OUR TEAM - Cook Street Village
Meet our friendly team of professionals who can't wait to welcome you to our award-winning salon!
- #1 Salon in the 2023 Times Colonist Reader's Choice Awards
- Voted #1 Best salon in the City in 2022
- Voted the Best Salon in BC in 2020 and Best Hair Stylist 2019: Philip Ferreira
- Award-winning master stylists with over 30 years' of experience
- We are the only Advanced Level DevaCurl salon (a specialized cutting system from NYC) and offer curly hair extensions
- The only official Bellami Hair Extension certified salon on Vancouver Island
- Certified to offer Japanese Hair Straightening and Smoothing Treatments
- Neuma, Maria Nila and Yon-ka skincare- cruelty-free professional products are sold here, plus our bespoke retail selection of locally made products
- Outstanding customer service — visit us and see for yourself!
Interested in joining our incredible team? Visit our Careers page.
Creative Director, Master Stylist and Co-Owner
Philip Ferreria - Creative Director, Co-Owner, Master Stylist Level 5
Instagram: @hairphilosophy
(Call to book, new clients welcome)
Philip was born and raised in Montreal by Portuguese immigrant parents. His father was a tailor and his mother worked by his side making leather goods. While the family struggled to make a living, Philip remembers always having beautiful leather jackets and being well supported and loved. Philip dreamt of being an architect but when the family relocated to Victoria in Grade 12, he didn’t speak enough English to attend college. With language as a barrier to education, he worked construction until he found a mentor who introduced him to the world of hair. He worked the night shift at Denny’s, travelled to Nanaimo for his BC hair license, all the while being a young father.
Philip is the only Canadian to have won International Trend Vision, Sassoon trained, he’s travelled the world educating and he’s an inspiring artist and cutter. The best thing about Philip, besides his obvious talent, is he’s the kindest man you’ll ever meet. Find out more about educational opportunities to learn from Philip.
Stylists
Louisa Vukovic MA, Red Seal Endorsement - Level 5 and Operations Manager
Instagram: @element.amenities
Louisa was born in Europe and immigrated to Canada as a child. Supported by her strong European father and artistic mother, she began her hair career at 18 years old and has been working in the industry for over 30 years. Louisa has traveled extensively and acquired advanced Vidal Sassoon training in London, England and Vancouver, BC. She moved to Victoria to complete her masters degree. She brings that east coast vibe to shake things up a bit. Her favourite hair service is creating beautiful colours and loves getting to know the community in Cook Street Village. When she’s not creating fabulous hair, she’s playing with a sewing machine or spending time with her family.
Shayla Rees - Level 4
Shayla’s passion is to transform tired and over-processed hair back into a healthy and luxurious mane. It is a journey that she goes through with her clients focusing on patience, proper care and maintenance. With every visit to the salon, Shayla’s clients can always count on a great head massage! She truly believes it is the best part! Her favourite way to finish hair services is with a classic big round brush blowout… because let’s be honest… it is so satisfying! She loves creating naturally blended looks that allow for graceful grow outs, but is always up for any hair challenge. She is very skilled in all areas and has a passion for short cuts!
A few fun facts about Shayla are that she likes to collect different salt and pepper shakers, her favourite animal is the blue whale and tacos & sushi are the way to her heart!
Silent Service Option- If you would like to enjoy your time with me in silence, please add it to your appointment notes or ask the front desk when you check in.
Erin Mitchell - Level 4 (she/her)
Instagram: @erin_styles
Erin is a born and raised Islander. Although she loves our island, she has had a life long passion for travel. Guatemala is like a second home to her, which has fuelled her love for tacos and margaritas! In her free time, she loves practicing yoga and soaks up as much time in nature as possible!
Erin loves all things creative. For her passion, drawing and tattooing are her go to outlets. With an eye for design, she finds herself drawn to edgy short textured hairstyles. It's a way she can help her clients express their own personal style. In hair colouring she loves the natural beauty of softly blended highlights, while on the other hand comes in hot with creating bold bright reds.
Silent Service Option- If you would like to enjoy your time with me in silence, please add it to your appointment notes or ask the front desk when you check in.
