The founder and owner of Walter Claudio Salon, which opened its doors in 1991.

Walter is happily married and the father of two children. He loves to cook, garden and is a Ducati motorcycle enthusiast and international soccer aficionado. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, raised in California and Italy and fluent in three languages, Walter Claudio has shared his talents across the globe as an educator, consultant, trainer and platform artist. For the past 30 years, Claudio has traveled the world: New York, Paris, Munich, Milan, Japan, South America, the Caribbean Islands, Australia, New Zealand and Los Angeles working as a hairstylist, behind the scenes of fashion photo shoots and hair shows. Walter Claudio is also a dedicated world wide educator holding various appointments as a consultant and educator for Goldwell International, Schwarzkopf and Aveda as an Aveda Global Master and served as a member of the Aveda Salon Business Advisory Panel. Walter Claudio also received the prestigious Global Salon Business Award in Barcelona, Spain.

His work has been published in numerous trade magazines, such as ​Esthetica, Modern Salon, American Salon ​and ​Salon Today​, as well as consumer magazines, such as ​Los Angeles, SPA, InStyle, Santa Barbara, C Magazine​.

Claudio has styled for the runway shows of Chloe, Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney, Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo, Monquie Lhullier, Roberto Cavelli, Samora and numerous LA Fashion Week shows.

More importantly, as a salon owner in Santa Barbara, California, he is devoted to a local and celebrity clientele, as well as creating innovative education and business systems that support and inspire staff and colleagues alike to be successful in the world of beauty. Being a hairstylist first and foremost, nothing can compare to the daily work of being a salon owner, creative director of Walter Claudio Salon (after his namesake) and mentor to the people of his salon. As he says, “Our team is what motivates me to be ‘on top of my game’ and continually improve as a stylist, leader and human being.”His motto is that without education the doors to enlightenment are closed.” For Walter Claudio it is apparent that education is a serious lifelong pursuit.

Walter Claudio is the creator of HeadMapping Color System™, Business of Color Seminar, designer of ColorMix Collection of salon furniture and co-creator of ColorBiz™, the first salon software for salon owners and colorists.

Who Inspires you?
“My wife Angela. Her tenacity and commitment to our family is remarkable.”

My mentor is…?
“Professionally, the late Horst Rechalbacher, founder of Aveda^®; As a child my mother, Aida; As an adult, my father-in-law, Carmelo.”

What is your proudest accomplishment?
“My two children, Claudio and Analiza. They are both such amazing beautiful people with incredible souls and hearts and a passion to succeed in life that surpasses anything that I have ever possessed. They put an exclamation point on my life story.”

Your Favorite Designer?
“Giorgio Armani. His sense of style is timeless.”

The perfect ending to a hectic day?
“Family dinner on our balcony.”

When I’m not working I like to spend my time…
“Traveling with my family, cooking, gardening and following international soccer.”

I never leave home without…?
“Recording a Anthony Bourdain episode.”

Favorite Vacation Spot?
“It is actually not just ‘one’ place but it rather encompasses the entire Southern region of Italy.”

If you could live anywhere in the world…where would you like to call home?
“On a beach in Sicily, Italy.”

Jesse began her career with Walter Claudio in 2004​ ​after enrolling in the Los Angeles Apprenticeship Program. While in the program, she attended rigorous classes, workshops, and courses with Vidal Sassoon and Aveda® in New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. While building her clientele, giving each guest pristine and customized service, Jesse continued her education and path to become a Master Stylist. Her dedication to her craft elevated as she uprooted herself and temporarily moved to Santa Monica to attend the Comprehensive Cutting Class at Vidal Sassoon for six weeks. After returning from that extensive course, Jesse’s commitment to excellence was bar none.

