ILLUME – Celebrating 50 Years of Joico

CAROLYN GAHAN – Carolyn runs Quarry Avenue Salon in Sydney’s CBD—a shared workspace she built for independent hairstylists who want to run their own show. Originally from Ontario, she landed in Australia in 2011 and has since racked up five Australian Hair Fashion Awards finalist spots, winning Hair Shot of the Year in 2020 and earning another nomination for the same category in 2026. She was the AHIA Independent Hairdresser of the year 2022, her work’s been in Vogue, at Cannes, at Cosmoprof in Italy. She’s known for wild creativity—whether it’s dreamy pastels, editorial work that pushes boundaries, or technical colour that’s bold and unapologetic. Beyond the chair, Carolyn coaches stylists on the business side—how to actually make money, build something sustainable, and run a salon that works for you instead of the other way around.

-  Socials: @carolynjayun

Katy comes from a hairdressing family—her father owned salons in the UK—so the industry has always been part of her DNA. She spent a decade at TONI&GUY Manly as Salon Owner/Manager before stepping into the role of National Creative Director for TONI&GUY Australia, later launching her own education business. She is the 2023 and 2025 AHIA Sole Trader of the Year, was named NSW/ACT Hairdresser of the Year in 2019 and is a 2026 finalist for AHFA Educator of the Year.

Katy is passionate about cutting because of its immediacy—how one section can completely transform the overall shape. She has led teams at London and Paris Fashion Week, yet her education is grounded in real salon life, focused on making advanced techniques practical on a busy Tuesday with six clients back-to-back. A respected educator, she understands the difference between what photographs beautifully and what truly performs behind the chair.

-  Socials: @katyreevehairandlife