Award-Winning Hairdressers in Brisbane

We are a close-knit team that work together to ensure you receive the best out of each and every visit.

At Salon X Papas, you are our priority, and making you look and feel your best is our unwavering mission. If you’re ever not sure who you’d like to see, our friendly and informative reception staff will be able to suggest the best fit for your needs.

Dmitri Papas

Dmitri is the visionary founder of Salon X Papas and a revered leader in Australian hairdressing. With a decorated career boasting countless accolades, Dmitri has cemented his place as a true industry icon. He’s achieved in every possible category, including Business Manager/Owner of the Year, Salon Team of the Year, winning the prestigious Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2015 at Australian Hair Expo and more recently being bestowed the Master Cutter of the Year Award.

Dmitri’s dedication to excellence in all facets of hairdressing is palpable; a passion that extends beyond his craftsmanship. The salon serves as the ultimate expression of his unparalleled vision and as such, has been expertly curated to offer a wonderfully bespoke guest experience.

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Business Development Manager

Natalie Papas

Presently, Natalie’s time is spent in her role as the business development manager, while also continuing to work as a freelance makeup artist within the salon.

Natalie will be familiar to many of the salon’s long-term clients, as she spent her formative years working at the family-owned Stelios Papas Salons alongside her brother, Dmitri.

Natalie’s focus on guest services and administration allowed her to gain extensive experience in the hair and beauty industry, which she has since augmented through specialist roles in management and training for MAC Cosmetics and Papas and Pace. Presently, Natalie’s time is spent in her role as the business development manager, while also continuing to work as a freelance makeup artist within the salon.

Natalie will be familiar to many of the salon’s long-term clients, as she spent her formative years working at the family-owned Stelios Papas Salons alongside her brother, Dmitri. Natalie’s focus on guest services and administration allowed her to gain extensive experience in the hair and beauty industry, which she has since augmented through specialist roles in management and training for MAC Cosmetics and Papas and Pace.

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Director

Stelios Papas

Stelios is much-loved by his clients, respected for his precision cutting and renowned for his warm and gregarious nature.

When it comes to discussing the upper echelon of Australian hairdressing, the name Stelios Papas invariably comes to mind. An icon in the industry, Stelios has achieved unprecedented success, winning Australian Hairdresser of the Year, Australian Educator of the Year, as well as being inducted into the Australian Hair Expo Hall of Fame.

With numerous salons operating under his name throughout Brisbane over the years, many of the country’s most distinguished stylists have had the privilege of working with or for Stelios. Stelios is much-loved by his clients, respected for his precision cutting and renowned for his warm and gregarious nature.

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Senior Stylist

Shannah Willert

Unrivalled expertise and unwavering dedication to the craft has earned Shannah her acclaim as a highly skilled cutting technician and a wedding and events styling specialist.

Shannah has been an invaluable member of the Papas family’s hairdressing legacy since she started her apprenticeship with Stelios Papas over 18 years ago.

Her career has been marked by a continuous progression of outstanding accomplishments, from training at the globally recognised Vidal Sassoon Academy in London to competing on stage at the Australian Hair Expo and earning the distinction of becoming a finalist for the AHFA QLD Hairdresser of the year. Unrivalled expertise and unwavering dedication to the craft has earned Shannah her acclaim as a highly skilled cutting technician and a wedding and events styling specialist.

Shannah has been an invaluable member of the Papas family’s hairdressing legacy since she started her apprenticeship with Stelios Papas over 18 years ago. Her career has been marked by a continuous progression of outstanding accomplishments, from training at the globally recognised Vidal Sassoon Academy in London to competing on stage at the Australian Hair Expo and earning the distinction of becoming a finalist for the AHFA QLD Hairdresser of the year.

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Lead Educator

Kate Christie

Her warm and friendly manner ensures she consistently has a full roster of regular clients.

Kate is a vital member of the Salon X Papas styling team, bringing with her over 13 years of hairdressing experience and a passion for hair education. Her warm and friendly manner ensures she consistently has a full roster of regular clients.

