At Your Service – Wink Staff Bios & Photos
Christine DiBenedetto: Co-Owner/Designer/Mother/Motivator
Christine started her career as the chief stylist for her Barbie heads. Being voted best by the Mountain Xpress Readers' poll over seven times is a testament to Christine’s loyal clientele and her ability to keep them feeling fresh while maintaining healthy hair.
Joining the master design team for Rusk at an early point in her career provided an amazing foundation. Always an advocate for curly hair she has taken her passion to another level by becoming a Curl-Laborator with DEVA CURL. She loves cutting hair, being a small business owner and having the opportunity to spend time with her clients (some of the most amazing people in the world!). When you’re ready for a major change, Christine is your girl.
At night you’ll find her home kissing on her loving family: husband Tommy, daughter Hennie and son Xavier. Life is good.
Gilda Santiago: Co-Owner/Designer/Inspiration/Mother/Style Queen
With twenty five years behind the chair, you can imagine she’s seen it all. Gilda began her career in the fifth grade by busting out some Dorothy Hamil cuts on her classmates. During high school you would find her in the bathroom creating new trendy cuts on her pals. Embracing her natural talent for hair design, she began working in Westwood and Beverly Hills. She quickly became a Master Designer with Rusk International which kept her travelling as a platform artist for 10 years.
Gilda has set a precedent in Asheville for modern hair design. Numerous stylists/business owners in Asheville have been trained and inspired by this super talented hairdresser. Gilda is an inspiration in her art form. A west coast valley girl with parents from Argentina she moved to Asheville 16 years ago to be closer to family. During that time she introduced the Rusk hair care line and cutting techniques to many a hairdresser in Asheville.
When she’s not making you look and feel beautiful, she’s spending time with her incredible family: two beautiful sons, Angelo and Nico, and her husband Gil.
Se Habla Espanol.
Sarah Onanian: Business Manager/Super Woman
When we look back on life we’ll say that hiring this woman was one of the best things we ever did. This woman takes a minimum of 2000 steps a day. She is the mover and shaker of Wink, our resident Johnny-on-the-Spot.
She started her career in fashion merchandising and business management at a little place called Neiman Marcus in Boston. She is the rock that keeps Wink grounded. She should be sainted; she’s one in a million.
If you see her anywhere near poison ivy please warn her immediately. At night you’ll find her walking her dog Boots, cooking dinner with her sweetie or training for the next big race. You can’t stop this girl!
Ann Rangel: Hair Traffic Control/Salon Manager/Hipster/Student
Hurricane Katrina blew this Texan turned New Orleanian to Asheville and she hasn’t looked back since. She is the friendly voice behind Wink and the Salon Manager.
Ann has nine busy stylists to wrangle in and keep in line at all times. Her day is busy matching clients with the perfect stylist and keeping Wink in tip-top shape. She is currently pursuing a degree in Business Management and has her hands full with her son, Judah, and her man, Noah. Le Bon Temps Roule!
Amy Grooms: Designer/Tattoo Aficionado/Pin-Up devotee/5 Card Stud
As a WNC native with an affinity for pinup fashion, tattoo culture, and a proclivity for poker, Amy’s unique blend of vintage philosophy, classic strategy, and Southern hospitality makes her stand out as a hairdo guru.
A sassy but sweet pin curl that can’t be pinned down, she draws from an eclectic education in the art and craft of hair design and her own intuitive brand of cuts and colors. Amy’s a master stylist from shampoo to up-do, feathers to fade...but the ace up her sleeve is a short funky 'do. Whatever your suit, Amy’s all in. After work the stilettos come off, the skates go on- let the bruisin' begin as Amy trains for roller derby.
Dana McCoy: Stylist/Funk Soul Sister/Crafter
Dana’s called Asheville home since the beginning of 2000. In between busting out some old school curling iron techniques and creating some cute modern ‘dos, she's a full-time mama to her incredibly gorgeous daughter, Zelda.
Dana's background in dance and theatre serve her well when called upon for photo shoots and stage makeup. So whether she’s cutting the rug or cutting your locks, Dana is one groovy mama.
Miriam McNamara: Stylist/Curly Girl Lover/Future best-selling Novelist
This graduate of Warren Wilson is an Asheville enthusiast who strongly believes that healthy hair is beautiful hair. Miriam has devoted many hours to education and training in all aspects of hair, specifically curly hair. She’s also a curlaborator with DEVA- Curl.
She stays busy working the hair during the day and at night you can find her at the Champagne Bookstore working on her newest addiction: writing a novel about Pirates. ARGH!
Sarah Newman: Stylist/Health Nut/Step-Mom Extraordinaire
This Chicago-native has left the winds behind and settled with her man and his 3 sons in the mountains since 2007. Sarah’s hyper-focused cut and color technique along with her honesty and wacky sense of humor have helped her to create a loyal clientele. After work you can find her either at Amazing Savings or running her heart out at the YMCA.
Theresa Sczudlo: Stylist/Crossword Puzzle Junkie
A Rochester, NY native, Theresa has made Asheville her home for the past 5 years. Her belief that education is the foundation of a great stylist and her desire to never stop learning has her jet setting to hair shows all over the country.
Theresa began her training with advanced Vidal Sassoon techniques. She has also been an educator for Wella Hair Color. She loves vivid hair color and has an affinity for hair styles that range from low maintenance to funky fun ‘dos. At night you'll find Theresa loving on her bunny rabbit and dog and playing around in her garden.
---
Job Openings
Wink is currently looking for an established hair
dresser with his or her own clientele to join our
team of fantastic stylists. If interested, please
email your resume to salon@ilovewink.com, then follow up by calling 828.277.4070.
