Gilda Santiago: Co-Owner / Teacher / Mother / Style queen

CO owner and stylist, Gilda is a vet – 25 years in the business. She’s west coast - originally from LA with roots in Argentina. Gilda began her career in Westwood and Beverly Hills. She was a Master Designer platform artist with Rusk for 10 years and was responsible for introducing Rusk products to Asheville. She’s lent her knowledge to many aspiring hairstylists in Asheville. She’s our resident Director of Education for Wink. When she’s not making you look beautiful or shopping she’s with her two beautiful sons.

 

Christine DiBenedetto: Co-Owner / Designer / Mother / Motivator

Leo, comedienne, former burlesque starlet, curly hair and cleavage advocate, sociologist, lover of all things: food, friends and family at the top, one helluva motivated gal! This one’s been voted “Best Hairdresser” by the Mountain Express Readers Poll 4x running. Christine had a brief stint as a platform artist on the Master Design Team for Rusk International. She loves cutting hair and really loves her wink crew- the best group of people anyone could have ever dreamed of. If you are ready for a major change Christine is the one to do it. When not working you will find her kissing her daughter, coming up with ideas and cooking.

 

Sarah Onanian: Hero / Manager / Bostonian

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 the shaker of Wink our resident Johnny on the spot. She started her career in fashion buying and merchandising at a tiny store called Niemans, heard of it? She handles our buying and Management of Wink. If you see her anywhere near poison ivy please warn her immediately. She should be sainted; she’s one in a million. At night you’ll find her walking her dog Boots or helping her sweetie with his business Ecotrips / your electric downtown get around.

 

Ann Rangel: Hair Traffic Controller / Mother / Texan / Hipster

This Texas native and New Orleans transplant was blown here with Katrina and never looked back. Ann’s a lover of good music, including that made by her husband. She is the friendly coordinator of the salon and Assistant Manager of Wink. She’s got 10 hairdressers to corral and helps keep everyone running on a tight schedule and finding the right hairdresser for each client. She is pursuing a degree in Business, Arts Management while raising her very cool kid, Judah.

 

Atia Triplett: Designer / Mother / Down Home Girl

An Asheville Native started in the business at 22 and has been a great stylist from day one. Atia loves to show off her skills with the ponytail cutting technique and does some of the most beautiful bobs you’ve ever seen. When not raising her two insanely gorgeous sons, one who is the future MVP of the year for the Atlanta Braves (he’s only 5 but it will happen)… she is definitely not cooking. She’s a pro at Fashion can make you runway ready in no time.

 

Chloe White: Designer / Gardener / Zapata

A dancer at heart, this bombshell is particularly fond of the Salsa. Chloe’s roots span across the continent from San Fran to upstate New York. She has worked on various films as both a hairstylists and makeup artist here in Asheville. But keep your eyes peeled for Chloe whilst vacationing in Central America. With her developing Spanish language skills, Chloe hopes to go global soon. She’s been in industry for six years. During her lifelong pursuit of happiness she obsesses over her garden.

 

Beth Beishcheck: Designer / Artist / Mother / Seamstress

With her vast background in the arts it’s no wonder that she finally found her calling in the hair biz. A graduate of Savannah College of art and design a degree in fiber arts (sculpture) and three years studying architecture, she’s the very tall girl to call if you ever want to balance a building on your heard. Beth LOVES sewing and costuming and loves to create masterpieces – whether she is art directing fashion shoots or shows. She’s a dedicated mother of one rambunctious son and her DJing husband who’s in grad school for landscape architecture.

 

Dana McCoy: Designer / Mother / Funk Soul Sister / Crafter

This sassy dame of Wink has called Asheville home for the last 7 years. In between busting out some killer old school curling iron techniques, she’s a preacher’s wife; but don’t think Dana is all old fashioned. This girl is funky fresh with a feisty style. After Winkin’ it, you might find Dana singing with “Rev. Zootie’s Saturday Night Sinners Choir”, or maybe you’ll catch her at the theatre backstage on make-up crew. Dana’s background in dance & theater serve her well when called upon for photo shoots & stage makeup. So whether you’re cutting the rug or cutting your locks, Dana is a groovy mama!

 

Chad Norris: Designer / Color artist / Educator / Biker dude

This tall cup of water is a second generation hairdresser. Growing up in the business has given him a passion that is evident in his work. He’s a Logics color expert and also spent years as a platform artist/educator with Matrix. He also has a passion for curly hair. Any chance he gets he’s living his Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance dream and yes, he has GREAT helmet hair. If you ever have a connection for Madonna tickets please tell Chad.

 

Miriam McNamara: Designer / Color artist / Dancer/ Dog Lover

Before becoming a designer this Irish lass wasn’t River Dancing- she was belly dancing. A Warren Wilson graduate with a degree in Elementary Education. Not only can she do an amazing updo and a funky textured cut, she’ll quiz you on the capitals and grammar from behind the chair. Just like one of her good students she eats all her vegetable (from her garden) and loves spending time with her Shar-pai mix Lucy.

 

Amy Grooms: Designer/ Tattoo Aficionado/ Pin up Lover

A WNC Native she’s into all things vintage hair and cars at the top of her list. With a penchant for tattooing much to her mother’s dismay she just loves the pinup girl! She’s studied Pivot Point and loves to do hair that’s fun, edgy and “fantasy”. While studying hair she placed first in all competitions and won several awards. On her spare time she’s sipping on dirty martini’s and trying out new recipes .

 

Sarah Newman: Designer. Scorpio. Step Mom Extraordinaire

Hailing from the Windy City our brutally honest Midwesterner will tell it like it is- behind the chair or sitting in one. After 8 years in the business her core belief is enhancing your natural beauty is always the best approach. This philosophy is evident in her work; she loves strong crisp bob shapes, beachy sun-kissed color and beautiful healthy curls. She is quite the magician with eyebrows- a perfect arch and shape every time. On her free time she loves big city travel, her family and a Chicago style pizza.