Our Team

DARREN GRAYSON DESIGNERS has been the avenue of expression of Darren’s high standards in hair and service for 35 years. Having won the The Australian Hairdresser of the Year at the young age of 21, and twice since, Darren is the only hairstylist to achieve this status in Geelong.

Darren opened his Geelong hairdressing salon on September 3rd, 1985 at the age of 21 at 45 Gheringhap Street Geelong. In 2000 he won his first Geelong Business Excellence Award, the following year he won Small business and also Professional Services in the Geelong Business Exelence Awards. At this time Darren became state and national educator for international companies, spread over the years, Darren educated for Goldwell, Redken, Swarzkopf and Loreal.

In, total he has collected over 280 regional, state and national awards in the hairdressing industry. His extensive experience has led to his longstanding participation on judging panels at State and National levels, including as Chairperson of Judges for Victoria and then Australia.

In the area of salon enviroment, creating a temporary ambient environment to excite the senses as the experience has always been about the holistic hair journey. Earily 2014 Darren realised the location of the salon and its size was not working for him or the day to day comfort or convience for all concerned.

The opportunity to relocate to Pakington Street Newtown after 29 years at Gheringhap Street was a massive and emotional decision. The decision was made and on the 3rd of September 2020 we celebrated our 35th year of business.

Darren is driven creatively, and as he says, lifes to short and treat others the way you wish to be treated yourself. Life is up to you!

Emma is one of our bubbly and bright rays of light shining through every aspect of the salon. With 8 years experience under her belt she has a very big future. Emma’s ever expanding talents shows she is one to watch. She has an impeccable eye for detail in all aspects of hairdressing, with special mention of her spectacular colour work.

Emma is forever educating herself, having completed a barbering course, a certificate in makeup and continuing to look for new ways to up-skill and improve.

Her attention to detail is like nun other as she prides her self in personalizing a colour and style to suit the individual needs of each client.

Not only is Emma our Senior colourist she is also Darrens salon manger – our day to day boss lady. Organization and management comes naturally to her and she loves the challenge of not only giving our clients an amazing in chair experience, but reaching above and beyond making sure the salon runs smoothly. Em and Daz are a great compliment to each others salon management skills, it’s the maturity and youth combination and a high level of respect for each others point of view!

When Em is not in the salon you will find her at the gym, keeping watch over the house she is building with her partner or having a few quiet cocktails with her girlfriends. A total Gem!

Hi, my name is Tahlia Dealmeida, I am the eldest of seven children. I was born and raised in Geelong for most of my life. I went to high school in Point Cook and decided to leave in year 10 to fulfill my dream of becoming a hairdresser. I have been fulfilling that dream now for 7 years and I love every minute of it. I have seen so many wonderful things and have hit many obstacles on my way. Darren gave me the position as one of his head colourists after showing and working very closely with him and his ideas. I bloomed and grew into my own style and unique trademark. I wouldn’t change a thing as I have learnt new techniques and learnt from mistakes that have made. Most of all, having such a great role model like Daz to guide me to where I am today is more than I could ever ask for. If it weren’t for the people supporting me and pushing me to achieve my dreams. I wouldn’t be here today achieving the dream I had set for myself when i was just a little child. Darren has given me a senior role so as one of his senior creative colourists, I enjoy cutting and hair shaping, hair for special occasions and really all to do with the salon environment.

I am definitely looking forward to learning new tricks and techniques to improve my ability to create amazing and wonderful colour work, cutting work and styling work. Outside of the salon I enjoy time with my partner and loving and riding my horse. Darren Grayson Hairstylists is my home away from home and working alongside Darren is always a great duo.