Marlee Beache - Level 4, balayage specialist & Certified in Bellami Hair Extensions
Instagram: @marmarthesuperstar
Marlee is originally from Calgary and studied at Marvel Cosmetology school grad of 2015. While in school she was an apprentice and has over 7 years behind the chair. Marlee loves balayage, big colour changes and transformations. She’s a self taught pasta maker, so Sundays are Italian nights at her house. She’s an avid reader and traveller. She’s lived in Holland and got her love of biking from there. Marlee works at Cook Street during the week and is Downtown at View on Saturdays.
This feisty Taurus is passionate about all things hair. An avid gardener, seamstress, reader and gym rat, Anne also speaks fluent Tagalog. Her first hair gig was at the age of 12, her favourite colour is rainbow and her work ethic is hardcore. She’s a master at men’s cuts, loves hair extensions and vivids.
Judy has worked in the hair industry over 25 years. She finds inspiration in the fact that it is forever growing and changing. Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec and raised on Vancouver Island, Judy has had the opportunity to live, travel and work in many different places. In 1998 she moved back to the island from living in Toronto, where she had been rocking the hair scene for 15 years!
Peter Hamilton - Level 4 & Certified in Bellami Hair Extensions
Instagram: @p.hamilton_hair
Peter has been working in the hairdressing industry as a stylist/colourist and trainer since 2002. His passion for hair has continued to grow throughout this time.
Angel Godin - Level 3 (she/her)
Instagram: @hairwaaytoheaven_
Angel has a multitude of passions. As a true creative she enjoys many different outlets for her expression. First and foremost she loves growing her career as a hairstylist. She prides herself on being a good listener and a hard worker. Both of these attributes are important strengths to have in the hair industry. With these skills and her relaxed demeanour, she confidently communicates with clients and delivers dreamy hair results. When she is not behind the chair, Angel loves being an artist, photographer and a dog mom to her fur baby.
Brooklyn Atkins - Level 3
Instagram: @hair.by_brooklynXO
Brooklyn has always known she was going to be a hair stylist. Born and raised right here in Victoria, where she lives with her soon to be spouse and their dog Milo and cat Zuri, all of whom she is crazy about. Her family is her whole world.
In her career, Brooklyn keeps up with her training and staying up to date with the latest trends. She believes that creating lasting relationships with her clients is key to delivering their desired hair goals, right from the first visit! Short haircuts are her jam, and as far as colour goes she is all about lived in blondes. From Balayage to highlights, she gets them. It's a colour area that she has had great successes in achieving hair dreams. Brooklyn loves a good blowout and does beautiful styling work.
Silent Service Option- If you would like to enjoy your time with me in silence, please add it to your appointment notes or ask the front desk when you check in.
Gabriela Dominguez - Level 3 and Beauty Technician
Durga Phelan - Level 2, curl specialist
Gwen has an eye for style and attention to detail. She's an environmental enthusiast and as someone born and raised in Victoria, she loves being out in nature. She's always eager to work on varieties of hair lengths/textures and prides herself on her expertise with long length styles! She's working towards her Red Seal certification.
Beauty Technicians
Jen has been working at her career in esthetics for over 20 years. She jumped into the industry right out of high school, where she received her first training in Saskatoon. Over the years she has been lucky enough to have experienced a few different careers, one of which was becoming a journeyman welder! Through it all she never lost her passion for beauty, continuing as a nail tech over those 20 years and adding new skills along the way like eyelash extensions. Jen moved to Victoria in 2017 with her son, and has thrived. She loves hiking, paddle boarding, yoga and is always down for an island adventure. Jen is excited to expand her career even farther, and is looking forward to offering aesthetics full time.
Salon Management
Matilda White - Salon Coordinator
Originally from Kenora – a small town in Northwestern Ontario – Matilda spent time in Winnipeg where she completed a degree in Psychology, Indigenous Studies, and Political Science before heading off to Gatineau for a year while studying simultaneously at the Toronto Film School and the University of Calgary. After deciding she needed a break from school, Matilda packed up and moved to Tofino where she spent the last 10 months living in a converted cube van by the ocean before ultimately deciding to land in Victoria with her childhood best friend.
A true Renaissance woman, Matilda has seemingly done it all, working in a diverse array of fields – from landscaping to education, hospitality to social work, outdoor recreation to childcare – before joining us in the wonderful world of hair! In her spare time, Matilda plays soccer and is an avid creative writer.
Currently thriving at the front desk, Matilda has already mastered our booking system and is an absolute gem. Come say hello! She also speaks French.