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Caterina Di Biase, Owner/Director of Heading Out Hair & Beauty is an extraordinarily accomplished artistic director, educator, mentor, and one of the most in-demand and recognised hairdressers in the country. With a big reputation for her talent, passion, and commitment to the hair and beauty industry, Caterina is a hair fashion leader and educator of the next generation of talent. Caterina has been awarded Australia’s top honours as Australian Hairdresser of the Year four times, as well as Hair Expo Educator of the Year five times. Over the course of her career, Caterina has been Winner or Finalist of the highest hair fashion awards in Australia (and overseas), no less than 93 times!

Nicole Lamers, a trailblazer in the hairstyling realm for over a decade, wears multiple hats as the proud owner and creative force behind the esteemed Revampd Hair Studio. Fueled by a profound affinity for both nature and hair, she recently expanded her horizons into creating her own haircare range, birthing the opulent eco-conscious brand, Aer Haircare.

With a rich tapestry of experiences spanning over 20 years in the industry, Nicole’s passion radiates through her creative endeavors and commitment to education. Her illustrious career boasts numerous accolades, including Finalist for WA Hairdresser of the Year, Hotshot Visionary, and the coveted WA/NT Salon of the Year award. Her advocacy for eco-friendly practices has also earned her recognition as a Finalist for Eco Salon of the Year.

Clive has been in the industry for over 37 years, from starting his apprenticeship with Toni & Guy in their original Mayfair London salon in the 1980s. Working alongside his mentors Dennis Langford & the four Mascolo brothers. Clive also lived and worked in Hong Kong for Le Salon group for 2 years. He moved to Sydney in the mid-90s to undertake the role of Artistic Director at Tony & Guy Australia. In 2001 Clive moved to LA and accepted the position of the Global Creative Director for KMS. A role that saw him traveling the world working on all areas of KMS shows, education programs, and international photographic brand campaigns.

Over the past 14 years, Clive has Co-owned Our Place Salon in Potts Point SYD with his business partner Kelly Grant. During this time Clive continues to showcase his cutting educational skills today with brands such as Muk & Paul Mitchell. Alongside his own private bespoke education sessions. You can attend Clive’s cutting education sessions by booking tickets through Piloroo.com which as it happens, he also Co-founded with his business partner Kelly.

Nicole Healy is the visionary founder of @melbournehairblogger and the pioneering social media coach behind @social.salon.school. Hailing from Melbourne and a proud mum of two, Nicole launched Melbourne Hair Blogger in 2015, transforming her passion for hairdressing into a powerful social media presence.

In 2017/18, she broke new ground as Australia’s first social media coach for hairdressers by opening Social Salon School. With a distinguished 16-year career as an award-winning hairdresser, Nicole has dedicated herself to teaching over 3,000 hairdressers worldwide the art of social media.

Specialising in Instagram for hairdressers, Nicole has amassed a following of over 120,000 across her social media platforms. Her expertise and innovative approach continue to inspire and empower hairdressers globally.

There are hairdressers, and then there is Benni Tognini; the man who has inspired an entire generation of stylists, and the original power house behind the TOGNINIS brand. Considered the godfather of avant garde hairdressing, Benni is an enigma in the world of high fashion hairdressing, shying away from the bright lights of celebrity and stardom that have taken him all over the world.

With a string of international accolades, including World Master of the Craft, you are more likely to find Benni training and inspiring the next generation of stylists coming through than schmoozing it up at the latest nightclub opening. His dynamic mind and uncompromising commitment to technical excellence and innovation has put Benni at the top of his game.

An artisan and an educator, Benni is a man driven by a passion to succeed in an industry that embodies his very essence.

Meet Simon Doyle, Senior Barber @area_studio_ & Educator @babylissproau @4barbersau

Hailing in from Dublin, Ireland. He began his journey in hair in 2016 and has since then formulated his own skillset and unique style. Simon has lived abroad and traveled Europe building a name for himself before making the leap to Australia!

For the past 2 years he has been working in Melbourne alongside the team at AREA Studio and establishing himself in the Men’s hair education space. Travelling to every major city in Australia sharing his knowledge, value & insights.

Simon was a 2023 AMBA finalist in the category for Australian Modern Barber of the year and has just recently joined the BaBylissPro Education team alongside 4BarbersAU.

Innovation is not a pre-requisite for success. Many can survive and be successful without innovation. Rarely causing disruption they swim in the direction of the status quo. Then there are those who like to shake it up a little, ruffle a few feathers, because for them playing the innovation card might just turn the mediocre into the magnificent.

Enter Gary Latham a change maker who has instigated a significant shift in hairdressing education via the championing of community-based learning. Inspired by a genre somewhat removed from the traditional classroom, and drawing from his own personal experience as a Stand Up Comedian, Gary Latham Co-Director of Wild Life created Open Mic Night

Dave, with 30 years of experience, heads up the education department at Wild Life Hair. He sets the standards for cutters success with his focus on precision and skill. Recognised as one of Sydney’s most sought after stylists, with his own signature style.

@davemccullochhair

@wildlifehairexperience

Kristina Russell | @colourkristina

Kristina Russell is a renowned Hair Colour Specialist, the go-to expert for Redheads or anyone wanting to explore shades of red. Kristina understands the challenges of perfecting red hair colour. Her breakthrough came when she revisited her Art School notes and developed a unique approach to Creative Colour Theory and flipped the teachings into hairdresser lingo. Her world-renowned strategies and techniques have revolutionised how hairdressers achieve consistent, beautiful reds, coppers, and strawberry blondes.

With over 25 years of experience, Kristina’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including Australian Hair Expo Colour Technician of the Year in 2010 and finalist for the Australian Hair Industry Awards for Independent Educator of the Year in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Kristina helps hairdressers create stunning red hair colours without the usual f*ck-ups, including hot roots and banding, across any brand and salon. And if a colour mishap occurs, she provides strategies to fix it before the client notices. As a pioneer in hair education, she launched the first podcast by a hair colourist, “Colour Kristina Talks.”

She also advocates for LGBTQIA+ inclusivity as the Australian Ambassador for the Dresscode Project, training hairdressers to offer gender-affirming hair services with gender-free terminology. Kristina offers in-person workshops, in-salon training, and online courses, providing comprehensive education to hairdressers at all levels.

Jake Putan | @whoisjakeputan

Jake Putan, an artist at heart, merged his creativity with a career in hair and began running education workshops for various brands around Australia. As time went on, he noticed himself being drawn closer and closer to sharing the things that felt more authentic to his heart and his vision of what he wanted to bring to the world. Connecting to his own personal gifts, he now shares with others how to stand out from the crowd, do the unconventional, and spread their message. Jake Putan brings innovation and impact to reimagine the future of business and leadership.