The Koto Culture

The Koto Hair culture is one of respect.

From the very beginning, we knew our business couldn’t exist separately from the community and the world. Every day we strive to do right by the planet by making eco-friendly choices and taking care when it comes to our impact on the environment. We pride ourselves in supporting the local community through fundraising events and causes that speak to our values.

We are truly honoured to have been recognised by our local community for the work we have done and the care we provide. We are proud of what we have achieved and what we continue to do. Our salon is a place of love, respect and genuine care. We invite you to make an appointment with one of our highly trained staff members and see for yourself what the Koto Hair culture is all about!

 

Meet the team

Kristy - Owner / Director

Read about Kristy

Kristy is our fearless leader who is the epitome of an industry professional. Kristy’s career started back in 1995 in a country town before finding her way to Malvern in 1997 and has remained in the area ever since. After managing someone else’s business for 10 Years with her sister by her side she decided it was time they go out and do things for themselves.

With all the knowledge that Kristy has gained from a lifetime in the industry she is not shy about sharing her craft and her business savvy know how. Kristy is an amazing example of what can be accomplished if you work hard and lead with Integrity.
Kristy nowadays spends equal time behind the chair looking after her guests that she has known for over 2 decades and the rest of her time leading the team.

Kristy treats everyone who comes through the door like they are part of the Koto family with her warmth and friendly disposition.

Tahleaha - Owner / Director

Read about Tahleaha

Tahleaha has the finest eye for detail you will ever come across. Some including herself, might even call her a little OCD. She has a fantastic sense of humour and loves to make people feel and look amazing when they walk out, what ever it is that you are after from the most amazing Blow Wave to mind blowing colour, she can help.

Tahleaha and Kristy are sisters and business partners and have worked together since 2000.

Tahleaha is brilliant at Keratin straightening treatments and she loves doing them. Blondes are also where she excels, being a hands-on leader she loves sharing her passion and helping others achieve their goals.

Lucy - Creative Director

Read about Lucy
Wayne - Creative Director

Read about Wayne

Wayne is an all-around amazing stylist who loves all things hair. He’s welcoming and friendly with a great sense of humour. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Wayne is well-equipped to help you find the perfect look. He has a meticulous eye for detail in everything he does, from styling to full transformations.

Wayne takes great pride in his foiling work, precision cutting, and colouring, delivering the whole package. His fur-baby Cavoodle, Cooper, loves brunches and parks almost as much as he does. When he’s not dining out with friends and catching up on good movies, you’ll find him hunting for bargain items to flip!

Jess - Master Colourist

Jess Koto Hair

Read about Jess

Jess has been an essential part of our team since 2018, bringing her expertise as our in-house Blondes and Balayage specialist. She is known for her exceptional ability to craft on-trend, effortless looks that leave every client feeling their absolute best. Jess approaches her work with genuine passion, precision, and creativity, making every appointment a personalised experience.

Beyond her technical skill, Jess brings a warm and vibrant energy to the salon. Her dedication to her clients is matched by her love for creating styles that feel both modern and timeless. We are incredibly proud to have Jess as a valued member of our salon family.

In addition to her professional prowess, Jess is a devoted and loving mother to both Lyla and Ella. Her girls are a constant source of joy and inspiration in her life, shaping the warmth and care she brings into everything she does.

Ellie - Salon Co-Ordinator

Read about Ellie

Ellie joined the team as our Salon Coordinator at the start of 2025 and has quickly become the glue that keeps the salon running smoothly. As the first point of contact for our clients, she manages everything from appointments and bookings to social media — all while keeping the team in line with her bubbly, energetic personality. Her warm, welcoming energy lights up the salon, making everyone feel instantly comfortable (and occasionally keeping us all on our toes!).

