Alfie Wilkerson

Alfie Wilkerson

Specialties: Salon Manager
Studio(s): Beverly & Broadway

Raised in the bushes of hippy-dippy Northern California, I set my sights on the "Lauren Conrad-less Hills" of Hollywood at a very young age. And after a brief stint at USC, I made the "bald" leap to venture out and finish my degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before transplanting my tush back in the City of Victoria's Angels. That's when I discovered our studio and to be honest, I haven't looked back. In my not so frequent spare time, I indulge myself by creating new dance routines to Single Ladies and I can give a mean French Manicure. By all means, go ahead and ask Aubrey.

DNA Spotlight


I’d bet my official LA hipster card that you will fall under one of these two categories:  1.) you’ve managed to navigate the world wide web  in a desperate effort to, once and for all, find a stylist to call your own.  Or 2.) that you’ve returned to our sultry blog (if I may be so inclined to say) to keep tabs on not only what’s new on the hair front, but with your stylist and the DNA family as well.   Either way, welcome!


When co-owners Danny and Aubrey (hence DnA) opened the Santa Monica location four years ago, the challenge was set to create a space that offered individuals the ability to be truly transformed, both inside and out.  Our mission statement reads, “. . .that every service and every product is intended to uplift and inspire our clients to their own personal greatness.” We work by that motto every.single.day and I’ve seen that epiphany exercised by both our staff and our patrons alike.  I don’t think The Guys ever could have possibly imagined the response that they’ve received in this short time since fruition.  What I hear day in and day out (and what I’m most proud of) is that feeling of familiar and comfort.  When you walk through one of our glass doors, you can be certain that you will be cared for.  There is this sense of familial extension that I feel is lacking in this industry, especially in Los Angeles.   Thankfully we’re setting the bar and it feels so good.  


Now it would only take a couple clicks on this site to dig a little deeper into the lives of our hair artists by reading their personal rumblings, but I wanted to take this opportunity to showcase a couple of peeps behind the scenes.  [Cue lights and the Stage Door]   Enter both Vanessa and Mackenzie.  Now these two gals helm our Front Desks; the former @ Beverly and the latter @ Broadway.  Their names might not be at first recognizable, but I’m certain their voices are.  I cannot express to you how beyond lucky we are to have found them both and could not imagine the salon running as smoothly and as cheerfully without either of them.   Now with that being said, let’s indulge in this little exercise I like to call “Let’s Get to Know. . .”


VANESSA@ BeverlyVanessa 7


Vanessa 9Vanessa 4

In the short time that we have been graced with her presence, I can with confidence state that anyone who meets her, falls in LOVE with her.  She’s quirky, spunky, has an amazing sense of humor, and still manages to remain sweet as pie.  An admirable feat considering the town we live in.  How is that possible? 


I decided to ask the gal with the Julia Roberts smile her take on fashion and hair  trends, and what it’s like to be a Midwestern transplant in Twinkle-town. 


Alfie:  I feel like I’ve know you forever, albeit only a few months, and I’ve always considered you to have this innate ability to mix classic with bohemian tendencies.  Think Audrey Hepburn meets Annie Hall.  Is that an accurate assessment or would you call this bull?  If you were to sum yourself up in a few words, how would you describe YOU?

 

Vanessa:  I’d like to think that’s accurate. J  Audrey Hepburn has been my fashion icon ever since I was really little and saw “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” for the first time.  I would sya, I’m feminine and flirty and, of course, artsy. 


Alfie:  I see you as a down home Ohio country girl with old Hollywood tastes.

 

Vanessa:  I think that would be me to the T.  Born and raised in Dayton, OH.  But I’d always watch all the classics with  my parents.  I mean I was named after Vanessa Redgrave and my brother was named after Prince Charles.  So, that’s the kind of family I was raised in. 