But don’t let that fool you, Jesse is an incredible hair colorist as well. She is a certified HeadMapping™ hair colorist and has a beautiful nact for color formulation and combinations. Her consistency and precision is what keeps guests happy in her chair. Jesse’s passion for what she does is driven by an artistic eye and a dedicated sense of focus. She has worked behind-the-scenes in various shows, such as Aveda’s Congress and Master Jams with Master Stylists like Rudy Miles, Ana Karzis, and DJ Freed, LA Fashion Week for the designer Samora, charity events like Priscilla Presley’s Charity, Dream Foundation, and Teddy Bear Foundation, as well as local fashion shows, such as Roberto Cavalli, Chloe, and Stella McCartney. She has also worked in editorial for magazines such as American Riviera, as well as in television for KEYT’s Weekly Morning Makeover Show.

With all of that said, her guests always comes first, as she puts an emphasis on client communication. This is essential when it comes to knowing what the guest in her chair wants in order to make them look and feel their best.

Before moving to the West Coast from Cincinnati, OH, Dustin traveled throughout the midwest as a razor-cut hair model, where he discovered his affinity for haircutting. No opportunity was passed as he took in as many courses as possible during his time at Eastern Hills Academy of Hair Design, including Sahag Dry Cutting Technique with Albie Mulcahy as well as many others.

After graduating in 2008, he moved to sunny Santa Barbara to continue his career on the West Coast. Dustin immediately immersed himself in his education, taking the entire Aveda cutting curriculum including, but not limited to, Style and Texture, The Distribution of Weight, PureForm, Neo-Goth, Innovative Cutting Essentials, Retro Classics: Reliving the 20s, and many more, as well as many color courses.

Dustin has a strong technical background and an excellent listener giving guests customized solutions for their haircuts and color while creating consistent and excellent results leaving the guest feeling and looking their best.

After attending SBCC and onward to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Temple University in 2004, Lexie always had a passion for the beauty industry. She decided to go back to her native Southern California roots and attend the SBCC Cosmetology Academy, where she began to fall in love with the endless opportunities this career has to offer. Lexie began working at Walter Claudio Salon in 2007, where she not only fell in-love with Aveda, but also Walter’s precise system in haircolor, HeadMapping™. She began immediately training other salons in HeadMapping™ and became a certified trainer, as well as learning her craft in the salon under the ultimate, Sue Darling.

As a “yes” person, Lexie has never turned down an opportunity to learn and give back to the community. Her work ethic and dedication to her craft and the community is unending. Advanced education for new trends, techniques and inspiration has led her to events and classes from LA to NYC. Where education ends, her participation in lending her talent and time to Non-profits is admirable. An activist for environmental causes, such as Earth Month, Surfriders Foundation and philanthropy organizations such as NCL ( National Charity League) and advocacy such as Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Lexie is allowed to make a difference in the community that she loves.

As a hairstylist for the past decade plus Lexie has a very acute understanding of movement, shape and utilizing color to solidify the cut and style.

Lexie has a unique passion for fostering a personal relationship with all of her guests and truly listens, giving thorough consultations each and every time. Creating new looks for her guests, consistently delivering results and ensuring that each guest leaves embracing their best self is her trademark.

After apprenticing in 2000, Salim started doing hair throughout many countries in the Middle East and in various Four Seasons, such as Jordan’s Hotel Amman. He began working with celebrities, travelling and became an expert in styling throughout his time in the Middle East. Salim joined Walter Claudio Salon in 2014 where he began his career as a stylist in the States. Salim has keen attention to detail, not to mention the technical skill to follow. He is known for creating beautiful shapes and his sweet demeanor is endless. Salim understands balance extremely well, as he strives for excellence. He is also a fantastic hair colorist, creating dimension and depth, and shine for all hair types.

After graduating from Paul Mitchell in downtown Santa Barbara, Eren joined Walter Claudio Salon in 2011, where she interned with Jesse for about a year. After learning the skills needed and gaining confidence, Eren’s career blossomed. Her attention to guests needs is outstanding. She creates effortless hair that is well-balanced, yet easy to let be care-free. Eren is refined, yet sets a tone of calm when in her chair. She listens well and works hard for her guests.