As the lead educator for the salon, she combines her background in teaching with her love for hairdressing to mentor and support the emerging team in reaching their full potential. Kate’s creativity and expertise in styling has also earned her coveted positions in various styling teams where she has also contributed to creating hair fashion looks for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

When she’s not at the salon, Kate enjoys exploring her passion for fashion, cooking and fitness; embodying a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. Her commitment to excellence in both her professional and personal life makes her a true asset to the team.

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Senior Stylist

Tep Read

Tep’s strong visual aesthetic and talent for cutting has earned him a loyal following, as he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of hairdressing.

Tep’s impressive track record in hairdressing speaks for itself. With only 6 years of experience under his belt, he has already achieved remarkable success, having made the finals for Apprentice Hairdresser of the Year at Australian Hair Expo and the Australian Hair Fashion Awards. He was also crowned the Youthworx 2018 winner and was recently announced as a finalist in the 2021 AHIA New Creative Talent Award.

Since commencing his training at Papas and Pace, Tep has consistently demonstrated his unrelenting commitment to excellence and a willingness to push himself to be the best at his craft. Tep’s strong visual aesthetic and talent for cutting has earned him a loyal following, as he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of hairdressing.

Tep’s impressive track record in hairdressing speaks for itself.

With only 6 years of experience under his belt, he has already achieved remarkable success, having made the finals for Apprentice Hairdresser of the Year at Australian Hair Expo and the Australian Hair Fashion Awards. He was also crowned the Youthworx 2018 winner and was recently announced as a finalist in the 2021 AHIA New Creative Talent Award.

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Senior Stylist

Junella Hettig

Her unwavering positivity and devotion to her family and profession makes her a truly exceptional individual and one whose contributions to the salon are immeasurable.

Junella, an experienced hairdresser specialising in both cut and colour, is a true asset to the Salon X Papas team. Having formerly served as art director for Tony & Guy, Junella has a proven track record of creating stunning and innovative new looks, with an innate passion for mentorship and imparting knowledge onto the next generation of hairdressers.

In her personal life, Junella is a devoted mother who understands the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Her active lifestyle and love for the outdoors are a testament to her commitment to staying fit and energised. Her unwavering positivity and devotion to her family and profession makes her a truly exceptional individual and one whose contributions to the salon are immeasurable.

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Colourist

Tanya Wright

With her extensive experience in the fashion industry, she has styled for multiple runway shows at Fashion Week in Sydney and Brisbane and earned recognition as the winner of the Face of HIS QLD award.

Tanya, an accomplished colourist with over two decades of experience is renowned for her expert foiling and crafting beautiful blonde tones. With her extensive experience in the fashion industry, she has styled for multiple runway shows at Fashion Week in Sydney and Brisbane and earned recognition as the winner of the Face of HIS QLD award.

However, for Tanya, the true reward of hairdressing lies in producing stunning results for her clients and nurturing long-term relationships. Outside of work, Tanya’s leisurely pursuits include breakfast outings, practicing pilates and beach days in the sunshine.

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Senior Stylist

Georgia Robinson

Her dedication to the craft and natural talent for creating beautiful hair has earned her a loyal client base.

Georgia has risen through the ranks of Salon X Papas' emerging team to become a valued senior stylist.

Her dedication to the craft and natural talent for creating beautiful hair has earned her a loyal client base. Georgia's attention to detail and commitment to ongoing education ensures she delivers exceptional results with every appointment.

Georgia has risen through the ranks of Salon X Papas' emerging team to become a valued senior stylist. Her dedication to the craft and natural talent for creating beautiful hair has earned her a loyal client base.

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Senior Stylist

Christos Papas

Christos brings creativity and enthusiasm to every client interaction, ensuring a personalised and memorable salon experience.

Christos has progressed from the emerging team to join the senior stylists at Salon X Papas.

His passion for hairdressing and commitment to excellence has seen him develop into a skilled technician. Christos brings creativity and enthusiasm to every client interaction, ensuring a personalised and memorable salon experience.

Christos has progressed from the emerging team to join the senior stylists at Salon X Papas. His passion for hairdressing and commitment to excellence has seen him develop into a skilled technician.

