MEET OUR STAFF

VINCENT COX

Senior stylist and a salon owner for 10 years, Vincent Cox has been a household name on Newbury St. for over 30 years. Vincent has been teaching and attending salon seminars across America and has further extended his international career by working in France, Argentina, Chile, as well as his native England. Vincent's eye for creating picture perfect looks with hair and make-up, have earned him a well known clientele, and extensive work with top photographers and models in Boston and New York. His portfolio boasts photo shoots for major magazines such as Vogue, Mademoiselle, and Glamour. His recognitions include "Best Haircut & Color", awarded by Improper Bostonian, GQ, and Boston Magazine.

CHRISTOPHE LACHENAL

Chistophe left his beloved Paris for a new challenge, to conquer the beauty industry in America. With extensive training from Jacques Dessage and Bob Coiffure in France, he came to offer European sophistication to his American clientele. He specializes in precision cutting and has become a make-up artist as well, having worked with Chanel, Lancome and Yves St Laurent while in Paris. Chistophe's warm personality only adds to his artistry, and he always achieves his goal of making his clients happy.

MICHAEL JULIA

Michael's international style is the result of extensive training in places such as Paris, Germany, Spain and New York City. He combines his training with over 20 years of experience to create stylish hairdos, either doing precision cutting or highlighting. He is certified in the Bio Ionic Re-Texturizing Hair System and also specializes in blowdrying and relaxing textural hair, offering the best services for his international clientele.

ALEX SAFAR

As general manager of Àcôté, Alex has inherited in depth training alongside Gaston Safar, as well as extensive education in creative color theory with Redken-New York and Goldwell-Boston, and modern cutting with Vidal Sassoon in Miami. One of the most sought after stylist in Boston, Alex has extended his craft with the latest techniques in permanent hair straightening, also known as Bio-Ionic or thermal re-conditioning. His eager nature and keen talent for client satisfaction and salon success, have been recognized in such magazines as Stuff@Night, Insight and Improper Bostonian.

JANA RAGO

Jana has been with Salon Acote for almost 10 years and has become one of our most talented and experienced hair stylists. She specializes in Keratin Bond hair extensions, woman’s highlights, and creative updo’s. Jana organizes and directs many of our fashion shows in Boston’s hottest night clubs and takes pride in her vast collection of editorial work. Besides being a star styist at Salon Acote she also spends time styling models for the popular web site www.ruelala.com. Clients love working with Jana because she gives elegant hair styles with her own creative twist.

RICHARD DIGIANNI

Graduating at the top of his class from Blaine Beauty School of Boston, Richard has furthered his craft by attending classes throughout the northeast with Redken, Wella, Rusk and Goldwell of New England. Richard attributes most of his success to his intuitive approach in creating edgy looks for men, classic and natural highlights for women. He also enjoys styling for fashion shows and experimenting with avant-garde looks on the runway.

MICHEAL CRAVEN

Trained as a Master Stylist and Color specialist, our latest edition to the staff has brought his New York flair to Boston. Born in Syracuse, "Craven", (as he is known to the staff), has raised creative outlook and exemplary client satisfaction within the salon to new levels. A top graduate of Phillips Hairstyling Institute of Syracuse, Craven continued his education with Redken-Swatskaft, and Goldwell of New York, where his work was published in Goldwell Color Gloss V. His fashion show experience includes Bridal Shows and most recently the Harvard Fashion Show of 2005. Michael's specialty services include Bio-Ionic straightening, short bobs and his creative color solutions have amazed even the most experienced colorists.

DONIKA PULAKE

Donika started her craft in her native country of Albania, later graduating at the top of her class from the Institute di Bellezza in Policoro, Italy concentrating in various color techniques and theory. In 2003 Donika moved to Boston eager to use her creative techniques at Salon Acote. Since joining our international staff she has become well known for her precision dry cutting as well as her elegant updos and natural henna coloring. Donika continues her education in color techniques by taking classes with Redken and Goldwell.

JANIDA ARAUJO

Janida started styling hair at her family's chain of salons in Argentina. Her background helped her extend her skills to new levels of hairstyling. In 1999, she graduated with honors from Blaine Beauty School and has furthered her art through her international clientele. Her experience with such a wide range of clients has made her a magician with a brush a dryer, creating sleeks looks for clients with hard to manage hair, as well as specializing in precision cuts for Asian hair.

Tiffany Guarino

A wonderful addition to our staff in 2006, Tiffany is very passionate about beauty and style. She graduated top of her class at Beauty Creators in Boston, and has worked extensively with Acote's artistic directors during countless fashion shows. Not only does Tiffany excel in hair cutting and dimensional highlights, but she also is a very talented make up artist. Tiffany's personality and fresh perspective has been very complimentary to Acote's diverse staff.

GIANFRANCO VITALE

Born and raised in Naples Italy, Gianfranco adds his creative European insight to an already international staff. A graduate of Scuole d'Arte in Italia, hairdressing and styling runs in Gianfranco's family. His Aunt Mirella is a top stylist in Avellino. Creative coloring and editorial styling are two passions that Gianfranco shares with Acote owner Gaston Safar. Salon Acote's energy and passion for creating stylish hair are reasons why Gianfranco Vitale has decided to come back after being away in Italy for a year.

