Hairdresser Hana Woldeyes is one of those warm, soft-spoken individuals you are instantly drawn to. The Blanche Macdonald Professional Hair School Program Graduate and Instructor is a bold visionary whose dynamic hairstyles earned her the coveted Contessa Award for Men’s Stylist of the Year in her first year of entering. Even before coming to hair school, Hana’s passion for education, community, and uplifting others has been a defining thread throughout her career journey.
After immigrating with her two brothers from Ethiopia in 2013, she became deeply involved in student and community life. This earned her national recognition as a youth ambassador and community advocate, receiving Samara Canada’s Everyday Political Citizen Award and serving as a facilitator in their Democracy Talks training. She was a Vancouver School Board Youth Ambassador, a My Circle facilitator amplifying the voices of other young people, and a Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House Youth Committee member and appointed board director.
Today, the energy in Hana’s hair class is calm, concentrated and void of ego. She fosters a safe learning environment for students to challenge themselves with a focus on creativity and technique. We caught up with Hana in the classroom to learn more about her passion for hair and teaching.
“My goal as a teacher is to nurture students' curiosity and creativity while ensuring the education and techniques stay current and relevant.”
Salon Magazine Spring 2025 spotlighting Hana winning the Contessa Award for Men’s Hairstylist. Images from @hairbyhanaw.
What drew you to hairstyling and what were doing before you decided to pursue it as a profession?
My interest in hairstyling grew from a mix of experiences: my mom braiding my hair every Sunday, the confidence I felt on Monday mornings, and spending time at a family friend’s salon after school and on weekends. Before pursuing hairdressing, I was focused on political science and social justice, which I’m still passionate about.
Why did you decide to learn hairstyling at Blanche?
I chose Blanche because it offered the right mix of hands-on training and solid education. The school’s reputation and focus on both creativity and technique really drew me in.
“I’m deeply inspired by textured hair, particularly Black women’s hairstyles. The versatility and endless possibilities for shaping, molding, and creating patterns really excite me.”
What do you like about teaching and what do you hope you’ll get across to your students in your classes?
My goal as a teacher is to nurture students’ curiosity and creativity while ensuring the education and techniques stay current and relevant. I want to inspire them to explore their potential while building a strong foundation in the craft.
You mentioned J.D. ‘Okhai as an influence, which was evident in your beautiful, award-winning CONTESSA Men’s finalist collection. Who or what else inspires your work?
J.D. ‘Okhai has definitely been a big influence on my work, especially in terms of creativity and technique. I’m also deeply inspired by textured hair, particularly Black women’s hairstyles. The versatility and endless possibilities for shaping, molding, and creating patterns really excite me. I’m also inspired by tribal hairstyles from different African cultures, the craftsmanship and meaning behind them continue to influence my designs.
“I chose Blanche because it offered the right mix of hands-on training and solid education. The school's reputation and focus on both creativity and technique really drew me in.”
You’re working on many different types of projects, from music videos, to celebrity clients, fashion/editorial, Film & TV, not to mention the awards! This type of success doesn’t just come overnight! What important steps have you taken to create such a thriving, diverse career?
Building a diverse career takes a lot of flexibility and a real passion for what you do. I’ve always focused on staying open to learning and evolving my craft while keeping true to my vision. Being professional, working well with teams, and building solid relationships with clients and collaborators has been key. I’ve also learned to take on different types of projects from music videos to fashion and film which has helped me grow and push myself in new ways.
