Meet ELEVEN Australia Collective member Katie Guise

Tell us about yourself?

Hi, I’m Katie Guise! I’m 31 years old and have been in the hair industry for over 15 years. My journey began in West London, where I started as an apprentice, learning the foundations of hairdressing. From there, I gained experience working in a variety of salons, as well as in fashion and session work, which allowed me to explore different aspects of the industry and refine my skills. 2.5 years ago, I took a major step in my career and opened my first salon, a dream I had worked towards for years. Being able to create a space where both my clients and team feel inspired and confident has been incredibly rewarding. I absolutely love working alongside ELEVEN and the Collective team, as it fuels my creativity and allows me to collaborate with other passionate artists. Surrounding myself with talented individuals who share the same drive and love for the industry constantly pushes me to grow, learn, and evolve as a stylist.

What did the collective get up to this month?

This month has been massive for the ELEVEN Australia Collective team! Not only did we have an amazing cutting education session with the incredible Ben Nott, but we also had the honour of assisting Joey Scandizzo and Andrew O’Toole on the Sydney to Shoreditch Tour. The energy, creativity, and talent in the room were just unreal, and being part of something so inspiring has only fueled my passion even more.

Why did you want to become a hairdresser?

I’ve always wanted to do hair. Even from the age of eight, I was obsessed! I used to cut my grandad’s hair for £1 (don’t worry, I’ve had a price increase since then). I even still have the last pound he ever gave me from 22 years ago—it’s something I’ll always treasure. Hair has always been and always will be my passion; there’s nothing else I could imagine doing.

What would you say your speciality is and why?

Although I specialize in colour, my absolute favourite thing is taking a client on a complete hair journey, from start to finish. There’s something so rewarding about working with someone over time to completely transform their hair, whether it’s a major colour change, restoring hair health, or helping them rediscover their confidence. That transformation process is what keeps me inspired every single day.

If you could be a famous hairdresser, who would it be and why?

If I could be a famous hairdresser, hands down, it would be Sally Brooks. What a boss—an incredible talent and a true icon in the industry! Her work is next-level, and her passion for education and creativity is something I really admire.

If you could invent something for the hairdressing industry, what would it be?

If I could invent one thing for the hair industry, it would definitely be trolley wheels that never get hair caught in them. Seriously, someone needs to make this happen! Every hairstylist knows the struggle, and I feel like this would be a game-changer in the salon.