Your Educators

Adam Ciaccia

Adam Ciaccia is an Multi Award-Winning Australian Hairstylist, educator, digital content creator and Director of Axis Hairdressing in Canberra Australia. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Adam has developed a strong reputation as an international freelance hairstylist and a well-respected figure in the global hairdressing community, via digital mediums such as YouTube and Meta.

Adam was one of the first Australian hairstylists to break out into the digital space choosing YouTube in 2012 as his platform to share a range of educational content, from tutorials on cutting, colouring and styling, advice on building a successful hairdressing career and even producing two candid documentary series. He is dedicated to helping aspiring hairstylists develop their skills and build their confidence.

Adam isn’t only a leader in the digital space but also as a Hairstylist, winning multiple awards such as AHFA NSW Hairdresser of the Year in 2012 & 2018; being named as a Finalist in Australian Hairdresser of the Year for 5 consecutive years and gaining recognition in many other international award platforms.

Most recently Adam has worked with the L’Oreal Australia as an Artistic director for Matrix, no working exclusively on L’Oreal Access, a global digital education initiative that allows hairdressers to get education in the palm of their hand, 24/7 365 days of the year.

“I’m not really comfortable being known as an influencer, I’d rather be remembered as someone who shared their skills without expectation and hoped that by doing so it would encourage others to do the same” – Adam Ciaccia 2023

Justin Pace 

Justin Pace is one of Australia’s quintessential hairdressers – three decades’ experience rendering him one of Australia’s Top Hairdressers (cited by Harper’s BAZAAR.)

Justin has worked for Redken as a National Hair Director at Mercedes-Benz and Afterpay Fashion Week Australia – Adaptive Clothing Collective, Bassike, Justin Cassin, Huntrlnd and Mariam Seddiq – and amongst the Creative Team for Bec and Bridge, We Are Kindred and Karla Spetic.

Justin has also worked for Redken as an International and National Artist and Educator: to date, internationally in New York, Las Vegas, London, Singapore, Canada and New Zealand; nationally in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth (plus regional centres.)

Twice awarded Hair Expo Awards’ Australian Colour Technician of the Year (amongst other category honours), Justin’s winning collections have been showcased in a host of international / national publications: Estetica Magazine, Salon Magazine, Focus on Hair, Colour World, Trends International Hairstyle Magazine, Frisor, Fashion Weekly Magazine, Instyle Magazine and Image Magazines. In addition, Co and Pace Salons – Justin’s current undertaking – has just been awarded AHIA’s Best In-Salon Training, 2022.

Mat Johnson

After hairdressing for 19 years, I am very proud to say that I have been a business owner for 15 years and have just recently opened my second location in Adelaide MJ Hair. I own a wig brand called MJ Premium Wigs where I make wigs for clients and celebrities all over the world, especially in the music industry. I have a niche market creating custom wigs for people with alopecia / undergoing cancer treatment, replicating their own hair so that way they can feel like themselves while going through a tough journey.

I have been blessed to be part of the Matrix design team for nearly 12, the Matrix global team for 9 years, the Intercoiffure fashion team for 14 years and Intercoiffure global team for 12 years. Having the pivelage to be part of these amazing teams I have worked on stage in NZ, China – 7 cities, Singapore, Japan – 3 cities, Taiwan – 5 cities, South Africa, NYC, Vegas, Jakarta, Switzerland, Paris, Rome, Spain and Dubai.

I love my craft, I love our industry, I love business and I am proud to be a hairdresser.

Prior to my hairdressing, I was 5 times Australian Champion figure skater and I had the privilege of representing Australia at the 2002 Junior World Figure Skating Championships in Zagreb, Croatia. I was Aladdin in Aladdin on Ice and Prince Charming in Cinderella on Ice and Sleeping Beauty on Ice, doing ice shows gave me the opportunity to travel the world and learn many life skills. Being a professional athlete taught me about hard work, goals, respect and determination, which now I apply to my life and business.

Accolades:

AHAFA SA Hairdresser of the year finalist x 3
Hair Expo SA Hairdresser of the year finalist x 2
AHFA Hair shot of the year finalist
AHFA Hair fashion video of the year finalist
Intercoiffure global artist
Foundation Guillaume Global Board
Great Lengths Ambassador
Matrix Design Team
Matrix Global Artist

Claudia Cataldo

Claudia was born into a legacy of hairdressers and what was once her playground as a child, Canberra’s international award winning salon Cataldo hair, is now her work environment and has been for over 2 decades, As Director of Cataldo’s Salon she takes charge of cultivating the next generation of stylists by developing the training schedule for apprentices and emerging stylists, while studying a Diploma in Leadership and Management.

In 2022 she was the winner of the longest running live colour competition in the world: the L’Oréal Professionnel Style & Colour Trophy for Australia and her French chic inspired look launched her onto the international winner’s podium as the 3rd Australian to take out the overall international 1st place L’Oréal Professionnel Style & Colour Trophy and into the pages of Marie Claire magazine. Now in 2023 she has become a member of the Fame Team and as a final feather in her cap this year she will also be amongst and elite industry experts, as 1 of 8 Judges for the L’Oréal Professionnel Style & Colour Trophy Australia 23.