Every couple of months we feature one of our Stylists’ Product Playlist – five products that they can’t live without.
Five Products that they would hurt someone to keep in their station.
Five Products that they would lay down their life to save.
Five Products that they hope will go steady with them.
Okay, I think you get the picture. Here is Summer’s Product Playlist.
Summer's Favorite Products
“I’ve been a hair dresser all my life. It’s what I do. It’s what I love.” ~Oribe
Recently, me and some of the DNA crew got the opportunity to participate in Oribe backstage in Las Vegas. For those of you who don’t know who Oribe is you might just want to google him! On the real though- He is a distinguished and renowned hairstylist and has been lauded as one of the top hairdressers in the US and perhaps the world, by key fashion designers and editors. Oribe’s combination of session, and salon work spans over three decades, and he has defined the notion of fashion over the course of a career of unprecedented longevity and scope. He is absolutely AMAZING! He created a luxury hair product line that is out of control!
I must tell you the odds were against Amy and I when we were out numbered by the DNA boys… One of them had this fabulous idea to ride roller coasters on top of the tallest building on the Vegas strip!! Don’t worry Alfie I wont tell anyone that you paid to NOT ride any of the rides 
Long story short I pretty much lost my life when I was hanging over the edge of the building!!! As if that wasn’t enough, we then got on this thing that decided we weren’t already high enough so it shot us straight up into the sky…. and then dropped us!! I’m assuming the only point in entertaining yourself in such a way is to make sure you still know how to scream or cry???
Thankfully we are all still alive…..
The actual Oribe event took place in a club! Which all made complete sense when he came out… Cause he is a freaking rock star! That guy has mad steez! I never thought i would say this of a man his age but he is is sexy!!! Oribe inspires me in so many ways. He has an amazing ability to captivate any audience. Even people who don’t do hair couldn’t help but be inspired by Oribe. He believes there is beauty in everything even the grotesque. He had over 300 creative directors and salon owners from all over the world rethinking there entire approach to something they’ve done on a daily basis!
This was a very inspiring weekend and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to hang out with some of the most brilliant stylist out there! Everyone was seriously on it!!! I will never miss an event the Oribe crew puts on 
Well peeps I gotta let you in on my latest love affair…. Traveling like its my job to travel… Lovin’ life and wanting more of it! I was recently given an amazing opportunity to work NY Fashion Week! We worked with some of the best crews in NY!! Beautiful people, beautiful garments, and a really inspiring week I also realized how much I love the snow in the city…. Most people ran indoors when it would snow…. I just wanted 2 be in the middle of it.
Our first show was off to a running start being that we literally jumped off a plane and only had a few hours to call time! This particular designer wanted to go big or go home…. Lets just say 24 inches big!! Need I say more??? I had alot of fun playing in the colored clouds. If you don’t know, than you should… ask me! When this amazing show ended I had to run to a beautiful salon call MIZU on fifth ave….. Can we say gorgeous!!! This salon was off the hook! Surrounded by incredible stylists, I was in my perfect element to recreate Miss Cherry Wangs’ new look! It was such a great experience to work in a NY salon…. It will happen alot more Sooo my NY peeps keep yo hats on and I will return sooner than you know it!
Given I had a free day, That happened to be Valentines day. I decided to hit up my favorite parts of the city and shopped my ass off! Hanging out in Williamsburg with old friends having great food… Lot’s of cocktails and dancing…. well that was happening every night for me. haha There was such a great vibe lingering around in this city! I was beginning to think I may never want to go back to LALA land xxxxx
Our last show was Kortos! Who is a brilliant designer that we had previous shows with in LA. The look she wanted was sleek with dimensional braids…. between you and me… I hate braiding…. But let me tell you I was so inspired to try something I wouldn’t typically do myself!! We rocked that look! I even came home and puts braids on a red carpet look for an awards show…. Guess I truly was inspired! Her clothing line was off the hook!! I wanted everything! She had these hot leather gloves with a lil zipper on them… Damn I don’t even need gloves out here but I want those!
