Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrionna Schuman.
Gabrionna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am Gabrionna Schuman, a master colorist and event stylist with over a decade of experience behind the chair. I grew up in Polk City, Iowa, a small farm town where being the creative one wasn’t the most popular. I was one of the lucky ones that knew young what I wanted to do.
Growing up my aunt was a hairstylist and I always thought it was so cool that she just got to yap with her friends and play with hair. I can remember my mind being blown when she told me that she got paid to do it and that, if I wanted to, I could do hair too!
So the second I graduated, I packed my truck and headed straight to Chicago for hair school. It didn’t go too well at first. In fact, I almost flunked out until I transferred to Arizona where I was trained by the venerable Scott Cole with Sassoon and Paul Mitchell. I began my career working with Kelly Cardenas at the Kelly Cardenas Salon in Carlsbad, California; even assisting him along with Paula Peralta at the Glendale Hair Show AZ. Then, Kelly let me go for being too timid and nervous. I tried to make it in Cali and got told a bunch of times “if only you had more experience.” So I moved back to Arizona to work for Dolce Salon where I worked for 3 years assisting stylists and eventually progressing to the point where I was allowed to do my own clients. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the salon went bankrupt and I was out of a job.
At this point I just felt like maybe the hair world wasn’t for me. Maybe I was too nervous, too young, too quiet. So I decided to become a barber! Because there’s nothing quiet about a barbershop. I worked at Floyd’s 99 Scottsdale where I had the best mentors really push me to grow and be ok with being uncomfortable in hair. Looking back, it’s crazy the places you end up learning the most are the places you’d least expect.
Finally I realized I did not like being hairy ALL day. So I decided to dip my toe back in the world of women’s hair at Bella Bridal Beauty and Dry Bar. Slowly but surely, I gained my confidence back. During my time with Bella Bridal, I was a 2019 Raw Platform Artist member, where I curated my own hair show. This is what sparked my love for fashion shows and the runway. I started doing free hair for photoshoots and events. Anything I could get my hands on. Then the pandemic hit and like everyone else in the world, I had to rethink my whole life. There was another moment where I had to ask myself if I would ever do hair again.
Eventually, as things started to reopen and restrictions were lifted, I started working for Salon27 in Mesa, Arizona. This is where I found my confidence in my ability to do elevated hair on a daily basis. I got to the point where I was 3 months booked out and busy every single day. A dream I never thought would happen to me.
However, sometimes your dreams have to meet reality and I was exhausted ALL of the time. I was working 8 -10 hr days, squeezing as many clients in as I could to make everyone happy. Inevitably, I worked myself to the bone and I wasn’t happy anymore. It’s funny how you wish and beg for something to happen and sometimes when it does it’s actually nothing like what you wanted.
All of that meant that when my fiancé, now husband, earned a job opportunity in Dallas, we jumped head first. Not knowing what the world had instore for us, we bought a house, packed up the truck with our entire life (three dogs included!!) and drove 14 hours east to start a new life together. Like life tends to do, we had ups and downs. In the first 6 months he got laid off and I got (what I thought) was my dream job opportunity.
I started working for Color by Carlos as his assistant. I swore to myself this would be the last time assisting but it was going to be worth it. In some ways, it was. The thing is when you work for these “big wig” hairstylists it can be a lot on yourself both mentally and physically. It’s extremely long hours and you have to juggle the jobs of 3 people: the assistant, the secretary, and the cleaner.
Now, of course, every apprenticeship I’ve ever done has been different. Some are more intense than others but the purpose of each and every one is that you are learning. Learning things you will do and you will NEVER do. Working with Carlos I learned how to be an influencer, how to work with brands and people to get them to notice you and how to work a room. I also learned the hard truth of how people don’t always act the same as you see on the internet. It’s easy to curate yourself and come across entirely different online compared to reality. Sometimes it’s better; sometimes it’s worse.
Sometimes it’s hard to stay true to yourself and your message when you are on the ride. Never forget who gave you your flowers before you thought you even deserved them. Unfortunately not all creative bosses are the best with financial management so Carlos was forced to close the salon due to his own financial mismanagement. I had again 24hrs to get my stuff and find a new salon home for my clients. I admit, I was shattered after this one. I thought I had finally figured out where I was going and how I would get there.
I had no idea what was in store for me until I saw my friend, Lisa Giles, post on Instagram she was building a team for New York Fashion Week. I immediately reached out and told her I would do anything to be a part of it. After a brief interview process, I was in! While in NYFW, I was invited by The Lab (the company who sponsored our trip to NYFW) to Paris Fashion week. So two weeks later I was on a plane heading to Paris. It was a whirlwind of a month that felt like a dream. I don’t know how many times I pinched myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming and, if I was, I never wanted to wake up.
Since Paris I have been invited to Fashion Factor Dubai, a 3 day event where 10 designers release their newest looks. I will also be heading back to NYFW in the fall as the Team Lead Assistant for a 30 person team. In September, I am attending my first Milan Fashion Week as a stylist. So moral of the story always believe in yourself.
Currently, I rent my own chair at Salon 3311, where I am passionate about creating one-of-a-kind hair experiences for each individual while specializing in color, extensions, and event styling. When I’m not immersed in hair education or fashion shows, you’ll likely find me at a live concert or curled up on a couch with a glass of wine watching Bravo (reality TV is my guilty pleasure so let’s bond over some juicy gossip!)
My husband and I love working out together and are gearing up for our first @hyroxamerica competition this November in Dallas. It’s an exciting new challenge for us, and we can’t wait to share the experience!
In the company of my three cuddly dogs (they may not have loved the drive from Arizona but they certainly love Texas), it’s a must to have moments of relaxation. I also love discovering local dining hotspots (Lower Greenville has turned into one of my favorite spots) and spending quality time with my husband and family by Joe Pool Lake.
Originally, I joined social media to showcase my hairstyling artistry, but it’s blossomed into something much more. I’m excited to share not just my hair journey but also offer behind-the-scenes insights and snippets of my daily life.
I’m so beyond grateful every day. For me, hair has always been so much more. I’ve often thought, why fit in when you can stand out?
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If you don’t struggle at hair at some points in your career I’m not sure you really love it. My biggest struggle has always been believing in myself and not needing a boss or someone to help me do that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I like to say I specialize in the health of hair. Whatever that looks like to you. Whether it’s your hair thinning, a color gone wrong, a bad haircut, or an itchy scalp. I love the science of hair. Figuring out how to make your hair its healthiest version of its self. At the beginning of my career everyone was specializing in something so I wanted to be a jack of all trades. In the end I figure out that’s actually what I love to do. Give me a problem and I want to find the answer.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Sometimes it’s hard to stay true to yourself and your message when you are on the ride. Never forget who gave you your flowers before you thought you even deserved them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/itsgabrionna
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsgabrionna/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsgabrionna
Image Credits
thedallaspose
Charissa Menken for all of my brand photo shots.
