Nikki Pittam
STYLIST / COLORIST / CO-OWNER
Nikki Pittam has been in the industry for 13 years. She started her career with a world class education. Studying at Vidal Sassoon, The house of Bumble and becoming a Schwarzkopf Professional certified educator. Her many accomplishments include working as a master educator, art director, NAHA nominated and an award winning manager. When she moved to New York she began working as a freelance stylist for editorial shoots and TV. Her life brought her back home to the west-coast and she is now an Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional, traveling and spreading powerful hair knowledge and inspiration internationally. She has worked on countless runway shows and editorial shoots in Los Angeles and is ready to share with the industry all she has to offer. Working with clients is a constant source of inspiration to her. She loves to give her guests an effortless chic look and tips on how to create the desired style themselves.
Follow @nikkipittam
Q: What do you think is your best quality?
— I am extremely patient.
Q: What’s your favorite place in the world?
— Thailand
Q: What do you like about doing hair?
— I like making people feel beautiful.
Nicole Hartmann
STYLIST / COLORIST / CO-OWNER
Born into a family of hairdressers, Nicole grew up surrounded by hair and fashion. One of her biggest influences, when it comes to style, was her mom. Her red lips, red nails and outrageous clothes - she was exciting and different. As I got older the more I came to appreciate her sense of style and she has influenced my life every day with her mantra 'Why fit in if you're born to stand out!'
Nicole is a celebrity stylist and colorist from Munich Germany where she started her career working throughout Europe. She has a Master's degree in hairdressing which allows her to open salons throughout Europe but Los Angeles has been her home since 2000. She started working for Schwarzkopf USA as an ambassador and later Fashion Director until 2014. Nicole has worked at numerous high-end salons until the love of hairdressing and the desire to create her own brand has led her to become co-owner at the renowned HARPER Salon in Los Angeles. She has worked on TV shows like Americas next top model, She's got the look, Bad Girls Club and Plain Jane. Nicole has also worked on and keyed shows for Betsey Johnson, Valentino, Sue Wong, Kara Laricks, Son Jung Wan, Ina Soltani and many others in New York and Los Angeles.
Whether Nicole is on set for cover shoots or back stage working on music videos, her demeanor never changes. She is fun-loving, outgoing, wickedly talented and is inspired by her craft.
Follow @nicohair
Q: If you could be anyone dead or alive who would you be?
— David Bowie
Q: What advice would you give to someone you saw going down the same path?
— Be the person you want to be best friends with!
Q: What’s your biggest accomplishment? In your career? Or your life?
— I'm proud of moving to LA from Germany with absolutely no money, living paycheck to paycheck but saying Yes to every opportunity, building a career I love and making amazing friends.
— Opening HARPER
Carla Gentile
STYLIST / CO-OWNER
Carla Gentile is a highly respected Los Angeles hair stylist credited with developing the Original Steam Treatment®, the ultimate in professional scalp and hair treatments. In recognition of her ability to work with all hair types and consistencies, she has been described as a master stylist, curly hair expert, and hair anthropologist who believes creativity is best expressed through movement, and there is no better movement than through the hair. Her “aging gracefully” philosophy supports a positive alternative to the notion of “anti- aging” and the warped sense of extreme beauty affiliated with certain aspects in our modern culture. Gentile’s work is emblematic of “beauty from within” and it is thanks to the support of her large and devoted following from clients of all ages that enabled her to develop the Steam Creams and Oils® aromatherapy based product line. She has appeared in numerous “make-over” television spots, styled many editorials and led the creative teams for several designer fashion shows. Gentile began her career by training at the Vidal Sassoon Academy both in London and Chicago with additional education in Consciousness Studies at Goddard College: Progressive Education for Creative Minds. “It doesn’t matter what industry you are in, being open minded and willing to learn at any age is the most important part of it." After owning Steam Salon for 11 years, and taking a short break to travel and feed her creative energy, Carla is excited to be part of the HARPER Adventure where she will continue to grow Steam® products and help raise the bar in the industry she was born to be in.
