Team
Owners
Christine Ku
Zoe Cortez
Color Team
Maureen
From the production rooms of the fashion district to the makeup chair on a photo shoot – from the eyes of a seamstress to the vision of a colorist, Maureen is a true renaissance woman. She began her journey in the world of fashion and beauty as a production coordinator in the garment industry, responsible for an item of clothing from its inception down to the trim. Fascinated by the possibilities in creating an entire look from start to finish, Maureen became a makeup artist for everything from beauty campaigns to weddings.
She joined the creative team at Privé Salon New York as a makeup artist and eventually took her career one step further by becoming a colorist. Over the course of her 5-year career at Privé, she cultivated a chic clientele, was featured in many popular magazines and consulted on makeup and hair for several television shows. Part of her gift is in being an avid listener who is able to translate your desires into reality. Sensitive to what is possible in terms of realistic parameters, Maureen has an innate sense of the best results for each client based upon skin tone, eye color and hair color.
Alyson
Alyson began her career as a colorist at a prestigious salon in NJ where she quickly built a loyal clientele. She then joined the team at Minardi Salon in NYC and worked under colorist Beth Minardi. This experience enabled Alyson to build a strong foundation in the art of hair color and correction. When the opportunity arose to work with Color director, Zoë Staricco and Master stylist Christine Ku, Alyson moved back to New Jersey to join the Zoku team.
Alyson specializes in making her client’s final look, natural and healthy. She gives a personalized consultation, taking careful consideration of the client’s lifestyle and maintenance preference, before transforming their look through color. Alyson excels in all phases of hair coloring, from dimensional red creations to creating dramatic shade-on-shade blonde statements.
Isak
Isak Muratov, born in Moscow and raised in Uzbekistan, immigrated to America at an early age, but never lost his European eye for beauty and elegance. Born of a Spanish-Israeli mother, Isak recalls, “My first spark of interest in the hair industry was when I saw women basking on the beaches of Israel with a mud-like substance on their hair, later in which, I learned was Henna. I now use Henna to add more hues to my color repertoire.”
After college, Isak chose to follow his passion and become a hair color specialist. Isak’s meticulous, artistic ability blossomed when he worked at Prive NYC where he started his career under celebrity stylist, Micki Loicano. Wanting to further his future in color, Isak began an apprenticeship under Zoë as her personal assistant. His reputation for excellence landed him a colorist position at Zoku Salon where his popularity soared.
Isak’s method of expertise, is a very natural form of Balayage…(a painting technique that originated in France.) This allows him to be extremely precise when highlighting, piece by piece, creating the perfect, personalized tresses. Subtle and natural or strong and vibrant, he will give you what you are looking for.
Bari
Bari grew up in New Jersey and now resides in NYC for the last 7 years. She is constantly inspired by her surroundings in ever-changing NYC and during all of her travels.
Bari finds such beauty in children’s natural hair color.
She believes that placement is EVERYTHING and sometimes less is more. It’s all about pop pieces and enhancing what’s naturally there. Bari takes every detail into consideration including someones eye color, skin tone, bone structure and fashion tastes and she has a knack for creating the correct tone for each client’s unique complexion.
Bari has a very specific technique for blondes where she mixes a combination of soft baby-lights and bolder balayage pieces to create a perfect end result.
Taking into account a client’s lifestyle is essential to Bari’s process. It inspires her choices and enables her to make the proper recommendations for color, products and maintenance. The colors radiance begins at the salon, but its maintenance is essential with an at home-ritual which Bari caters to each of her clients individual needs.
She sees each client as a work of art and makes sure they all leave her chair feeling as such.
For Bari – artistic creation, beautiful color and happy clients is pure love.
Andrew
Andrew Guerrero specializes in the Art of Balayage and foils and considers hair to be the most important accessory.
With nearly 10 years of experience, he has worked in some of the top salons in NYC- Stephen Knoll, Prive Soho, Pas Deux Salon in Tribeca and Cutler salon Soho. He has also worked side by side with many amazing, talented celebrity stylists- Stephen Knoll, Laurent Duforg, Rodney Cutler and Ken Paves on assignments such as makeovers for Oprah Magazine, the Today Show, Rachel Ray Show, Pop Sugar and many fashion shows. Andrew has developed a broad knowledge of the business, as well as the skills needed to create glamorous, natural looking color.
Andrew’s celebrity clientele has included: Sofia Vergara, Eva Langoria, Peter Gallagher, Nicole Delma, Kelly Katron and Ashley Simpson’s wedding.
“Hair is the first thing people see,” says Andrew. “And your color should always be perfect.”
AJ
Here at Zoku Salon, blondes, brunettes and everyone in between who see AJ are welcomed by a ‘Hi Gorge” or “Hello Beautiful’ and escorted to his chair for magic! AJ enjoys using his “magic” on corrective work from drug store colors to color mishaps. “I love taking on challenges like corrective work, it keeps me on my toes and puts my talent and education to the test.”