Alfie:  You’re incredibly talented (she’s an actress) and undeniably intelligent (call the salon and see for yourself), but aside from that, I’ve always been curious to see how people actually see themselves.  So if you don’t mind getting a little less Chopra with me, How would you describe your coif?  And your sense of style?

Vanessa 5

 

Vanessa:  My coif.  I love soft, natural curls that kind of frame my face.  My sense of style. . . I am a sucker for short skirts and tall boots.  But I love outfits that are girly and make me feel attractive, ya know?


Alfie:  Like it or not, trends have permeated our culture.  One might say LA is a perfect showcase for what’s “In.”   What trend, whether it is hair or clothing, do you find absolutely revolting and which do you find yourself secretly ripping out pages from the latest Vogue for inspiration? 

 

Vanessa:  I dislike the bad boy greaser look that I see a little too often (mostly just around Melrose).  I don’t know if it’s cool right now or not, but it’s definitely NOT CUTE.  I love loose, flowing tops paired with tighter fitting bottoms.  I think it’s like saying, “I’m attractive and I don’t have to try too hard,” which is nice. 



 

Vanessa 10Alfie:  Helming the Front Desk week after week, I’m sure you’ve observed a few hair do’s and don’ts (of course, before one of our talented artists get a hold of them). What would you say is Hair-to-Die-for this season?  And what would you rather see left behind? 

 

Vanessa:  I keep seeing client after client coming in with these massive frizzballs.  I know frizz is rarely ever a “wanted” hairstylie, but I feel I should reiterate “Lose the Frizz!.”  I love seeing what the stylists come up with when coloring.  I’ve seen so many beautiful highlights from natural sun-touched to edgy and piecey.  If I were a little more daring, I’d die to have some chunky LA highlights. 


Alfie:  What do you think is next on the horizon for fashion and hair?

 

Vanessa:  With Summer around the corner, I can’t wait to see the beautiful, flowy dresses and beachy hairstyles. 


Alfie:  If you could be anyone’s muse or ingénue, who would it be?  And why?

 

Vanessa:  Stylist-wise:  Owner Aubrey because he has an awesome accent.  Life-wise:  James Franco because he’s dreamy and super smart. 


Vanessa OneAlfie:  We all want to know, who does your hair and what are you excited about trying next? 

 

 

 

Vanessa:  I just got my haircut by Rachael and I love how sassy it is.  I also see Amy a lot and I’m excited to try different techniques with the Brazilian Straightening

 

Alfie:  Lastly, finish this:

 

            On a Sunday, you’ll find me. .in dance class. 




MACKENZIE @ Broadway


mackenzie picTrendy, beautiful, and wise beyond her years, Mack as we lovingly refer to her, is one of the newest additions to our Broadway family.  She hails from Idaho and is upfront about her obsession with James Franco (how could you not be?).  When she’s not sassing it up in music videos, this vixen has left an indelible mark on both our clients and stylists.  Let’s get to know what makes the girl with one feather earring tick. . .


Alfie:  You have great hair.  That’s clearly obvious.  Tell our readers what you have going on and why this best represents who you are in this time and space? 

 

Mack: I’m currently rocking the “Ombre” style highlights-which is usually described as grown-out looking… my roots are a dark chocolate brown and it melts into lighter ends.  I’ve taken it to a bit of an extreme with super bleached ends for a dramatic effect (which I love!). It’s a great way to get the best of both worlds (and to be blonde without the commitment). I’ve had really dark hair since about age 14 and it was just time to change things up a bit. I had seen the trend on many high profile ladies in Hollywood before, but I was really inspired to try the look myself when I saw Lilly Aldridge’s hair  (She’s the super fabulous Victoria’s secret angel… and J brand spokes model) It looked so effortless and chic! It’s perfect for me now because It can look really polished and pretty when I’m in the mood- but can also be super edgy depending on how its styled (my current favorite is the 4 days without washing it… and loading it up with Oribes dry texturizing spray for a messy and oh so fabulous look) my cut is pretty basic and grown out at the moment- long layers and some heavy side swept bangs. I’m obsessed with bangs.