Passionate about learning what happens behind the scenes, Ellie is also studying psychology, giving her a unique perspective when supporting the team and navigating salon dynamics. She’s always happy to jump in wherever needed, making her an invaluable presence in the salon. Ellie loves working closely alongside Kristy in the daily operations — so closely, in fact, that we’re starting to think they’re sharing a brain! We’re so lucky to have her keeping the salon running smoothly, keeping us laughing, and keeping Kristy on her toes.

Emma - Senior Stylist

Read about Emma

Emma has now completed her final year of training, marking an incredible milestone in her journey with us. She has been part of the Koto family since she was just 14, growing not only in skill but also in confidence, creativity, and professionalism. Over the years, Emma has built a loyal and trusting clientele who adore her warm, friendly nature — and the care she puts into every service. Her work is effortlessly beautiful, a true reflection of her natural talent and dedication to her craft. We couldn’t be prouder of the stylist she has become.

Alongside her work in the salon, Emma has continued her business studies, and she’s currently in the salon on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Somehow, she manages to juggle school, work, and life with style — it’s honestly inspiring. And if you happen to sit in one of Emma’s chairs, prepare yourself: you’ll not only leave with amazing hair, but also probably with sore cheeks from laughing so much. Who knows… maybe with her business degree, she’s secretly plotting to take over Koto one day!

Lainey - Emerging Stylist

Read about Lainey

 Lainey has just stepped into the final year of her training, and we couldn’t be more proud of how far she’s come. Her attention to detail is truly unmatched — she approaches every service with care, precision, and a genuine passion for her craft. Lainey has a love for all aspects of hairdressing, from creating personalised haircuts to beautiful colour, always making sure each client leaves with a memorable experience and a smile thanks to her fun, easygoing humour.

Over the past year, Lainey has also grown into our leading Head Spa specialist, creating relaxing, tailored experiences that our clients absolutely adore. We’re so excited to see her continue to shine as she moves into this next chapter of her journey.

Arte - Junior Stylist

Read about Arte

Arte is our first-year apprentice and the newest member of the Koto family. Her love for hair began when she started doing her friends’ hair, discovering how rewarding it was to help them feel confident and happy. Seeing the difference a hairstyle can make inspired her to pursue hairdressing.

Arte loves making people feel good about themselves and bringing positive energy to the salon. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, watching Netflix, and is definitely a social butterfly who loves being around people.

Suli - Junior Stylist

Read about Suli

Suli is our quiet achiever and is about to step into her second year of her apprenticeship. Her passion for hair started back in school when she enjoyed braiding her own hair and her siblings’ hair, which led her to pursue hairdressing and continue developing her skills.

She enjoys connecting with people and hearing their stories while helping them feel their best. Outside of the salon, Suli loves hanging out with her golden retriever, gaming, and singing.

A Sustainable Salon

hair salons near me

Being an eco-friendly salon has always been important to us, which is why we have gone even further and made the decision to go “GREEN”.  We have partnered with Sustainable Salons Australia and can now recycle 95% of our waste – something we are incredibly proud of!

Koto Hair founders Kristy and Tahleaha are two hard-working mothers, who have put their heart and soul into creating an incredible experience for you. The salon is a sanctuary for all to come and relax, unwinding from their busy lives. It is a place for some well-deserved “me time”. Walkout feeling fresh, transformed, and confident, whether you have a completely new ‘do or a set of flirty eyelash extensions.

Located on Malvern Road in Glen Iris – Melbourne, Koto Hair offers services for both men and women.

We will always go the extra mile when it comes to our clients and always endeavor to deliver exceptional customer service. A combination of passion, professional skills, and the highest quality eco-friendly products, allows us to provide you with a comfortable salon that is also kind to the planet. We pride ourselves on always continually educating our staff and looking for ways that we can improve, to ensure we are bringing you exceptional service and building long-lasting relationships with our community.

Family is one of our biggest values, so we encourage you to bring your whole family along to our salon. From working mothers to teenagers to tiny tots, we will look after each and every member.

We promise to do our VERY BEST to make you feel your VERY BEST.

error: Content is protected !!
0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop