Aliza Esmail
SHE / HER
salon AUGUST director
AUGUST’s director, Aliza Esmail, began her career early when she moved to London, England in 2007 to train at the storied Vidal Sasson salon. She went on to become an educator for the brand at their Bond Street academy, instructing new staff and hairstylists from around the globe. Hopping back across the pond, she went on to teach at the Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica, California before returning to work as a stylist in Toronto – both her hometown and Sassoon’s only Canadian location.
Since 2013, Aliza has been teaching with Allilon Education – a top-tier hair education company delivering world-class courses, inspirational seminars and shows around the world. This position has taken her to cities across North America, Asia and Europe while at the same time providing her with invaluable teaching experiences. – including a worldwide hair tour in Parma, Italy teaching in front of 3,000+ people!
AUGUST is Aliza’s newest venture, sharing her years of classical training and international teaching experience with her fellow Torontonians – this time in her own welcoming, fresh setting.
@Aliza Esmail
Rómulo Bor
HE / HIM
stylist
Rómulo Bor has been a barber for 7 years. Originally born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, he moved to Toronto in 2012 looking for a new adventure. Rómulo started his career as an apprentice at Glassbox Barbershop training under Toronto's leaders in precision men’s haircutting. The more he trained, the more he realized that hair was his passion and with a natural eye for detail he was soon promoted to an educator position.
Highly influenced by British hairdressers and barbers, Rómulo was called to the UK where his perception of the industry changed and styling hair was more than just cutting hair. He invested in his passion and took time to train with his role models. The rigorous training and attention to detail, theory and method has formed him into the stylist he is today.
Rómulo specializes in barbering and has created a fresh portfolio of women's cuts. Whether it's men's or women's hair he's cutting, what Rómulo enjoys most about hair design is the creative process that goes into each cut. Rómulo creates a relaxed environment for his clients and looks forward to achieving a cut that is perfect for each person.
When he's not at the Salon, you can find him playing video games or cooking up some delicious dishes!
@Rómulo Bor
Toni Stanley
SHE / HER
stylist
Toni comes from beautiful Red Lake, Ontario where she grew up surrounded by nature. From a young age, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in hairstyling. In 2016 she made the 24-hour trek down from Red Lake to Toronto to follow her dreams in the big city.
Toni started her career as an assistant in one of the city's well-established salons and forerunners in the beauty and wellness industry. She spent her days washing and styling hair in this Queen Street location which was her stepping stone to enrolling in one of Canda's top hairstyling schools. Toni completed an intensive cutting program under the school's National Creative Director while continuing to work in the salon. This taught her discipline, allowed her to apply her knowledge and find her specialties. Soon she was cutting hair full time and assisting on set for advertising and commercial projects.
Toni brings heart to salon AUGUST. She loves working with all textures of hair and with people from all walks of life. When you sit in Toni's chair you feel heard and understood as she achieves to deliver your vision.
In her spare time, Toni enjoys getting creative while styling on set, baking at home, or curling up with a book.
@TONI STANLEY
Maxine Power
THEY/ THEM
stylist
Maxine started off their career at the Aveda Institute & Academy, where they fell in love with the multi-faceted nature of the hair industry and its extension into personal expression.
Maxine enjoys getting to the root of what makes clients feel individually represented in their hair; taking the time to communicate and educate everyone on their hair needs so that they can achieve their hair goals.
They love working with all hair, especially curly hair and shorter styles. They are constantly honing their craft to deliver the best possible experience for anyone who sits in their chair."
In their free time they enjoy working on creative projects, reading, playing video games, rock climbing, and landscape photography.
@MAXINE POWER
Sahil Gill
HE / HIM
stylist, Davines visionary
Born and raised in Toronto, Sahil comes from a family of barbers. He started shadowing haircuts at the age of 12 and by 16 he was working as a barber at his family’s barbershop. But he didn't want to stop there.
In high school, Sahil had the opportunity to co-op at one of Canada's leading salons in Bloor-West Village. It was here that he saw a whole new world beyond barbering. There was no denying his spark and he was offered an assistant position. He worked closely with the award-winning owner and his team to develop his skills in precision, texture and movement.
Looking to grow further, Sahil joined a creative-focused salon in the heart of the city as a full-time stylist. Here he worked alongside talented young stylists and heightened his knowledge in utilizing products to achieve optimal hair health.
Sahil is a lifelong learner whose self-motivated pursuit of knowledge is inspiring. His constant curiosity brings a freshness to the salon AUGUST team and to his craft.