Alfie:  Because I know you a little better than the average Joe, I know how important a role fashion plays in expressing you.  No doubt, your fierce wardrobe choices scream that from the bloody rooftops.  From Jeffrey Campbell platforms to oversized cardigans, what in your closet begs to be worn daily and what can we expect to see you making some room on your shelves for in the future?

 

Mack: Yes! It really is an important part of my life, I feel like it’s the best outlet to express how I’m feeling for the day and also a really great confidence booster! Nothing turns my mood around better than a great outfit with some amazing heels- it literally makes me feel like I can rule the world- taking who I am on the inside and making a statement with it on the outside… that’s what it’s all about. You’ll always find me wearing high waisted American apparel black leggings and a crazy huge knit sweater usually paired with some sort of sky high Jeffrey Campbell shoes or wedges. My closet will always have more room for Jeffrey… and I think I’ll be making space for loads of vintage sundresses and maxi skirts for this summer as well as some seriously distressed, high waisted levis shorts and vintage band tees.


Alfie:  Why did an Idaho girl like yourself make the trek from Potato-Land to LaLa-Land?  Other than the obvious, what does Hollywood offer that the Midwest didn’t? 

 

Mack: One of the main things I LOVE about LA is the cultural mix. Idaho is  very meat and potatoes (haha…) as well as VERY limited when it comes to different ethnicities and cultures. I feel like LA offers the best of everything from food to fashion both of which sit pretty high on my list! I feel like people get stuck in their ways in Idaho because it’s a comfortable place to be, I really wanted to move out here to peruse a career in acting as well as gain some life experience that you can’t get anywhere but here.


Alfie:  Upon first meeting you, I was struck by how put together your style is while still harnessing a bit of that edge that we see prevalent in all the fashion mags, is that something you’ve always had or have you been inspired of late by the City of Angels? 

 

Mack: I’ve always had a really great love for anything fashion, I feel like LA has just given me the tools to take things to the next level. I’m very visual and physical when it comes to shopping and I need to touch, see, try on, tug, pose etc etc in anything I want to buy- Idaho doesn’t have the best shopping in the world and Los Angeles literally has everything a girl could ever need- so I’ve left the computer (online shopping) for the real “try it on” experience which helps immensely when trying to create different looks.


Alfie:  Speaking of which, who inspires you?  And if you could be anyone’s muse or ingénue, who would it be?  And why?

 

Mack: My current fashion soul sisters would have to be Rumi Neely, Kate Moss, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson, Leighton Meester and the one and only Audrey Hepburn. I like taking different classic cuts and pieces and mixing them with vintage, grungy counter parts. I’ll have to get back to you on the muse question… my roller coaster fashion moods make that a really hard one to decide!


Alfie:  What do you think is next on the horizon for fashion and hair?

 

Mack: I feel like the polished grunge mixed with vintage and modern are making some pretty big statements. Fashion goes in cycles and it’s clear that the 70s, 80s and 90s are coming back in full force from the ombre to grunge. I’m really excited to see what our future of fashion holds for me and my closet J

 

Alfie:  We’re all dying to know, who does your hair and what are you excited about trying next? 

 

Mack: Jamie at studio DNA is my master color magician- she’s helped me go from almost black to sun kissed ends and rockin’ roots. I want to try some pastel kool-aid dyed looking ends over some of my blonde. I think it would be a fun experiment. I have had crazy colors in the past but never too much- I think I want to take the leap and see what it feels like to have some pink hair ! Cale at the Beverly studio DNA is my go to guy for any sort of cutting. He has been my stylist for over 2 years and I absolutely love how he plays with texture and razor cutting- I literally feel like my hair is art when he is done!


Alfie:  Lastly, finish this:


            On a Sunday, you’ll find me. ..sleeping in as late as possible, drinking too much coffee and haggling at the local flea market trying to find the next piece for my closet.

