episode of UN-FOILED

youtube.com/user/AdamCiaccia

@adamciaccia

@un_foiled

@colourbycrys

My guest this week needs no introduction.

Sharon is one of the most acclaimed hairdressers and educators in the world today. For more than five decades she has been toiling her craft, perfecting her skills and sharing her unrivalled knowledge with thousands of hairdressers from all corners of the globe at workshops, seminars, online and at her highly acclaimed boot camps.

Rarely has a hairstylist captured the hearts and minds of their students. Testimonials and tales about how Sharon’s education has impacted the lives and careers of hairdressers around the world flood in on a daily basis and her education calendar is booked solidly years in advance - all testament to her unwavering reputation as an outstanding and highly respected educator and mentor.

Sharon Blain is undoubtedly one of hairdressing’s most recognised and esteemed icons. Respect and longevity set her apart, along with her desire to leave a legacy that continues to ignite passion within the hearts of our future generations for years to come. 

Sharon is someone I am so proud to call a friend. I am so grateful for this opportunity to document her thoughts and contribute to documenting her legacy.

It was a privilege to be able to record this weeks episode with the one and only Sharon Blain.

@sharonblaineducation

@un_foiled

@colourbycrys