SPOTLIGHT ON A HOT SHOT
ELIE KASHI Continuing our series of articles on the 2020/21 HOT SHOTS Team, we finish up with none other than Elie Kashi from Royals hair. Elie started doing hair when he was 15 at his uncle’s celebrity salon in Syria while also studying English Literature. At the age of 18 he was managing the salon but when war hit his country, this tale becomes not only one of passion and determination but also of bravery when he was kidnapped by ISIS! Thankfully after being rescued and saved by the army he fled to Lebanon and after two years requested to come to Australia as a refugee. The rest as they say is history, where, after some time in a local salon he found his ‘home’ at Royals Hair in Sydney and part of the family with Adam and Mary Alamine. His accolades to date include 2018 AHFA Finalist Apprentice of the Year, 2019 Hair Expo Finalist Artistic Team of the Year, 2019 Key Stylist at GenNext Hair Expo, 2019 AHFA Finalist Artistic Team of the Year, 2019 AHFA Finalist Hot Shots and 2020 AHIA Winner Shots. Elie is in discussions now to become a business partner with Mary and Adam in a new salon, a testament to his skillset and drive, so we caught up with Elie to talk about his life here in Australia, his future goals and his dreams. We certainly hope all he wishes for will come true for this resilient and beautiful individual.
What made you want to be a hairdresser?
I grew up with a family full of hairdressers, but I mainly love the
feeling you get when you can make someone happy and confidant or even give them the ability to change their life by simply doing their hair. It is something you can’t find just anywhere.
What kind of hair work is your favourite and why?
I enjoy everything I do in hair, but I find colouring is where I can express my creativity and happiness. Really, it’s an unending world when it comes to colouring and I believe it is a great way of challenging myself in my technical and creative ability.
What inspired you to become a business partner with royals in a new salon and how did that come about?
Sometimes what you need comes about by just being honesty, loyal and reliable. I am so lucky that I am working with Royals where you are actually seen and appreciated. We are more like a family and now still working on the potential partnership but Covid has delayed things a little. We are in no rush and when the time is right I am sure it will be good for us all.
How to you manage life and work balance?
To be honest my life is about hair all the time. I don’t call it work when I enjoy what I do. If I have a day off I often just pop into the salon and see if they need any help or do some online educating.
Who inspires you in the creative field of hairdressing and why?
Sharon Blain! She inspires me in so many ways. The creativity and passion she has for the hair industry is amazing and to share her