Andale, Andale, Arriba, Oribe


steward“Andale! Andale! Arriba!,”  I vividly remember thinking as my plane sat on the tarmac and the pilot awaited the Tower’s A-OK to begin taxiing down Southwest’s runway.  We’d only been at the airport for maybe thirty minutes at the most and I still considered that thirty minutes too long.  Suffice it to say, I’m not the ideal caliber of traveller you’d want seated next to you on an international flight bound for twelve hours into the future.  Luckily, this was a domestic flight and our projected airtime was a mere forty-five minutes.  Typically, I’d prefer to spend that time watching 3/4th of a single episode of True Blood, but alas, I had no say in the matter this time around.


“Thank the Gods that created Jacob from Twilight,” I mentally declared as our Captain’s voice flooded the cabin to communicate our impending ascent.  ”We’d be there in no time,” I thought, and I’m this much closer to fulfilling my search for a Panda Express.  It was early afternoon and I hadn’t eaten breaksfast, so I was severely famished.  ”God, let there be a Panda or a WokMaster somewhere in the Food Court.”  Shoot, I would have even settled for one of those sketchy Chinese “restaurants” that also sell donuts.  At that point, I didn’t care.  I just wanted anything edible even if I was ingesting high amounts of MSG.  I decided to leave my worry at the door.  Who cares if I was sabotaging both my health and the possibility of achieving Vin Diesel’s glistening physique.  I’d worry about that on Tuesday morning, after I returned to my smog-filled regular existence in La La Land.  Besides, I’m sure there’s MSG in the oil slathered all over his gargantuan pecs.


As I loosened my seat’s clunky lapbelt, I pondered how desperate I may or may not be for wondering whether the Captain sounded either handsome or just cute.  I decided it was in my best interest to keep that little introspection private, well, at the time at least.  I feared the possible mentioning of such a thing laughably foolish and, ultimately, validation of my Jennifer Love Hewitt-esque desperation.  I didn’t need to deal with all that extra anxiety.  Besides, I had better things to do like nursing my Diet Coke.  But betwen you and me, I did spend a good thirty minutes digesting that contemplation.  My train of thought was only broken twice, first, when the Flight Attendant came around to collect trash and, secondly, when the Captain’s voice once again filled the air.  This time I concluded that he sounded married.  ”Yeah, he’s definitely taken and he’s probably been married for a half a decade,” I muttered irritated.  I wasn’t up for a fruitless challenge.  Well, not on an empty stomach. “I’ve got to get my mind focused and sharp, ” I thought, “if I’m going to track down some desert Orange Chicken.  I’ll need to put my ‘gay-me’ face on.”  I take my food consumption, seriously.  A little too seriously if you ask any of my Subway sandwichmakers.  Nonetheless, in that short amount of time, I also managed to carve out a moment to thank the same Gods for both birthing Steve Jobs for gifting me with my iPod Touch- apparently useful when you need a soundtrack to follow your increasing infatuation with a faceless aviator- and for the mother and father who procreated to give us the Guy who came up with the idea to distribute in-flight peanuts.  P.S.  I highly recommend my Honeymoon in Bora Bora playlist.  I’ll upload the track listings later on iTunes for your listening pleasure.


If you haven’t concluded thus far, I might have a slight disposition that periodically renders me impatient and restless and honestly, that’s saying it kindly . Thankfully, the couple next to me probably knew exactly what they were dealing with and either 1.) fell asleep or 2.) feigned falling asleep so they didn’t have to experience me.  I’m sure it helped them that English clearly wasn’t their first language.  Conversely, it didn’t help me out all that much.  What I did take away from that experience is learning that the social construct of Personal Space must not be a commonly practiced concept outside of the West.  Under normal circumstances, I’m a nice guy.  Actually, an exceptional guy, I like to think.  I’m certain my mother and even my therapist would concur.  I’m sure if those seats could have fully reclined like the couch in the latter’s office, it would have been a completely different kind of flight experience for me.  Kidding aside, I’m usually pleasant, just not when I’m trapped in a dry, sterile cabin 10,000 feet in the air.  Prison Break in the friendly skies isn’t ideally how I’d like to spend my Saturday afternoon.  Solving crossword puzzles like the one our flight-chaperone Danny (co-owner of Studio DNA) worked on -with my borrowed pen mind you and which I have yet to receive back- is more up my alley.   Although, come to think of it, it could have been worth the casting “seat” effort trying to figure out who onboard would play hottie Wentworth Miller’s role.