MIRIAM MEZA

Miriam moved from Mexico 10 years ago and received her training from Vidal Sassoon concentrating in various cutting techniques. Her favorite aspect in working at Salon Acote is our diverse staff and clientele. She specializes in curly textural hair and adding natural highlights to brunette hair. Miriam’s ultimate goal is to get more involved in editorial work and styling for fashion shows.

MIHAL SMITH

Mihal Smith, trained in Dublin Ireland, graduated from the David Marshall School in 2002 where he excelled in precision cutting and creative coloring. In 2007 Mihal moved to Boston and shortly after joined Salon Acote. His fashion forward concepts and cutting edge style have given him his deep passion for the beauty industry. His creativity and high energy has landed him many projects, among them styling hair for the MTV show "Made". Mihael is certified in the Keratin Hair Treatment and has trained with Vidal Sassoon.

CHRISTINA VASILAKOS

Christina got her start at our other salon Safar Coiffure where she established herself as a successful stylist in Boston. Christina has trained in London and in her native country of Greece concentrating in classic and editorial updos, which she has been putting to use when styling for our numerous fashion shows and for weddings. She likes to attend New York Fashion Week, whenever possible, to check out the latest hair and fashion trends.

ALLISON SAFAR

Following in her family’s footsteps Allison has chosen a career in the beauty industry. Allison enjoys creating haute couture styles that are wearable for the everyday woman and styling our numerous fashion shows. Allison’s haircuts and styling are very popular because of her use of Vidal Sassoon’s techniques combined with a modern twist. She specializes in the Brazilian Keratin Straightening.

VICTORIA BROWN

Always wanting to be a top stylist, Victoria has made a large impact in her first year at salon Acote. A native of New Zealand, Victoria trained at the Paul Mitchell School in Rhode Island, where she became interested in all aspects of beauty. She takes an active interest in classic updos, modern hair cutting techniques and facial waxing. Victoria adds a fresh perspective with her young energy and ever growing creativity.

SADIE TUHOEY

A graduate of Springfield Technical College and winner of the Most Promising Overall Stylist award by salon owners Alan Silva and Maureen Bellucci, Sadie embarked on a career in the beauty industry with the goal of making her clients happy by creating personalized looks. Sadie also loves to create intricate updos and specializes in body waxing and make-up application in addition to hair cutting and coloring. She believes that there is always room for improvement and therefore try to attend as many classes as her schedule permits, among them, color classes by Goldwell and L’Oreal and cutting classes by Paul Mitchell, to name a few. Sadie is excited to have joined the Acote team and is looking forward to provide her clients with a variety of services.

HOLLY DINSMORE

A native of Cohasset MA, Holly did most of her training in Los Angeles where she trained at the Vidal Sassoon Academy. She possesses endless knowledge in color theory and specializes in corrective color situations. Holly has also taken part in many of our fashion shows. Possessing natural talent and ability Holly fits in perfectly at Salon Acote. Her clientele appreciates all of her color training when she performs one of her masterful highlight transformations.



						ELIZABETH MINCHELLA Always wanting to be a top hair stylist, Elizabeth has made a large impact in her first year at Acote. Training at Chameleons School of Cosmetology, specifically with the Paul Mitchell brand, Elizabeth fell in love with color. Interested in all aspects of beauty, Elizabeth has concentrated on advanced color theory and intricate foiling techniques. She takes an active interest in fashion shows, and is always eager to learn the latest trends. Elizabeth adds a fresh perspective with her edgy style, and ever growing creativity. SUSAN SANTOLUCITO Susan graduated from Blaine Beauty School in 2001 and has trained extensively in modern hair cutting and coloring techniques with Wella and Redken, as well as make-up application and skin care. Susan has taught many style classes at Berkley College in Boston and her unique approach has made her a popular stylist with our clients. PASCAL LASRY Pascal brings to the salon a European approach. Trained in France, Pascal loves creating looks that best fit one's personality. His clients always leave the salon feeling confident, whether they are updating their look, or creating a new one. Pascal likes to give his clientele a personal style that is sophisticated and easy to maintain. Pascal has become a salon favorite due to his dedication and attention to detail. DANIELLE CHOOLJIAN A native from England, Danielle has a passion for art and hair design. After graduating from beauty school with a Cosmetologist of the Year Award, Danielle moved to Boston and soon after joined Acote's staff. Since being with Acote Danielle has quickly become one of the most sought after stylists on Newbury Street. A talent for elegant up-dos, Danielle is capable of creating the most intricate looks that have her clients raving. She loves making people feel happy, beautiful and good about themselves and is always learning new trends by attending seminars and classes around the country. Whether looking for soft, sultry highlights, or a chignon for a wedding, Danielle is able to offer any look her clients have in mind. OMAR GIRAUD Omar's charismatic personality and extensive training in places such as New York, London and Boston has made him one of the most loved stylists in the Boston area. Omar has had a long term relationship with the Safar family, getting his first job at Safar Coiffure. He later opened a salon, Giraud & Co., with his brother Oscar and eventually founded Solus with his wife Joanna, earning a reputation of his own. In 2001 he joined forces with Gaston Safar, merging Solus with Àcôté Salon. Today Omar travels around the country as a national educator for the Bio Ionic Re-Texturizing System teaching this new technique for stylists and in Boston he offers it to his clientele.

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