Meet Ashley Iwane | Stylist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Iwane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
As a young girl I always did well in social situations and was much more interested in connections with people and making people happy rather than studying hard and getting straight A’s. Creating looks has always been a passion of mine, from trying new hairstyles to doing all of my cheerleader friends makeup. Fashion, interior design and music are where I find inspiration!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I graduated from Hair Dynamics Education Center in 2006 and hit the ground running. I had an internship set up as soon I graduated with a global master stylist with Aveda. I have been at my current salon Salon Hethers since 2013. As a new stylist in a new state, as I am originally from Nebraska, it was very difficult to market myself and build a clientele. One of my strengths is my people skills, so beyond my technical abilities, I would like to think I have built my clientele based on positive interactions with my clients.
Throughout my 18 year career, the most important thing to me is to be myself. In the beauty industry, it is so easy to be influenced by peers and the media. If I am happy, I believe my clients can feel that energy and I produce my best work.
I like to collaborate with my clients on their looks and changes. I love my clients, some have been with me my whole career, of which I am beyond grateful for!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you were to hangout with me then we would be all over Denver, Arvada and Golden. We would definitely do some great dinners at places like El Five, and Tavernetta. I love a great cocktail bar and one of my favorites is Room for Milly. For a different type of drink experience we would have to go to Forest Room Five, that place is dope! I love a fun show at Levitt Pavillion and hopefully my sister’s foodtruck Bandwagon Sandwich Company is there so we can have the best sandwiches in town! If we don’t find them at Levitt then we can head towards Golden and hit up New Terrain for great beers and views. I love walking down Clear Creek and stopping at the Golden Mill where you can try a little bit of everything. We would have to hang in Olde Town Arvada, that is my stomping grounds. I work in Olde Town and live in Arvada. Olde Town has such a cool small town vibe and locally owned restaurants. You will find me on a date night with my husband Aaron at The Arvada Tavern for dinner and then we would head upstairs to the tiki bar for some of tastiest tiki cocktails ever! You want tacos, well Olde Town has all the taco joints in a walkable couple blocks. The Bluegrass is somewhat of my local watering hole. I am there in the a.m. for their own roasted delicious coffee and in the evening for pizza, cocktails and convos with the coolest bartenders around. Gotta make it to a Rockies, Nuggets or Broncos game, I am a big sports fan! I also love small concert venues like the Marquis and the Gothic. We would be hanging out with my husband Aaron and my plethora of longtime friends, who each are some of the best people you will ever meet!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have always looked up to women who push the envelope and forge their own paths. I love Iris Apfel, she was the best! The fact that she was an amazing interior designer who became a fashion icon and model in her golden years, proves that age is not a barrier.
In my hairstyling career I was lucky enough to assist and work with one of the best hair cutters in the business Phil Sanchez, who took me under his wing and helped me soar.
I also credit the late Kara Davis who I looked up to as a strong woman and all around great hairstylist, for instilling a lot of confidence in me. She was my biggest cheerleader! She helped me not only further my technical skills but mentored me in life.
The biggest support in my life is my husband, my best friend and better half Aaron. Aaron’s love and positivity is contagious!

Website: https://www.hethers.com

Instagram: @ashleyiwane

Facebook: Salon Hethers