“It’s so exciting connecting with a new educator that has inventive ideas and fresh experiences. I was blown away when my father first took me to see Vidal Sassoon, and to be honest, I still get as excited when I discover a teacher with an inspiring approach to sharing,” explains Sam Villa, co-founder and chief creative officer of Sam Villa and global artistic ambassador for Redken. Sam Villa has added six bold new educators with exciting personalities and skills to their education roster for 2023, which includes free weekly Facebook Live classes and shorter YouTube tutorials. A complete catalogue of customizable education for salons, shows, and events, including Thrive On, is available here.
“Each of these educators was handpicked for their exceptional approach to the art of teaching and we’re really excited for everyone to meet them!” adds Villa.
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Jamie DiGrazia (@jamiedigrazia)
NAHA Award Winner
Redken Artist
Owner of Logan Parlor Salon
Consultant for Hair Has No Gender™ (@hair_has_no_gender), creating inclusive salon experiences through nongendered practices, like gender-free pricing and gender-affirming consultations.
Areas of expertise: short shapes, barber-inspired cuts, color blocking, gender-affirming care, all hair types, all curl patterns, and editorial photo shoots.
"There is no limit to the creative and financial freedom we can have in this industry. The same goes for the amount we can learn and grow. Ongoing education is the key to success in this business."
Joe Chesbro (@joe_chesbro)
Redken Artist
Owner of Platinum Salon and Suites
Areas of expertise: design and finishing
“I’ve been a part of providing education in our industry for many years. It has evolved in several ways, but mostly in how we deliver information to stylists. Sam Villa has been a driving force and an innovator behind changing how we access training to stay on top of our game. I’m honored to join Sam’s team and help hairdressers discover how to use their tools to create anything the clients ask for.”
Justin Michael Parra (@justinmichaelparra)
Stylist at The Cutting Edge Salon
Areas of expertise: fades, pixies and shorter cuts, and vivids/fashion colors
Heavily influenced by music
“Our industry is constantly evolving, and I truly feel that the hairstylist is finally being recognized as a ‘hair artist.’ My passion is to educate and inspire the true creative in every stylist and I’m honored to be joining the Sam Villa team!”
Kyleen Garcia (@kyleen.garcia)
Redken Artist
Owner of Union Street Salon
Host of Detangled podcast
Areas of expertise: vivids/fashion color, lived in blondes, and shorter lengths
“Sam Villa has always been my biggest inspiration, not only as a stylist, but as an educator as well. My passion is sharing information that is relevant and applicable for the modern hairdresser. I’m extremely excited and honored to join this team of brilliant educators to help inspire growth in others!”
Molly Getz (@mollygetz)
Redken Artist
Stylist at Soto Signature Salon & Spa
Host of Detangled podcast
Areas of expertise: shorter length cuts, finishing, and business
Inspired by growing salon pros for a living
“My true passion is elevating hair education by offering innovative ways to get the message out to anyone who wants it. Sam Villa has always [played] and continues to play an integral role in my own development as a stylist and educator, and I am humbled and excited to be joining his team!”
Sami Skinner (@samiskinnerhair)
Redken Artist
An entrepreneur here to inspire and create
Areas of expertise: blonding, vivids, razor and shear work, working with shears to get a razor look, dry cutting and airy voluminous shapes, hand styling, and iron work
Design and color certified
“Sam Villa has been a huge inspiration in my career behind the chair and in my teaching. To join this team and help represent his brand is a colossal honor.”
Hot Education Topics for 2023
Hybrid haircuts from the very short to the very long, including gender-neutral styles will continue to evolve. Some standouts are:
- Bixie and Mixie hybrid shag variations with structured perimeter lines and floating internal layers
- Face-framing shaggy bowl cuts
- Chin-length box bobs
- Micro pixies
- Middle-of-the-back, long, round layers
Most will be paired with eye framing curtain fringes or brow grazing block fringe to offset longer layers or add interesting accents to shorter hair. And deep side parts will be an option to switch up existing looks without too much change.
Texture will continue to rule with half damp and half dry finishes, celebrating natural curl, and creating new textures with hot tools, especially single and double wavers and hot brushes because they are easy to use and deliver rapid results.
Sam Villa is co-founder and chief creative officer of the Sam Villa Company (Allvus, LLC), a leading education and styling tool company for the professional hair industry. He is also global artistic ambassador for Redken 5th Avenue, a L’Oreal brand. Villa is the 2021 NAHA Educator of the Year, Hair Awards USA Hall of Fame Inductee, 2021 AHP Icon Stylist Influencer of the Year, 2020 International Hairdressing Awards ‘International Hair Influencer of the Year,’ the 2017 NAHA Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Intercoiffure America/Canada Member, Behind the Chair Stylist Choice Award Winner for Favorite Platform Artist and Educator (2012, 2011 and 2007) and Favorite Overall Educator of the Year (2015). His inspiring education and innovative ergonomic styling tools can be experienced on samvilla.com. The company also offers professional tools for consumers so they can achieve salon-quality results at home with minimal effort.