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
Lucy, our award-winning creative director, boasts over 15 years of industry experience, with more than a decade dedicated to refining her craft here at Koto. She is a welcoming, warm, and seasoned professional, continually seeking to infuse on-trend styles into our salon. Whether it’s sharp and bold cuts or soft and seamless looks, Lucy’s expertise shines through in every detail. Her approach emphasises soft natural colours and personalised tones, working closely with clients to achieve their perfect look.
Lucy leads with integrity and respect, leveraging her extensive training in Melbourne and London to mentor and nurture our team, taking pride in each member’s growth and craftsmanship.
Tess - Creative Director
Read about Tess
Tess is our superwoman, always ready to take on anything. As one of our leading colourists and balayage specialists, Tess has proven herself as an invaluable member of the team since day one. With the ability to create a client’s dream look, whether it be editorial, short and sharp, or soft and undone, Tess brings her unique flair to every appointment.
Having started and completed her apprenticeship at Koto, Tess has grown immensely as a stylist, infusing her own style into her passion for hair. With a keen eye for what’s on trend and popular, she can help you achieve the hair you’ve always wanted.
Tess embraces every opportunity to expand her knowledge of hair and business, consistently pushing herself to new heights. Despite her expertise in balayage and colour, Tess chooses to keep her areas of expertise broad, making her one of Koto’s best all-rounders.
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
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Jess, an essential member of our team since the beginning of 2018, holds the role of our in-house Blondes and Balayage specialist. Known for her exceptional skills in crafting on-trend looks that leave you feeling amazing, Jess brings an unmatched passion to her work.
In addition to her professional prowess, Jess is a devoted and loving mother. Her beautiful daughter, Lyla, has been a constant source of joy and inspiration. Recently, Jess welcomed her second baby, Ella, into the world and is currently on maternity leave. We’re thrilled to share in Jess’s joy as she embraces this new chapter in her life.
Jess’s dedication to ensuring you look and feel your best is matched only by her enthusiasm for creating stylish and personalised looks. We value the vibrant energy and creativity she brings to our team and are grateful to have her as a cherished member of our salon family.
Jordenne - Principal Stylist
Read about Jordenne
Meet Jordenne, a remarkable hairdresser with an unparalleled attention to detail. Her passion for balayages, blondes, hair extensions, up-styles, and braiding knows no bounds—she truly excels in all aspects of styling. Jordenne’s dedication to her craft led her to collaborate with Kevin Murphy at Melbourne Fashion Week, igniting a newfound enthusiasm for working on fashion shows. Always striving for excellence, Jordenne recently completed a course in hair extensions, further expanding her expertise.
Throughout her years with us, Jordenne has continually impressed us with her talent and creativity. We eagerly anticipate the future endeavors of this exceptionally gifted woman. Outside the salon, Jordenne finds solace in the company of her family and her beloved cats, Leo and Smudge. Whether she’s creating stunning looks in the salon or enjoying cozy moments at home, Jordenne’s passion and talent shine through in everything she does.
Jayde - Salon Co-Ordinator
Read about Jayde
Meet Jayde, a valued member of the Koto family. Jayde serves as your first point of contact at Koto, greeting you with her infectious smile and cheerful demeanour whether you visit us in person or connect over the phone.
Behind the scenes, Jayde plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of our bustling salon. From managing bookings to curating our social media presence, she handles it all with grace and efficiency. A true team player, Jayde eagerly jumps in wherever needed, contributing to the vibrant energy of our salon.
Jayde’s remarkable multitasking abilities are evident as she flawlessly manages the schedules of a dozen stylists while pursuing a business certificate course. Outside of work and studies, you’ll often find Jayde at the gym, enjoying quality time with her boyfriend and their adorable Sausage Dog, Winston, or relishing moments with her cherished friends. With her dedication, intelligence, and warm personality, Jayde is an indispensable part of our salon community, and we’re grateful to have her on board.
Emma - Emerging Stylist
Read about Emma
Emma is our Rising star! Emma has been working with us since 2020 and she is one hard working young woman; you may not have seen her around because not only is Emma an awesome member of the Koto team, but she has also just finished her final year of secondary school so, when she wasn’t at school or at the salon, she was at trade school.
This young woman has a passion for the industry, and she has so much natural ability that we just love nurturing. Emma is loving everything hairdressing has to offer and is willing to take on anything that we throw her way. Emma is now in her third year and final year of training and is with us full time. We are so excited to be on this journey with this absolute powerhouse of a human and we are so lucky to have her as part of the team.
Andrea - Emerging Stylist
Read about Andrea
After a long career in early childhood education, Andrea sent her 6th child off to high school and decided the time was right to finally pursue her childhood dream of becoming a hairdresser. Whilst being the busy mother of 6, Andrea has a natural flair for everything hair, fashion and beauty and has also worked for some top fashion labels over the years.
We feel so lucky to have Andrea join the Koto family and we are sure that you’ll agree that her bubbly personality and positive energy is contagious and you can’t help but have a smile on your face while she’s around.
Lainey - Emerging Stylist
Read about Lainey
Meet Lainey, our dynamic first-year hairdressing apprentice, whose passion for hair blossomed at the age of 10. Fascinated by the transformative nature of hairstyling, she eagerly pursued her interest. Before Koto, Lainey gained two years of experience working in a home salon while completing her Certificate II during her junior year.
When not in the salon, Lainey enjoys basking in the sun with her faithful dog, Pendles, finding inspiration in nature for her creative endeavours. With boundless enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence, Lainey is poised to embark on a journey of learning and growth in the world of hairstyling.
A Sustainable Salon
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.