Follow @carlagentileday
Q: What’s the one thing you want people to know about you?
— That I care.
Q: What advice would you give to someone you saw going down the same path?
— Take a breath and be truthful to who you really are and who you see yourself being; and just be it!
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
— Hang out with my hubby and dream.
Greg Ruiz
SALON COORDINATOR
Greg is a California native, born and raised in LA. From a young age he was drawn to all things creative and beauty related. Greg completed fashion school and quickly realized his passion for the beauty industry. He has more than 10 years of experience in management & event coordinator both in LA & SF! Working in high end salons for the last 10 years, clients have come to recognize Greg’s voice through his pleasant, consistent and memorable customer service. He’s so thrilled to be apart of the Harper family!
Q: What do you like about being around hair and hairdressers?
— Meeting so many amazing people from different walks of life. The stories I’ve heard & relationships I’ve built is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
Q: What has been your biggest struggle and what have you learned from it?
— The biggest struggle I’ve encountered thus far is moving to San Francisco and discovering my own career path. It taught me to be strong, know my worth & value my time.
Q: What advice would you give to someone you saw going down the same path?
— We all have our own path so listen to your instincts. Treat others the way you want to be treated and respected.
Fernando Baldonado
COLORIST
Fernando Baldonado is a pioneer of advanced hair coloring and natural straightening systems. As an ambassador of the Zerran Hair Care Company, he educates stylists throughout the US on semi-permanent, vegan smoothing systems. Fernando also specializes in gentle hair coloring techniques and is known for his emphasis on transformative care for aging hair. Always at the vanguard of products, he seeks new and better formulas that not only transform his ability but improve the life of his clientele. Culling from the wide cultures that make up Hollywood and its environs, he draws an international and intergenerational clientele of not only celebrities but artists and people of the real world. His interests in mentoringcolorists and stylists has led him to educate in salons and on stage with various international companies. An easy presence and knowledge has featured him in multiple television shows and magazines.
Follow @haircolorbyfernandob
Q: If you could be anybody, dead or alive, who would you be?
— Leonardo da Vinci
Q: What would be your trip of a lifetime?
— Visiting the seven wonders of the ancient world via time travel.
Q: Name one of your hair icons.
— Whomever did Madame de Pompadour's hair and Vidal Sassoon.
Lesley Peck
COLORIST
Lesley Peck is a SoCal native, she grew up in sunny California and has worked in Beverly Hills/West Hollywood since 2006. Being inspired by the laid-back lifestyle, she adopted a surfer mentality that has transformed into her work. Lesley's balayage technique gives her clients a sun kissed glow that illuminates their skin tone, with the bonus of having it be low maintenance. Her effortless style of texture and movement has graced many of Hollywood's elite. She specializes in the hand-painting technique of balayage and was trained by celebrity colorists Dani H and Dawn Tracey. Lesley's client list includes: Rachel Zoe, Lea Michele, Odette Annabelle, Lauren Bosworth and Megan Park to name a few.
Follow @mspeckgraham
Q: What’s your favorite place in the world?
— On vacation in Capri with my man.
Q: If you could be anyone dead or alive who would you be?
— Marilyn Monroe
Q: What do you like about doing hair?
— I love adding to someones confidence. Its very rewarding to make someones day.
Tomo Ochi
STYLIST
Tomo's attitude and dexterity help bring a fresh and unique style to his work. He was first introduced to the beauty industry at his aunt's infamous "Venus" salon in Ehime, Japan, where he was taught traditional eastern techniques. Despite success and growth in his native country, Tomo decided to move to the USA to help elevate his career and artistic approach by working in upscale salons in Los Angeles. Tomo prides himself on listening to each and every client to find out what they are looking for, and he creates wearable styles that make them feel strong and beautiful in their daily lives.
"Success and knowledge is achieved by overcoming hardship, through self-discipline, and through personal striving for a perfection that one knows is not possible but remains a worthy goal." — Tomo
Follow @jipang33
Q: What advice would you give to someone you saw going down the same path?
— To network all the time.
Q: Whats your favorite place in the world?
— My home in Japan.
Q: What do you think your best qualities are?
— Loyal, patient, honest
Valerie Stoneking
STYLIST
Valerie Stoneking has been in the hair industry over 20 years. She started her career in Cleveland Ohio and then moved to New York City. Valerie worked at Bumble and Bumble finishing a vigorous training program in haircutting. She also worked alongside many acclaimed hairdressers like Max Pinnell, Laurent Philippon, Ward, Howard and Raymond Mclaren doing photo shoots and fashion shows. After moving to Los Angeles in2003, Valerie worked at Steam salon where she created looks for numerous fashion and editorial shoots and became an educator for Bumble and Bumble as well as Steam. After 8 years she moved to Prive Salon to continue her hairdressing career and is now an invaluable member and Master Stylist at HARPER Salon.
Follow @valeriestonekinghair
Q: Who’s your celebrity crush?
— David Bowie, Ewan McGregor
Q: What’s the one thing you want people to know about you?
— I'm a picky eater, you never know who will invite you to dinner.
Q: What do you think is your best quality?
— I'm double jointed in my arms. I wish my parents put me in the circus as a child.
James Carameta
STYLIST
James Carameta hails from New England and has been a stylist in Los Angeles since 1998. James is an expert technician and artist, specializing in the French cutting technique that he mastered during his apprenticeship with Frédéric Fekkai. James success stems from his attention to detail as he crafts looks that complement the hair texture, face shape and lifestyle of each individual client. With James, consultation is key. Carefully listening before services begin ensures an impeccable style. He has created looks for magazines, television, movies and music videos, but spends most of his time in the salon where he is truly in his element. Before embarking upon his career in hair design, James received a bachelor's degree in music performance from Michigan State University. He has had several dance remixes commercially released and enjoys making music in his spare time.
Follow @jamescarameta
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
— Making music, writing/producing
Q: What cartoon character do you relate to?
— Superman, because he's a bad-ass, he has his mild-mannered alter ego and he has blue streaks in his hair.
Q: Cats or Dogs?
— I love them both, especially when they're cuddly and social.
Tina Jones
COLORIST
Growing up in family of hairdressers, Tina was inspired to get into the same craft and determined to become the best at it. The LA native started her career in 1989 apprenticing for Vidal Sassoon in Beverly Hills. Her love for education led her to become an educator for Joico and Aveda for many years. She continued her professional path at Doyle Wilson Salon and later at Steam Salon before she became one of HARPER'S most sought after Colorists. Tina's strong-suit is her range, her colors can whisper or shout but she is really known for her meticulous work and her ability to customize color to compliment her clients skin tone, face-shape and personality.
Follow @tinakiyomi15
Q: What’s the one thing you want people to know about you?
— I’m really fun once I have a martini.
Q: What do you think is your best quality?
— I think my best quality is being a good friend.
Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
— Omg. I am a TV monster too… I can’t pick one! Game of Thrones, Ray Donovan, Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black, Homeland.
Matt Kwasny
COLORIST
Matt has been a colorist and and extension specialist since 2008. He trained at Fredrick Fekkai and Sally Hershberger and later continued his career at Steam Salon and Prive. Matt specializes in the balayage highlighting technique and finds his inspiration in hair color patterns found in children and naturally sun lightened hair. He also specializes in extension and uses them to add volume and length while matching them seamlessly to the natural hair. If you are a guest of Matt's at HARPER Salon you will leave feeling sexy and glamorous with soft, luminous, shiny hair.
Follow @matthewryanhair
Q: What do you think is your best quality?
— My sense of humor!
Q: If you could be anyone, dead or alive, who would you be?
— Anna Wintour
Q: Whats your biggest accomplishment?
— My biggest career accomplishment was making the list as one of the top 30 Colorists in the US under 30.
Kareen Boursier
STYLIST / COLORIST
French born Kareen Boursier's clientele has included Sharon Stone, Andy McDowell, Sandra Bullock, Rene Russo, Lauren Hutton, Isabella Rossellini, Drew Barrymore, Richard Gere and Pierce Brosnan. Her hair and makeup artistry has appeared in fashion magazines such as In Style, Vanity Fair, Italian Elle and W. Kareen has also lent her talent to films like Get Shorty, Tin Cup, Lethal Weapon 4, Ransom and The Thomas Crown Affair. Working in the exclusive HARPER Salon in Los Angeles, Kareen styles women and men of all paths while continuing her freelance career.
Q: What’s your favorite place in the world?
— Where I am right now...
Q: Describe yourself in one sentence?
— So french… I’m joking, I have no idea!
Q: If you could be anyone dead or alive who would you be?
— Gandhi
Gretchen Waldron
COLORIST
Gretchen Waldron is a born and raised valley girl who is passionate about all things color. With a knack for blonding, her ultimate goal is to give you the hair you’ve always dreamed of while still protecting its integrity. Having a diverse group of mentors, she is well rounded in balayage and foil techniques which makes for a truly customizable color experience. She is a loving mother to her two cat sons Ravioli and Cornbread and welcomes any and all animal pictures that you may have to share. She looks forward to seeing you in her chair and helping you to feel your most beautiful and authentic self.
Follow gretchdoescolor
Q: What do you like about your career?
— Having a theatre arts background I’ve always known that I wanted to do something creative and I feel so fortunate to have found that in hair. I am very lucky to get to make people feel beautiful and express myself artistically at the same time!
Q: What’s your biggest accomplishment? In your career? Or your life?
— I think my greatest accomplishment was recognizing that I was unhappy in my previous career and having the courage to restart my life and invest in myself. So happy to be a hairstylist and have a career I’m happy to show up at every day.
Q: What would be your trip of a lifetime?
— I would love to do a safari in Africa — or just margaritas on the beach somewhere. Honestly either one.
Tats Hasegawa
COLORIST
Tats started his path to hairdressing as a receptionist at a japanese hair salon and got inspired to become a Colorist himself. He apprenticed at Vidal Sassoon in Los Angeles and later worked in London at the Sassoon academy for years. In 1992 he got an opportunity to work for the renowned Doyle Wilson Salon in Beverly Hills and also became an educator for Aveda. His passion for Color led him to start working at Steam Salon for 11 years before he became an expert colorist and essential member at Harper Salon where he is known for his blondes, his impeccable foiling technique and color placement.
Q: Whats your favorite band?
— Depeche Mode and Foo Fighters
Q: How do you find inspiration?
— Hipster street fashion and all around the world.
Q: What has been your biggest struggle?
— Taxes, I'm still struggling.
Sandra Showers
STYLIST
Since learning to french braid from a neighbor as a little girl, Sandra began her lifelong passion in hairdressing starting with her education at Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica. Her love of haircutting has manifested into a clientele who love her passion of her craft as well as her infectious desire to help them feel their best with each visit. Not only does she love the challenge of creating a clean bob, she is also known for truly understanding curly hair and enjoys a loose finish by being a master at razor cuts when the texture of hair and style calls for it. Sandra’s success behind the chair as a stylist, as well as an educator, has lead to her traveling the country educating for Aveda. Not only facilitating haircutting classes but taking part in production of Aveda Master Jams and Congress. Always wanting to be as much a student as an educator, Sandra finds great happiness in striving to be one of the best in her industry.
Follow @sandrashowershair
Q: What’s your favorite place in the world?
— Italy!
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
— Spend time with my son, watching him play sports, bake, and organize events.
Q: What’s you favorite TV show?
