THE NEW LUXURY OF HAIR EXTENSIONS – 2026 EDITION

With over 35 years dedicated to hair extensions, Naomi Panizza has been at the forefront of an industry that was once virtually unknown—helping shape it into the specialised, high-value service it is today. As one of the longest-standing Global Ambassadors for Great Lengths, her depth of knowledge and experience is unmatched. Naomi has built her career on elevating extensions from a niche offering to a refined craft, and her salon reflects that commitment. With a business model focused exclusively on keratin bond extensions—no colour services—her entire team operates as true specialists, delivering expert-level results with consistency and precision. Recognised as a trusted authority, Naomi is known for her advanced corrective work, often taking on complex cases where others can’t. Her approach combines technical mastery with a clear philosophy: everyone deserves great hair. Through decades of evolution in the industry, Naomi has not only mastered her craft—she has helped define its full potential as both an art form and a powerful business model.
Socials: @ naomipanizza_thestudio

Recognised as one of Australia’s top-performing stylists, Rachel Vitullo has built her reputation at the highest level of the industry—starting in one of Australia’s most recognised salons as part of a 20-person team, and evolving into a successful solo operator. This dual perspective gives Rachel a rare edge. She understands how to scale hair extensions within a high-performing team environment, while also knowing exactly how to maximise profitability, efficiency, and client retention as an independent stylist. Known for her precision, consistency, and ability to deliver premium results, Rachel has cultivated a loyal, high-value clientele and a business model that supports sustainable growth. In this class, Rachel shares how to successfully integrate and scale extensions—whether you’re working within a large salon team or building your own independent business—bridging the gap between technical excellence and real-world profitability.
Socials: @rachelvitullo

Pete Thomsen is one of Australia’s most respected hairdressers, having built a globally recognised brand on the foundation of strategic partnerships with the world’s leading luxury hair and beauty companies, including Great Lengths, L’Oréal, and Dyson. With over 25 years in the industry, Pete has leveraged these high-level collaborations to position both himself and his salon, Chelsea Haircutters, at the forefront of premium hairdressing. His work in luxury blondes and balayage is internationally recognised for its seamless, effortless finish—while his business continues to attract a high-end clientele and a strong global following. As a leading authority in tape extensions, Pete has refined techniques that not only elevate colour and create transformative results, but also drive premium service offerings within the salon. His ability to align creative excellence with powerful brand partnerships has been key to building a business that is both influential and commercially successful.
Socials: @petethomsen | @chelseahaircutters

With over 20 years in the luxury hair industry, Kirby Lago is a salon owner whose numbers speak for themselves. As the founder of Pelo by Lago, she has built a powerhouse salon known for its consistent growth, premium clientele, and industry-leading results—driven in large part by a highly profitable hair extension offering. Renowned for creating the iconic Mocha Bronde look and cultivating a fiercely loyal social following, Kirby has mastered the balance between creativity and commercial success. Her business is a benchmark for stylists looking to scale, streamline, and significantly increase revenue behind the chair. In this class, Kirby shares exactly how she integrated extensions into her salon to drive demand, attract high-value clients, and build a scalable, repeatable income stream that continues to fuel expansion.
Socials: @kirbylago / @pelobylago