After graduating at the top of his class at the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis in 1997, Shawn was highly recommended by Horst Rechelbacher, founder of Aveda, to transfer to Atlanta, where he quickly became Color Director at the Flagship new talents salon – Shaw Salon; owned by Don and Sylvia Shaw Salons and Spas.

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Shortly thereafter, Shawn moved to the large flagship DASS salon to work directly with Don Shaw. During his tenure with the company, Shawn taught training courses, and performed hair color and styling, twice annually, for Haute Coiffure Francaise runway presentations in Paris; a leading event in the hairdressing and fashion world promoting artistic creation and new talent.

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Together with Don Shaw, Shawn collaborated on numerous photoshoots for Intercoiffure – the North American beauty industry’s most prestigious professional association. Shawn colored and styled photoshoots in London, Rome, Milan, Florence, and Paris for Intercoiffure Magazine. He also presented at Intercoiffure’s Atelier Runway Show in New York. An annual meeting and creative platform launching new trends in hair design and beauty.

 

In 2004 Shawn joined the team at Vis A Vis the Salon. A luxury salon in the heart of Buckhead. In Shawn’s 16 years at Vis A Vis, he solidified his name as one of the most sought-after colorists in Atlanta. Provided the opportunity to advance his education and technique, Shawn received education from many L’Oreal and Redken industry superstars. In addition to, Michael Canale in Beverly Hills; celebrity colorist to Jennifer Anniston, Kyra Sedgewick, and Carolyn Murphy.

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Shawn continued to provide styling and artistic direction for photoshoots; with his work appearing in local magazines such as Jezebel and The Atlantan. For 8 years Shawn participated in the annual Jeffrey Fashion Cares Event; Atlanta’s largest fashion runway event, benefitting the Susan G Komen and AID Atlanta Foundations. Shawn has been the featured colorist television shows such as TLC’s “What Not to Wear” and TBS’s “Movie and a Makeover” and has also done several guest spots on the local NBC affiliates “Atlanta and Company”. Shawn has also been voted “Best of Beauty” by Allure Magazine 5 years in a row, from 2015 – 2019.

 

In 2020, Shawn felt it was time to pursue his dream of opening a luxury salon with a comforting environment, focusing on creativity, quality, and service. Welcome to SW the Salon.