Meet Our Experts

Sabre Haircare Ambassadors

Discover the driving force behind Sabre Haircare’s exceptional education program – our 2024 Guest Artist Team. Handpicked for their expertise and passion, they are some of the brightest minds in hairdressing and salon growth, and they are on-board and ready to share their magic with you!

This outstanding team of individuals embodies the spirit of innovation and style that Sabre Haircare stands for. They bring to life the bold hues of JOICO, the cutting-edge styles of Hanz De Fuko, and the natural elegance of ACTYVA. Their classes are more than just skill-building; they’re a journey through the latest trends, complete with social media savvy and client experience enhancements. Every class led by our guest artists is a fusion of practical skills and creative inspiration, designed to boost your skillset, your client satisfaction, and ultimately, your earnings!

Sabre Haircare Ambassadors

Carolyn Gahan

QUARRY AVENUE SALON
Sabre Haircare Ambassador

Whether you’re lusting after dreamy pastels or searching for the ultimate celebrity blonde with the expertly-crafted cut to match, Carolyn Gahan is one seriously badass stylist who has the skills to get you there.

A quick scroll of Carolyn’s Instagram account shows a vision and direction that has been developed over many years; bursting with over 20 years of creative energy.

Starting her career in Ontario, Canada, Carolyn has travelled the world honing her craft. Working at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2017, Cosmprof 2017 in Italy, and at the Inspire Me show 2019 in Germany.  In 2011, Carolyn moved to call Australia home and has been locally recognised as a force to be reckoned with, being named as a finalist across multiple categories in the Australian Hair Fashion Awards 5 years running, and taking out Hair Shot of the Year in AHFA 2020.

Carolyn loves traditional hair cutting and colouring in the salon but is also hugely passionate about her editorial and competition work.  Carolyn has always loved fashion and describes being on a shoot as her “happy place” where she can tell a story through the model’s hair, makeup and clothing.  Her private salon suite in Sydney’s CBD is her brainstorming haven, where she works on her competition hair, wig prep, and of course her lucky clients!

Her dedication to continuing education not only keeps her own ideas fresh but also inspires her to share her knowledge and experience with others.  The team at Sabre are thrilled to have her on board as a regular Guest Artist.  Come along to one of her classes to experience the magic for yourself.

Josh Congreve

TOGNINI’S Hair
Guest Artist

For Joshua Congreve, hair is more than a career, it is a way of life! 

Starting out at Perth’s famed House of Ernest salon, Josh was early into his apprenticeship when he was thrust into the world of fashion and catwalk styling.  Fast establishing himself as a go-to lead hairstylist, Josh worked with department store giant Myer, as well as styling for red-carpet events and celebrity styling including working with Tara Reid, Carson Kressley, Eamon Sullivan, Stephanie Rice, Jennifer Hawkins, Rebecca Judd and dignitaries from the 2011 CHOGM summit.   

A change in focus saw Josh take up the role of Artistic Director at House of Ernest.  This move was geared towards giving back to the industry and helped Josh develop his love for education, as he took on a leadership role for designing and executing team collections, directed in-salon education and focused on giving back to the community at charity events. 

Fast forward a few years, and Josh now resides in sunny Queensland, working with one of his idols Benni Tognini at Tognini’s salon in Brisbane, where he finds joi in educating and motivating his fellow team mates.  Josh has developed a profound love for working in a team environment – in his own words, he says “with a cohesive and unified team, the possibilities are endless!” 

Winning a place on the 2021 Australian Fame Team introduced Josh to the Fame Team Colour Sponsor Joico, and it has been a match made in heaven! Josh’s imagination and talent for creating spectacular colour, backed by his equally impressive skill for cutting and styling put him squarely on the Joico radar, and we are thrilled to have him on board as a Joico Guest Artist.  Keep your eyes on this one, he’s one to watch!  

Andrew Cobeldick

BUOY SALON
Guest Artist

Big news at Sabre Haircare! Andrew Cobeldick, Master Stylist and Colourist (AKA Creative Genius) from Wellington’s Buoy Salon, is joining our Guest Artist team. With accolades like NZ Hairdresser of the Year in 2018 and the Lust Colour Award in 2019 and 2022, Andrew’s in a league of his own. He’s all about crafting styles that are bold, on-trend, and uniquely expressive.
Andrew’s skill set is out of this world. He’s not just a finalist in some top-notch competitions; he’s a trendsetter, bringing his A-game to fashion weeks in New York, Australia, and New Zealand. His mix of salon and editorial styles? Absolutely fire. But there’s more to Andrew than just great hair. He’s a mentor at heart, dedicated to inspiring and teaching up-and-coming stylists. His involvement with the Hair Industry Training Organisation is a testament to his commitment to the hairdressing community.
With Andrew joining our team, get ready for an epic ride at Sabre Haircare. We’re talking serious style, crazy skills, and some awesome educational sessions. Time to amp up the hair game with Andrew!

Hayley Mears

SIX UNDERGROUND MEDIA
Social Media Coach

Hayley Mears is an industry expert in the field of social media and marketing in hairdressing.   
 
Hayley considers herself to be incredibly lucky that she has had a career spanning two decades working in this amazing and everchanging industry.  Her path has seen her make the move from salon stylist to stage educator, then leap into to editorial, film and television, and styling for fashion and runway.   
 