— Younger, This Is Us, A Million Little Things
Philippe Polo
STYLIST
Philippe Polo launched his career in Lyon, France. Straight out of beauty school his talent attracted some of the most famous names in French hair salons. Jean Louis David and Jacques Dessanges International. His reputation continued to grow, and soon Jean Louis Deforges recruited him to manage his biggest salon in Paris, St. Germain Des Pres. For five years Philippe taught the latest haircutting techniques to aspiring artists. Seeking wider experience and new inspiration, he brought his skills to New York. He worked with Jose Eber and Privé salon and building up a celebrity clientele. Lured by yet another top-notch French hairdresser, Frédéric Fekkai, he continued to move west, landing in Beverly Hills where he soon built a diverse celebrity following that includes Chris Botti, Gustavo Dudamel, Christina Cox, The Beatles Paul McCartney, Heather Mills McCartney, Entertainer Bleona Qereti, Sigourney Weaver, Claire Danes, Jonah Hill, TV producer Darren Star, Wayne Gretzky, Actress Dianne Lane, Singer Virginia Da Cunha, Mischa Barton, and Nicky Hilton. Since he's been in Los Angeles, he is spreading his talent at some of industries best salon's. Sally Hershberger, Frederic Fekkai and Prive to name a few.He's joined fellow Prive stylist, Nicole Hartmann, Co-Owner of the new Harper Salon on Melrose and remains one of LA’s beloved talented stylists.
Follow @philippepolo
Q:What do you think is your best quality?
— Honesty
Q:What is your biggest accomplishment?
— Moving to the U.S.
Q:Who is your celebrity crush?
— Angelina Jolie
Ashley Hart
COLORIST
Growing up in northern California, Ashley always wanted to experience different cultures and city life. Her first step was moving to New York City. Working as a receptionist at Bumble & Bumble, Rita Hazan and Arrojo was her first introduction into the Hair world. The stylists and colorists sparked her creative side and inspired her to become a hairdresser herself. Ashley moved back to Los Angeles to pursue her dream in fashion, art and hairdressing. After receiving her cosmetology license, she started assisting Matthew Shields at Sally Hershberger and Garrett Markenson. From a very young age, Ashley has been attracted to the art of color and color analysis. It only seemed natural that she followed her passion and became a colorist. Continuing her career at Harper Salon in Los Angeles she has been coloring the locks of the most influential people in town. Luxurious and bohemian are two words to describe Ashley’s signature style. In her eyes, the right hair-color is one of the most important accessories a woman or man can have.
Follow @ashleyharthair
Q: What do you like about doing hair?
— Creating something beautiful in an artistic way on a human canvas.
Q: What do you think your best quality is?
— I’m very charismatic.
Q: If you could be anyone, dead or alive, who would you be?
— Audrey Hepburn
Paige Gallagher
Esthetician
Paige Gallagher is an L.A. native, born and raised in Burbank. Growing up in the performing arts, she knew early on she wanted to express herself and have her voice heard in all things related to beauty. The desire to help others being confident in their own skin led her to a career in esthetics. Paige graduated from the Academy for Salon Professionals with an even deeper appreciation and love for the industry. She has a passion for skin care and enjoys sharing her knowledge with her clients. Paige also mastered the art of lash extensions and enhancements, eyebrow lamination and shaping, along with all facial waxing services. As a guest of Paige’s at Harper Salon you’ll receive a fully customized service that will leave you feeling relaxed, confident, and glowing both inside and out.
Follow @paigetayloresthetics
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment?
— My biggest accomplishment has been growing into the women I am today and loving the process of always working to be the best version of myself
Q: What advice would you give to someone you saw going down the same path?
— Stay true to your passion and never stop learning.
Q: What cartoon character do you relate to?
— Tinkerbell
Sonia Linares
LITTLE MAMA
Q: What do you like to do for fun?
— Cumbia dancing
Q: Who’s your celebrity crush?
— Sean Connery as James Bond
Q: What’s the one thing you want people to know about you?
— I’m the Mama to them all.
Q: What’s your favorite place in the world?
— El Salvador
Q: Cats or Dogs?
— Dogs!