Starting at a young age, AJ made it his mission to be part of the exciting world of hair artistry. After his cosmetology education at Capri Institute, AJ reached towards Summit, NJ where he found Zoku Salon. There AJ harnessed his abilities and sharpened his skills attending education provided by Intercoiffure and Goldwell Global Zoom in Germany.
Lucio
Lucio Galano has always had a true eye for art and beauty. He began his studies at l’Accademia di Belle Arti Brera, in his native Italy, where he received his degree in set and costume design. He worked with costumes in both film and theater, which eventually led to his present, 20 plus career as a colorist in some of the top salons in New York City, such as Prive, Serge Normant at John Frieda and presently at Fabio Scalia Soho in NYC. In addition to servicing the color needs of his clients who sit in his chair,. Lucio specializes in balayage, creating soft and natural highlights, keratins and thermal relaxers. He also is an independent educator going to salons teach his sun kissed balayage technique to the next generation of colorists.
Style Team
Jackie
Jackie Sevilla hails from Los Angeles, California; where she found her calling in styling hair, later bringing her to New York City.
With over 10 years experience, Jackie has worked with some of the most elite salons in New York City, including Pierre Michel, Prive Salon and Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon. Jackie is known for her technique in cutting hair dry and creating exceptional updos. Having extensive product knowledge, in areas such as Restructuring Hair Treatments, Straightening Systems and Perms, allows Jackie to broaden and grow clientele. Jackie is constantly aware of what styles are current, adding her own touch.
Whether your style is casual, chic or edgy, Jackie can manage it, all while bringing a unique sense of style and ultimate satisfaction to each client, women, men or children. For Jackie, styling hair is “all about bringing out that sense of style in each client, and which works only for them.”
Irene
Irene’s journey in the beauty industry started in New York City over 8 years ago, where she sought out great opportunities to train as a stylist by first apprenticing for Master Stylist Laurent D of Prive Salons, Master Stylist Christine Ku and several others. Her artistic vision and impeccable attention to detail has allowed her to work with many celebrity clients and such venues as the CBS Early Show, Fashion Shows, and editorial photo shoots. Irene also enjoys tremendously, styling for weddings and other special occasions.
Although she is well versed in all types of haircuts and styling she enjoys contemporary cuts and funky avant-garde styles. If you sit in her chair you will find Irene is down to earth, a great listener, and refreshingly candid. She believes in “educating myself and sharing that knowledge with others while respecting, acknowledging and servicing different hair types from men, women and children of all ethnic backgrounds.”
Visit Irene and not only will you receive a great cut and style but also the ins and outs on how to care for and maintain your hair.
Gil
Gil has now been with Zoku for six years. He began his styling career at the Aveda Institute in NYC. He apprenticed for two years with the Antonio Prieto Salon before graduating to the floor as a senior stylist. Gil has taken advanced training classes with The Toni and Guy Advanced Education Institute as well as The Wella Studio.
Gil approaches his work based on the density and texture of his clients hair taking into account head and facial structure. Working systematically, with great technique and precision he creates a beautiful balance. He is a great listener and will arrive at a harmonious outcome incorporating the client’s wishes and needs. His styles can vary from classic to edgy modern cuts.
Mackenzie
After joining our team in 2009, Mackenzie worked directly with Master Stylist Christine Ku. Under close study and examination, Mackenzie developed an eye for detail and carefully created a system of cutting in which she fused practicality and uniqueness. Mackenzie believes that listening to her clients comes first, resulting in polished, manageable looks that can be easily replicated at home.
Brianna
Brianna has been a part of our ZOKU family since 2013, when her professional hair journey started. Her passion for beauty started when she was just a little girl – from playing beauty salon to fashion runway, she always stayed on top of the new, upcoming styles. Brianna’s precise work has come from the roots of her education with Intercoffiure – both in NY and in Memphis, and Global Keratin Certified. Aside from her education, Brianna worked with Luxury Brand Oribe – being an ambassador for the company and absorbing her product knowledge. With her expanded education, Brianna specializes in keratin treatments, event styling, and hair cutting. She’s perfect for guests who are looking for precision or minimal clean up!
Estheticians
Diana
Diana is a skin-obsessed perfectionist who was quite literally born into the business. Having grown up around her mother’s successful NYC skincare salon Diana has been honing the craft of making peoples skin look beautiful and radiant for most of her life. She makes it her mission to make every single client look and feel their very best by bringing her lifetime of experience and education to her very personalized custom facials and treatments. No matter what your concern may be-acne, aging, rosacea, a precision eyebrow shaping, when it comes to your face…you are in good hands with Diana.