Of course, you may have picked up on my tendency to embellish my stories.  My masterpieces if you will.  I consider this my creative license.  I’m very much an artist.  It’s just that my art isn’t relegated to a canvas or bobby pins.  Luckily, it came in handy when I sat down to write this blog.  If I’ve managed to hold your attention thus far, then you can actually thank my parents for this.  My mother’s actually got a Facebook Wall, which I highly encourage you to flood my praises on.  If only they had bothered to keep me as an only child, then I wouldn’t have had to fight for their attention. . .and their rigid love.  Did I just write that?  A kid tells one silly story about seeing a shirtless Matt Damon (ala School Ties) and a dragon in the tulip garden and people start to judge.  This blog is a direct consequence of that struggle.  Oye.


So, the flight wasn’t nearly as bad as I’ve made it out to seem.  There was plenty to be thankful for (i.e. Diet Coke) and even an impromptu birthday serenade complete with our Flight Attendance call buttons serving as concert lighters.  That should have been my first clue that we were all in for a rockstar of a weekend.  It was clear that the next couple of days were going to be anything but ordinary.  The hipsters may have had their Coachella, but God willing, I was going to have my Oribe Backstage Event!  I’m apparently impatient, restless, AND jealous.


Okay, so you must be asking yourself what does all of this nonsense have to do with Oribe?  Everything my dear, everything!  In order for you to truly understand how affected I was by this weekend, you have to grasp how unaffected I expected to be.  My mind was focusing on all of the inconsequential filler that dampen us on a daily basis that I didn’t realize that I had closed myself off to really living and loving the moment.  Being in the present and building what I wanted for myself all generated from this kernel of awareness.  It was in this mental space that I saw what Oribe meant for my fellow event goers and what he, in turn, meant for me.  He awakened a sense of possibility that had always been there, but needed a plane ride to set free.  It was through his care-free attitude and notion to experiment that made me let go of whatever fears I harboured inside.  Now, I’m not going to use this forum to discuss the details of what exactly transpired.  I’ll leave that to my travel-mates Aubrey, Dane, Amy, and Summer.  What I’m choosing to focus on is the consciousness that experiencing an event like this opens up for those that care to see it.


When I walked into The Palms Casino, I envisioned that I would be thrusted into a scene right out of a George Romero zombie flick.  I expected it to be filled with all sorts of Walking Dead characters.  And I did see that.  There were plenty of people clinging for dear life to their slot machines.  Sadly, when you can count the number of senior citizens lugging around oxygen tanks on the back of motorized scooters in a smoky casino on more than one hand, then you’ve seen it all.  But even among all that ridiculousness,  every so often, I’d see something a little different.  I’d see anomalies. . .artists. . .seemingly brimming with infectious energy.  At that moment, I knew I was in the midst of something special.


SignWhen we gathered our first day and the Master himself took the stage, the ride officially began.  I and artists alike converged into the hotel’s Rain Nightclub to celebrate a man and his art.  Whether you were a hair artist, a salon owner, or a salon manager, the fever was undeniable and contagious.  If you’ve seen the movie Powder, then you’ll remember one of the final scenes where he’s running through the field and, in the blink of an eye, transforms into this streak of radiant light energy that fills the meadow?  Well, it was this type of vibrational energy that pulsed through the venue that evening.  It was a cumulative effort and it was astonishing to know that we created it.  Regardless of what brought us all there, we were all meant to be there to experience exactly what we were experiencing.  In the end, we all took something different from this weekend.  There were surely some who realized that even though they’ve been around for years and feel like they’ve seen it all, there’s always still more to learn.  It’s this constant evolution that keeps them on the playing field.  I took comfort in that and I came away with the realization that we are all beings, whether creative or not, that can always learn from one another.  It’s from this inspiration that we can do incredible things. Do what you love, practice hard, and everything will fall into place.  It might not always happen the way you envision it, but that doesn’t mean you won’t manifest what you desire.  It just might come in different packaging!  Mine just happened to come in an Oribe box.


Between the rockstar theatrics on stage, the gorgeous hairstyles, and the extraordinary hands-on opportunity, I saw an inpenetrable joy that filled that room.  Seemingly nothing or no one could adversely affect their moment to shine.  They were in their element.  Experimenting, learning, taking and giving advice.  It was all available to them, if they sought it.  I didn’t seek it, but , in the end, I got it.  We were bombarded with visual stimulation from every which way.  From our eyes to our ears with rich colors, sounds and textures.  It was a cornucopia for our senses.  A feast rightfully fit to give thanks for what Oribe brought to the hair industry.  And with this blog, I give thanks for what Oribe brought to me.


I’ve often heard “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”  Now for the 87% of those that travel there each year, I’m sure that’s likely the case, but for me, I can hardly say that was my experience.  By 9:45 pm Monday night -nearly 57 hours after we first laid foot in Sin City- I was headed home exhausted, but renewed with a sense of vigor that I didn’t expect.  As I snuggled into my seat, I couldn’t help but think that I was bringing something home that would linger with me for a lifetime.  And for 55% of those 87%, I’m sure that “something special” could have easily been cured with a shot of penicillin, but, thankfully,  I went home not having to worry about making an appointment to see my doctor.  I came back inspired to be a better person, not only for myself, but as a stand for the people I work with.  Now, I think that’s something worth acknowledging outside of Vegas.

Honeymoon in Vegas



“Andale! Andale! Arriba!,”  I vividly remember thinking as my plane sat on the tarmac and the pilot awaited the Tower’s A-OK to begin taxiing down Southwest’s runway.  We’d only been at the airport for maybe thirty minutes at the most and I still considered that thirty minutes too long.  Suffice it to say, I’m not the ideal caliber of traveller you’d want seated next to you on an international flight bound for twelve hours into the future.  Luckily, this was a domestic flight and our projected airtime was a mere forty-five minutes.  Typically, I’d prefer to spend that time watching 3/4th of a single episode of True Blood, but alas, I had no say in the matter this time around.
“Thank the Gods that created Jacob from Twilight,” I mentally declared as our Captain’s voice flooded the cabin to communicate our impending ascent.  ”We’d be there in no time,” I thought, and I’m this much closer to fulfilling my search for a Panda Express.  It was early afternoon and I hadn’t eaten breaksfast, so I was severely famished.  ”God, let there be a Panda or a WokMaster in the Food Court.”  Shoot, I would have even settled for one of those sketchy Chinese “restaurants” that also sell donuts.  At that point, I didn’t care.  I just wanted absolutely anything edible even if I risked ingesting high amounts of MSG.  I decided to leave my worry at the door.  Who cares if I was sabotaging both my health and the possibility of achieving Vin Diesel’s glistening physique.  I’d worry about that on Tuesday morning, after I returned to my smog-filled regular existence in La La Land.  Besides, I’m sure there’s MSG in the oil slathered all over his gargantuan pecs.
As I loosened my seat’s clunky lapbelt, I pondered how desperate I may or may not be for wondering whether the Captain sounded either handsome or just cute.  I decided it was in my best interest to keep that little introspection private, well, at the time at least.  I feared the possible mentioning of such a thing laughably foolish and, ultimately, validation of my Jennifer Love Hewitt-esque desperation.  I didn’t need to deal with all that extra anxiety.  Besides, I had better things to do like nursing my Diet Coke.  But betwen you and me, I did spend a good thirty minutes digesting that contemplation.  My train of thought was only broken twice, first, when the Flight Attendant came around to collect trash and, secondly, when the Captain’s voice once again filled the air.  This time I concluded that he sounded married.  ”Yeah, he’s definitely taken and I’d say he has been so for a minimum of half a deacade,” I muttered irritated.  I wasn’t up for a fruitless challenge.  Well, not on an empty stomach. “I’ve got to get my mind focused and sharp, ” I thought, “if I’m going to track down some desert Orange Chicken.  I’ll need to put my ‘gay-me’ face on.”  I take my food consumption, seriously.  A little too seriously if you ask any of my Subway sandwichmakers.  Nonetheless, in that short amount of time, I also managed to carve out a moment to thank the same Gods for both birthing Steve Jobs for gifting me with my iPod Touch- apparently useful when you need a soundtrack to follow your increasing infatuation with a faceless aviator- and for the mother and father who procreated to give us the Guy who came up with the idea to distribute in-flight peanuts.  P.S.  I highly recommend my Honeymoon in Bora Bora playlist.  I’ll upload the track listings later on iTunes for your listening pleasure.