On our final evening the DNA Creative team had dinner with Polaris (makeup crew) and Mizu (NY Creative team). Such an inspiring evening to see all the influential minds that brought together Fashion Week! Again I want to thank all of you involved for an amazing opportunity and look forward to the next trip!!! Can we say NY fashion week September, or South Africa??? What What…… Let us handle that
New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There’s nothin’ you can’t do
Now you’re in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Let’s hear it for New York, New York,
New York
…Summer is a Level 3.
We are extremely proud to announce that Summer Star will be promoted to a Level 3 Stylist status effective February 1, 2010.
Summer has been with Studio DNA for almost 2 years. During this time, Summer’s style and exceptional talent has left an indelible impression on the company as a whole. In her short time with us, Summer has worked with Aubrey to create and grow our education program. We couldn’t imagine Studio DNA without her unique energy. We are also proud to announce that Summer has been named as the Head of Education.
All of this will signify an increase in her service prices. A detailed list can be found on our website at http://www.studiodnasalon.com/chill/menu-of-services. To provide some indication, Summer’s haircuts will increase from $80 to $95 ($60 to $75 for short hair) and Partial Highlights from $100 to $110. While these new prices will take effect February 1st, Summer would like to extend her Level 2 prices to you, her existing clientele, until May 1st, 2010. That’s right; your prices will remain the same until May 1st of this year.
Please note that Studio DNA as a whole will not be increasing its prices for another year (2010). This will signify four years at the same prices since we opened the doors. We recognize that there are still many families struggling in this economy and therefore, cannot justify applying a cost of living increase company wide. We do believe our stylists deserve to receive promotions and increases to honor continued excellence in their work.
If you have any questions regarding this promotion, please feel free to discuss it with Summer at your next visit. You can also reach me via email at dannyl@npa.net.
Alright crew, its been long enough!!!! I believe it might be time to tell you about my first trip to the U.K. It was a life changing experience! There is something about travel that opens up something inside me. I always thought I was exactly where I needed to be… Its London where I realized how much MORE is really out there… I can’t imagine my life without the UK in my mix!
I was sent to London to explore the many paths our industry can take us. In the process I saw what hair really means to me. I was traveling with my boss Aubrey Loots and one of my first graduating students Karen Madore. That in itself is inspiring. One of my mentors and the other was a former student. This is my passion… This is who I am. What’s amazing is how differently we all experienced it. We handled so much in such a short period of time and we all had different perspectives to share!
Our first item on our itinerary was to see some of the most talented stylists in the world who descended on Royal Albert Hall to show their talent and support an amazing cause “Leukemia Research“. The hall itself has given stage to genius ranging from The Dali Lama to The Beatles, and it’s grand tradition continued with stylists showing the best of the best. The show was hosted by one of my biggest inspirations and Alternative Hair President Anthony Mascolo. These Stylist were out of control! Handling techniques I could never even imagine!!! Stylists collaborated with amazing designers to create runway shows that could rival Cirque de Soleil. OUT OF CONTROL (I may have cried a bit) hahaha
We handled one of the UKs largest trade shows. The amount of energy in that spot was overwhelming. Seeing what trends are being set out there inspires me to kick it up a notch out here! (Now to find more amazing clients that can rock the hottest of hot styles goin on these days!!!) More about the show though… I guess awards are a big thing out there considering there is no real licensing or schooling to be a stylist. One of the award ceremonies was for youths 17-24 - Yeah thats right, the youngins I was beside myself when I saw a runway full of sick ass hair!!! Off the Hook. I hope to see my crew representing in this category in the years to come!
We also met with some of the Top Salons in London to create an international internship! Lets just say we met alot of amazing people but one of them were just our steez!!! Some of the coolest peeps I met. They even invited me out to an art installation! They were really talented people that I truly look forward to working with in the future. I will tell you more about it when we start our first exchange
My crew had to leave me after a short time…. Scarey as it may sound to be alone in a city I just met, I was really excited! Lets just say I danced my ass off, hung out with amazing people from all over the world, saw things I’ve never seen before, and felt things I’ve never felt before… Thanks DNA