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Salon X Papas Emerging Team

Samara, emerging stylist at Salon X Papas — Samara

Tahlia Read, emerging stylist at Salon X Papas — Tahlia Read

Awards

Hair Expo Australia

2019	Master Cutter of the Year Winner - Dmitri Papas Salon Team of the Year Winner - Papas and Pace Australian Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas Apprentice Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Tep Read
2018	Mens Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas
2016	Australian Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas
2015	Australian Hairdresser of the Year Winner - Dmitri Papas
2014	Australian Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas

Australian Hair Industry Awards

2021	New Creative Talent Award Finalist - Tep Read
2019	Best In Salon Training Winner - Papas and Pace
2018	Business Director/Owner of the Year Winner - Dmitri Papas Salon Manager of the Year Finalist - Freda Nicholas Best In Salon Training Finalist - Papas and Pace
2017	Salon Team of the Year Winner - Papas and Pace Best In Salon Training Finalist - Papas and Pace Business Director/Owner of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas
2016	Salon Team of the Year Winner - Papas and Pace
2015	Business Director/Owner of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas Salon Team of the Year Winner - Papas and Pace

Australian Hair Fashion Awards

2019	Salon of the Year Winner - Papas and Pace Hair Fashion Video of the Year Winner - Dmitri Papas Apprentice of the Year Finalist - Tep Read
2018	Artistic Team of the Year Finalist - Papas and Pace
2016	Salon Team of the Year Finalist - Papas and Pace
2014	Artistic Team of the Year Finalist - Papas and Pace Australian Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas
2013	Artistic Team of the Year Winner - Papas and Pace Australian Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas
2012	Australian Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas

Contessa Awards

2020	International Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas
2019	International Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas
2018	International Hairdresser of the Year Finalist - Dmitri Papas

Other Awards

2020

The Shopping Space, Best Design, Inde Awards

Retail Design Commendation, Australian Interior Design Awards

Salon History

The Salon X Papas story begins back in Brisbane in the 1970s, when Sophie and Stelios Papas operated one of Brisbane’s leading hair businesses, Stelios Papas Salon. Their hard work and dedication meant the Salon was the training ground for many of Australian hairdressing’s most accomplished cutters and stylists. Their son Dmitri had no choice but to follow the family legacy and forge his own path in the hair industry.

The next generation
Dmitri quickly became known as one of Australian hairdressing’s up-and-coming talents, winning numerous awards, including being the first ever stylist to win Australian Hair Expo New Creative Force for two consecutive years. It was at Stelios Papas that Dmitri first worked with two of his most trusted and experienced technicians, Freda Nicholas and Shannah Willert, as well as his sister Natalie, who many will remember as the front of house dynamo in the busy city Salon.
Papas and Pace, 2007 to 2019
Wanting to provide Brisbane with a destination Salon that prioritised high quality cut and colour led Dmitri to open his first Salon, Papas and Pace (2007 to 2019), which went on to become one of Australia’s most highly awarded salons. In addition, he branched out into men’s barbering and is co-owner of destination barbershop Heroes and Villains.
Salon X Papas
More recently, a desire to push the hairdressing experience to the next level has led to the formation of Salon X Papas, bringing together a team of highly experienced, creative and accomplished hair professionals.
The Dream Team
From Stelios Papas, Australian hairdressing royalty, to Mel Cooper, one of the country’s most experienced colourists, this really is the Dream Team. Most members of the Salon X Papas team have already spent years working together in various capacities, so Salon X Papas represents the opportunity to bring this supergroup together with the aim of creating something really special.
Guest services
The hair team are supported by our dedicated guest service professionals, a team that are second to none when it comes to customer care, ensuring your visit is memorable from start to finish. The Salon’s operations are overseen by Dmitri’s sister Natalie, who brings her years of experience in hairdressing administration, beauty and client services to the table.
Today
With so many stories and connections, the history of Salon X Papas is peppered with hard work, dedication, friendship, love and respect. You’ll soon see that’s why a visit to our Salon is unlike any other.

“This really is the Dream Team.”

Salon X Papas is a multi-award winning team of some of Australia's most highly skilled hair artisans.

Dmitri Papas

Our team

Salon X Papas Emerging Team

Awards

Hair Expo Australia

Australian Hair Industry Awards

Australian Hair Fashion Awards

Contessa Awards

Other Awards

Salon History