10 MINUTES with Cristina Tatasciore

By Louise May

Cristina Tatasciore is the Artistic Director and Owner of Flipped Hair. She started off as an apprentice 23 years ago in a salon called ATS Hair which coincidentally is where Flipped Hair - Brunswick currently resides. Through her experience working in ATS and other salons, Cristina always had her own vision of her own business, and 5 years ago in 2018, found a cute little spot in Preston with her first Flipped Hair Salon on Gilbert Rd.

Through lockdown in 2021, Cristina was given the opportunity to expand her dreams of Flipped Hair, taking in the salon where she originally started back in Brunswick. “It was a crazy time to take over a business and take up the challenge, but there were no regrets!” she says.

Cristina and Flipped Hair have been killing it, with her being named Victorian Hairdresser for the year for 2020 and 2021 and a finalist for Australian Hairdresser of the Year in 2022 and 2023!

Editor of Hair Biz Louise May spends 10 minutes with Cristina Tatasciore, chatting all things business and life…

Can you tell us a little about Flipped Hair?

Flipped Hair is a place of equality and acceptance to anyone; we are a friendly bunch and have created a fun environment bringing anyone’s hair dreams to come true. We are super creative and are a talented team that are passionate about hair, providing the best colour and cuts in town. We are all about transformations and are so slick with our work!

We have done so well since the day of opening both salons and have gone through a lot to be where we are today. Attached to Brunswick was a barber shop which we experienced for almost a year; however, this was not something I was passionate about and had ideas to step into being an educator in the hair industry.

I had a vision to remove the barber shop and renovate and expand the salon to be able to cater in-salon training internally and externally. The salon is stunning, and I am so happy I now have the space to be able to contribute to the growth of our industry.

Would you share a little more about you and your background?

I grew up in Coburg, which is in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, in a big Italian family, with a cousin who lived in every street, which meant we were always up to some mischief. My childhood was real fun, I grew up with 2 older brothers, and all my cousins were boys, so I guess they taught me how to be strong and stand up for myself.

I was treated like a princess by my Dad, as I was the only girl in the family, but my mum always brought me back to reality and showed me life’s not easy, and you have to make something of yourself. “Don’t depend on a man, if you want something, you got to go get it”, she would say, so, I guess I live by this motto every day of my life, and it’s something I want my 2 girls to know and live by, as well.

How did you first get involved in the industry and what inspired you?

I have been living and breathing hair ever since I was a little girl, possibly as little as 5 years old. My auntie had a hair salon, and I loved being in there with her on Saturdays, watching her perm and doing sets on older ladies, who would come in every week. I knew from a young age, this is what I wanted to do. However, growing up in a traditional Italian family, my parents didn’t want to see me getting into this industry, as they thought it would take me away from family time.

I had to do everything in my power to convince them, that this is what I was born to do. Today, I can say that my parents are totally proud, and really see that this is what I love… to live, eat and breathe, and they both now know that I’m living my dream and passion.

Where do you get your inspiration from with your Collections?

The inspiration behind my collections, always has a meaning to it. They take a lot of thought and consideration into what I come up with. The story behind each collection comes from a personal experience or someone in my life that is going through something, and another big inspiration is music videos that relate to me.

This generally gives me my idea, and then from there, my brain starts to tick with concepts and hair inspiration and the type of models I think will suit and the mood I want it to portray. And of course, these collections always have to showcase my personality and who I am as a person today. I always try to achieve something different and on-trend from what I have done in the past or what other collections have been created.

I love having the originality of my collection to stand out and also love that if a client walks through my door, the style or colour is something I can replicate for them and not just for the award collection. I keep my focus on being creative with hair and less props to create the look I am going for.

What achievement are you most proud of in your life or career?

To be honest, I have gone through a lot in my life to get to where I am today. The proudest thing I have in my life, are the 2 beautiful daughters, Ariana and Taliah, and my husband Simone! Without them, I don’t feel like a lot I have done, could have happened.

I have a very supportive husband who pushes me to chase my dreams and to make them come true and my 2 daughters give me a push naturally, to show them, that as women we are strong, and we can do and be whatever we like. I do everything in my power to make them proud of me as their mother and as the person I want to be in my career.

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what alternative career would you consider?

I have never been asked this question as much as I have been asked this year ha-ha and the answer would truly be I don’t see myself doing anything else, but if I sit and think about it and push my brain a little, I would say that potentially I would be cooking somewhere, maybe just possibly a CHEF.

Three things you’re passionate about:

1) The Hair Industry!

2) Being a good role model, not only for my team but for my kids and anyone else I can inspire!

3) Chasing my dreams and making things come true and not holding back!

Describe your ideal Sunday: Sunday is family day for me! Taking my girls out to wherever they want! Making sure they keep smiling and being able to give them moments in their life they won’t forget. As a business owner, it gets tough to be able to give your family 100%. So, when I have my days off, I want to be able to give my kids those moments!

What’s on your bucket list?

To be honest I don’t ever think of a bucket list, as every day I make the most of the day. Treating it as it could be my last. I live life with no regrets and tackle all my shit head on and if I want to do something, just try and stop me.

What’s playing on your Spotify right now?

I love my RnB and Rap, anything from Biggie, Tupac, Missy Elliot, and Metallica and also adding in some House Tunes lately, as you can see, I’m a mixed unit, if it is good and has a sick beat, you’ll get me jamming to it!!

If you could leave this industry having achieved just one thing, what would that legacy be?

Opening my own salon and winning awards! I am still aiming to take Australian Hairdresser of the Year! I would say the main one, is having passed on all my knowledge to the next Gen and making sure they always push boundaries, be different and don’t try being something you’re not. Always, always, and always play to your strengths. Work hard because it pays off.

Do you have a motto or signature life philosophy?

My life motto is when you’re wanting to do something, do it with your whole heart and don’t half-ass the job.

What does contentment mean to you?

Being mentally and emotionally satisfied with things as they are. Excepting the outcomes when you know you have given it your all.

What’s your greatest fear?

The biggest fear I have would be around my daughters, making sure that as a mother I am doing everything I need to do, to make sure that they are always feeling safe and sound. As a parent, it is really hard not to feel this every day. It is one of the biggest responsibilities I will ever have.