Check Out Robby Kiwan’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robby Kiwan.

Hi Robby, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well I got started with a background and education in fine art working with paintings and doing installation art. This was mainly while I was in school before the 2008 recession. After trying a few different creative positions and feeling the effects of the economy, I decided to go back to school for hair in 2010 at the Aveda Institute in Westwood. I moved up to the bay area for a fresh start, finished my hours at the Cinta Aveda institute, and started working at my first salon in North Berkeley. I spent 7 years in the bay area working behind the chair training my craft with natural textures and creating low-maintainence hairstyles as that was the demand in the area at the time. I also was able to get published in a couple local magazines.

Once the tech boom happened and the culture and economy started changing pushing many artists and some friends out of the bay area, I decided to come back to LA in 2017. I had heard more artists and musicians were having a sense of community in LA with the revamping of some eastside neighborhoods. The next 3 years I built an LA clientele working with a new business helping to build structure and a cutting curriculum. After spending 7 years at my first salon in LA, working through the 2020 pandemic, feeling almost burnt out as well as being undervalued and overworked, I decided to start fresh at an environment that seem more fitting for my work etiquette and client experience. I’m now working at the beautiful Freija Collective in Highland Park with world class talent. I feel so honored to belong to such a strong team and amazing space. Today I feel as confident as ever with my cuts having 16years of experience and I’m still loving the craft.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Learning how to value and respect myself the way I deserve is probably one of the most important lessons I’ve learned being in the industry. As a service provider many hairstylists can give too much without leaving something for themselves. I thought that we deserve to be valued and treated better, and that always starts with yourself.
Starting at a new salon will always have its challenges of rebuilding clientele, especially when it seems like the world is falling apart. I think today we are faced with much uncertainty but if I’ve learned anything living through recessions, pandemics and now the rise of authoritarianism, is that you always get to decide the energy you put out in the world. As a hairstylist, working to provide a safe space for people and to work with joy has been a great mindset. Sometimes its not the people who’s hair you’ve done but how you’ve helped to make any person in your chair feel more confident and beautiful.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As I mentioned before, I have a background in art & design. Maybe I shouldn’t call it a background since I still regard myself as an artist first and foremost and I see the craft of hair being under the umbrella of art. I’ve been known for creating movement, texture and low-maintainence or effortless hairstyles. Something that has become more popular as many don’t have the desire or time to do such time-consuming, high maintainence hairstyles. I work authentically to accentuate the beauty in every individual. I’m proud that whoever sits in my chair, new or old clients, that they really enjoy the service provided for them as I believe its not just a haircut, it Is an experience and maybe the only time someone gets the space to actually relax, be themselves, or just sit in silence. I take great pleasure to provide these things as well as a great cut that functions with their lifestyle and brings out the best features allowing them to feel confident in their self presentation.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up in the small town of Porterville, and extremely poor, I learned to use my imagination early on in my life. I remember drawing with my dad and getting upset I couldn’t draw as well as him even though I was still in grade school. I really loved to connect with other kids and just learn what people are into. I guess I was pretty playful and silly and still am. I loved Saturday morning cartoons, where I could sit in silence and let my mind escape. I loved crafts at summer camps, going on trips with my grandparents and just the vibe of exploring outside my small town.

Pricing:

• Haircut $175
• Barbercut (short haircut above ears) $150
• Blowdry/style $90
• Bang Trim $40

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.freijacollective.com/booking
• Instagram: @thekiwan
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/freija-collective-los-angeles?osq=Freija+Collective