If you haven’t concluded thus far, I might have a slight disposition that periodically renders me impatient and restless and honestly, that’s saying it kindly . Thankfully, the couple next to me probably knew exactly what they were dealing with and either 1.) fell asleep or 2.) feigned falling asleep so they didn’t have to experience me.  I’m sure it helped them that English clearly wasn’t their first language.  Conversely, it didn’t help me out all that much.  What I did take away from that experience is learning that the social construct of Personal Space must not be a commonly practiced concept outside of the West.  Under normal circumstances, I’m a nice guy.  Actually, an exceptional guy, I like to think.  I’m certain my mother and even my therapist would concur.  I’m sure if those seats could have fully reclined like the couch in the latter’s office, it would have been a completely different kind of flight experience for me.  Kidding aside, I’m usually pleasant, just not when I’m trapped in a dry, sterile cabin 10,000 feet in the air.  Prison Break in the friendly skies isn’t ideally how I’d like to spend my Saturday afternoon.  Solving crossword puzzles like the one our flight-chaperone Danny (co-owner of Studio DNA) worked on -with my borrowed pen mind you and which I have yet to receive back- is more up my alley.   Although, come to think of it, it could have been worth the casting “seat” effort trying to figure out who onboard would play hottie Wentworth Miller’s role.




Of course, you may have picked up on my tendency to embellish my stories.  My masterpieces if you will.  I consider this my creative license.  I’m very much an artist.  It’s just that my art isn’t relegated to a canvas or bobby pins.  Luckily, it came in handy when I sat down to write this blog.  If I’ve managed to hold your attention thus far, then you can actually thank my parents for this.  My mother’s actually got a Facebook Wall, which I highly encourage you to flood my praises on.  If only they had bothered to keep me as an only child, then I wouldn’t have had to fight for their attention. . .and their rigid love.  Did I just write that?  A kid tells one silly story about seeing a shirtless Matt Damon (ala School Ties) and a dragon in the tulip garden and people start to judge.  This blog is a direct consequence of that struggle.  Oye.


So, the flight wasn’t nearly as bad as I’ve made it out to seem.  There was plenty to be thankful for (i.e. Diet Coke) and even an impromptu birthday serenade complete with our Flight Attendance call buttons serving as concert lighters.  That should have been my first clue that we were all in for a rockstar of a weekend.  It was clear that the next couple of days were going to be anything but ordinary.  The hipsters may have had their Coachella, but God willing, I was going to have my Oribe Backstage Event!  I’m apparently impatient, restless, AND jealous.

