Amika is launching its Stylist Collective with  an inaugural class of five stylists—Yene Damtew, Jes Jewel, Pekela Riley, Sal Salcedo, and Eric Vaughn.

The team of team of visionary hairstylists will represent Amika’s artistry and education program. They will create fresh, inspirational, salon-friendly classes and content; attend national pop-up events and large-scale brand events; and create digital and educational social media content for the amika pro stylist community. 

The Amika Stylist Collective members are:

• Yene Damtew, from the Washington D.C. Metro Area, is an Ethiopian-American salon owner and hairstylist with nearly two decades in the industry. She’s driven by a passion for making a lasting impact through her holistic approach to beauty, blending business, education, and hairstyling.


• Jes Jewel from Los Angeles, CA, is a talented queer color specialist and celebrity stylist at the award-winning Butterfly Loft Salon in LA. She is best known for creating hand-painted buzzcuts and her popular styling content. Her work draws inspiration from her ’90s roots and LA’s artistic community.


• Pekela Riley, from Jacksonville, FL, is an award-winning celebrity stylist, advocate, and educator.


• Sal Salcedo, from Los Angeles, CA and originally from Mexico, is a talented hairstylist with more than two decades in the industry. He has made a name for himself working with celebrities and creating iconic hairstyles.


• Eric Vaughn, from Houston, TX, is a salon owner and hair aficionado. Eric is famous for his ability to blend modern and classic styles through cuts, color, and extensions.

Chelsea Riggs, Amika’s new CEO, comments, The amika Stylist Collective has been a long time in the making. Not only are these artists trailblazers in the industry and within their respective specialties, but each embodies amika’s core brand values of sustainability, responsibility, and inclusivity.”

Amika says it strives to elevate and support the professional industry with its product and educational offerings. The Stylist Collective will strengthen its professional roots through unique points of view, new hair and business techniques, and increased stylist community exposure.