The transition to social media guru came about when Hayley realised one of her deep passions was connecting people and helping businesses to grow. In her own words, “I eventually decided I wanted to move to a role that focused on the business side of things, where I could create strategies and campaigns that gave clients a fantastic user experience and increase profitability and brand loyalty for salons. This job has given me so much and every stepping-stone of my career has had unique value to bring me to where I am today.”  
 
Today, Hayley’s business, Six-Underground Media, has a marketing team of 7 passionate and likeminded individuals, who spend each day helping salons and hairdressers all over the world build their digital presence.  Sabre Haircare is thrilled to be able to offer Hayley’s expertise to our clients, these are classes you do not want to miss!  

Felicity Bruce

COCOON HAIR DESIGN
Sabre Haircare Ambassador

In the heart of the picturesque South Island town of Timaru, NZ, you will find Cocoon Hair Design, a boutique hair salon that embraces artistry, transformation, personality and inclusiveness.  The woman behind this fashion-forward salon is Felicity Bruce, a self-confessed “wee greenie” who has combined her talent for hairdressing with her passion for environmental sustainability to create a high-end salon experience that also focuses on building social consciousness. 

Felicity’s first hairdressing love is setting and upstyling. This passion stems from her classical technical training in an apprenticeship that came on the tail end of the late ‘90s perming trend!  An affinity for the avant-garde led her to enter and win the NZ Hat & Hair Award – First Time Entrant in 2014, for her entry ‘Mother Nature’s Venus’. 

Travelling the world and gathering knowledge and inspiration, Felicity has worked in Sydney, London and Dublin and has experience that spans everything from the salon floor to editorial, film and catwalk. 

Returning to Timaru in 2009, she opened Cocoon Hair Design, only to be faced with adversity when the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes destroyed the salon premises. A relocation to the Royal Arcade Timaru saw the salon move from strength to strength, and what had been a 4 chair salon tripled in size to a creative team of 10!

Felicity’s particular passion for sustainability inspired her to create ‘My Salon Footprint’, a website & social media community to share information about sustainable hairdressing.  Aspiring to improve environmental awareness within the industry, Felicity has challenged the standard way of doing things and can proudly say that Cocoon Hair Design offers waste free colour techniques, boasts 10 years of composting hair, and was the winner of the 2018 Business Excellence Awards – Environmental & Sustainable Award, competing against multiple industries.

Felicity is proud member of the Joico Style Squad. She annually attends NZFW, Breast Cancer Cure “Fashion For a Cure”, and she has featured in articles for Mindfood, NZ Fashion Quarterly, Next, Headway & Images.  Her longstanding relationship with Sabre and Joico has enabled her to share her talents as a Guest Artist and Educator, and she loves the challenge of creating and teaching new salon-friendly looks and techniques that clients will love.

Guest Artists

Mikelah-Jayde Riley

MIKELAH-JAYDE STUDIO
Guest Artist

Introducing Mikelah-Jayde, the heart and soul of Mikelah-Jayde Studio in Waikiki Western Australia – she’s a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n roll and a whole lotta talented! Her salon team describe her as a natural born hairdresser. She lives and breathes all things hair and has an irresistible enthusiasm that makes her a favourite for her team and clients alike. Whether you’re looking for blonde, brunette, pastel or bright you just know she’s gonna nail it – a quick scroll of her Insta feed is proof in point, is there nothing this lady can’t do?? Mikelah’s been in the industry for 13 years and opened the doors of Mikelah-Jayde Studio in 2017.  If hairdressing is Mikelah’s true love then Mikelah-Jayde Studio is her baby.  She is passionate about making great hair available to all and opening her own salon has been the most amazing experience and opportunity to share her talents and skills with her community.  Sabre Education is beyond excited that Mikelah has come on board as a Sabre Guest Artist, we know you’re going to love her.

Craig Argent

PONY HAIR MAKEUP TANNING
Guest Artist

Craig Argent, owner and Artistic Director of Pony in Noosa, is truly an industry journeyman. A long standing guest artist of the Sabre team, he brings an enormous wealth of knowledge and broad experience.  His rich 30yrs of industry experience have seen him work at the leading salons with some of hairdressing’s elite. Craig has worked abroad as a personal hairdresser in LA, on blockbuster film sets and as a freelance stylist. His 18yrs with Joico has seen him share his experience as a Colour Technician, Guest Artist and in Product Development. His true passion lies in working with his wife in their unique concept salon in Noosa.  Craig’s ability to communicate and simplify cutting and colour techniques into commercial practice will make you a leading stylist in your shop.

Kerrie DiMattia

DIMATTIA & CO
Salon Culture & Client Experience Coach

With over 40 years in the industry, Kerrie DiMattia has worn the hats of stylist, salon owner, educator and coach, making her one of the most experienced and well-rounded individuals with whom the Sabre Family has the pleasure of working.  

Kerrie specialises in visionary leadership and promoting a management style that’s forward facing & culture focused. Kerrie has a wealth of experience working directly with salon owners and their teams as a mentor and coach. Through her work with Total Coaching Academy, she is dedicated to helping other salons to implement best business practices and achieving longevity & productivity in the salon space. Sabre Haircare is excited to announce that Kerrie is bringing her talents to our Sabre Family as our Salon Culture & Client Experience Coach! Kerrie will be facilitating workshops that focus on building strong teams and a positive culture for continued salon success. Come along to a class and chat with Kez and see how she can help transform your salon.