Okay, so you must be asking yourself what does all of this nonsense have to do with Oribe?Everything my dear, everything!  In order for you to truly understand how affected I was by this weekend, you have to grasp how unaffected I expected to be.  My mind was focusing on all of the inconsequential filler that dampen us on a daily basis that I didn’t realize that I had closed myself off to really living and loving the moment.  Being in the present and building what I wanted for myself all generated from this kernel of awareness.  It was in this mental space that I saw what Oribe meant for my fellow event goers and what he, in turn, meant for me.  He awakened a sense of possibility that had always been there, but needed a plane ride to set free.  It was through his care-free attitude and notion to experiment that made me let go of whatever fears I harboured inside.  Now, I’m not going to use this forum to discuss the details of what exactly transpired.  I’ll leave that to my travelmates Dane, Amy, and Summer.  What I’m choosing to focus on is the consciousness that experiencing an event like this opens up for those that care to see it.

When I walked into The Palms Casino, I envisioned that I would be thrusted into a scene right out of a George Romero zombie flick.  I expected it to be filled with all sorts of Walking Dead characters.  And I did see that.  There were plenty of people clinging for dear life to their slot machines.  Sadly, when you can count the number of senior citizens lugging around oxygen tanks on the back of motorized scooters in a smoky casino on more than one hand, then you’ve seen it all.  But even among all that ridiculousness,  every so often, I’d see something a little different.  I’d see anomalies. . .artists. . .seemingly brimming with infectious energy.  At that moment, I knew I was in the midst of something special.

When we gathered our first day and the Master himself took the stage, the ride officially began.  I and artists alike converged into the hotel’s Rain Nightclub to celebrate a man and his art.  Whether you were a hair artist, a salon owner, or a salon manager, the fever was undeniable and contagious.  If you’ve seen the movie Powder, then you’ll remember one of the final scenes where he’s running through the field and, in the blink of an eye, transforms into this streak of radiant light energy that fills the meadow?  Well, it was this type of vibrational energy that pulsed through the venue that evening.  It was a cumulative effort and it was astonishing to know that we created it.  Regardless of what brought us all there, we were all meant to be there to experience exactly whatever it was that  we were experiencing.  In the end, we all took something different from this weekend.  There were surely some who realized that even though they’ve been around for years and feel like they’ve seen it all, there’s always still more to learn and it’s this constant evolution that keeps them on the playing field.  I took comfort in that and I came away with the realization that we are all beings, whether creative or not, that can always learn from one another.  It’s from this inspiration that we can do incredible things. Do what you love, practice hard, and everything will fall in to place.  It might not always happen the way you envision it, but that doesn’t mean you won’t manifest what you desire.  It just might come in different packaging!  Mine just happened to come in an Oribe box.

Between the rockstar theatrics on stage, the gorgeous hairstyles, and the extraordinary hands-on opportunity, I saw an inpenetrable joy that filled that room.  Seemingly nothing or no one could adversely affect their moment to shine.  They were in their element.  Experimenting, learning, taking and giving advice.  It was all available to them, if they sought it.  I didn’t seek it, but , in the end, I got it.  We were bombarded with visual stimulation from every which way.  From our eyes to our ears with rich colors, sounds and textures.  It was a cornucopia for our senses.  A feast rightfully fit to give thanks for what Oribe brought to the hair industry.  And with this blog, I give thanks for what Oribe brought to me.


I’ve often heard “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”  Now for the 87% of those that travel there each year, I’m sure that’s likely the case, but for me, I can hardly say that was my experience.  By 9:45 pm Monday night -nearly 57 hours after we first laid foot in Sin City- I was headed home exhausted, but renewed with a sense of vigor that I didn’t expect.  As I snuggled into my seat, I couldn’t help but think that I was bringing something home that would linger with me for a lifetime.  And for 55% of those 87%, I’m sure that “something special” could have easily been cured with a shot of penicillin, but, thankfully,  I went home not having to worry about making an appointment to see my doctor.  I came back inspired to be a better person, not only for myself, but as a stand for the people I work with.  Now, I think that’s something worth acknowledging outside of Vegas.





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