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Hattori Hanzo Shears Stylist Spotlight: Danielle Woosley

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Name: Danielle Woosley

City: Louisville, KY

Salon: Alter’d Culture

 2019 Frankfort Ave Louisville, KY 40206
THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE DANIELLE: Loyal, Driven, Strong

Favorite Hanzo Shear: HH1-5.5

If I have to pick just 1…. I’d say the HH1 I use it in almost every haircut and I recently have learned even more ways to utilize it.

Danielle is the owner and operator of Alter’d Culture in Louisville, Kentucky. Her professional career started in the automotive industry as a technician. After eight years working on cars, Danielle decided she wanted a career change where she could have more flexibility in hours and pay. Danielle pursued cosmetology school with the hopes of one day being able also to have her barber license. After working in a couple of different salons for a few years, Danielle had the opportunity to move to Florida, where she would work at one of Florida’s top salons. Danielle’s passion sparked when she was at a show in downtown Louisville watching Roy Jay White, a barber with dreadlocks longer than her hair, do a bald fade with shears. At that moment, she instantly thought, “I have found my people” through a few classes with Hanzo, she renewed her passion for the industry. Now Danielle has moved back to Louisville, Kentucky, and has opened her own space. Danielle wants to create a space for barbers and cosmetologists to work together. She plans to take all the things she’s learned in the last nine years behind the chair and help others in its industry expand their technical skillset and help them build a career behind the chair that’s focused on their lifestyle and how they want to live.

Q & A With Danielle

Favorite platform Hair Sylist?

RoyJay White definitely! He encapsulated the definition of Platform stylist. He was Entertaining while giving real practical techniques any stylist or barber could use behind the chair. I had no idea people like him even existed in our little conservative city of Louisville. Watching him gave me the boost to be who I wanted to be in the Louisville industry not who others thought I should be. It’s easy to look at a platform artist from a bigger city and think they are cool or inspire to be like them  in some way but to see someone from your own city do the things he did while being truly authentic to who he was and where he was from makes the most sense to me. He made everyone feel like a personal friend. He was always so humble and approachable at every class, show or get together I have ever seen him at. I hope to leave half the impression he did on this industry. May he rest in peace.

Who inspires you?

I find inspiration in those who overcome adversity. Survivors who beat the odds or anyone who takes hardship as an opportunity to fight harder. Those who create their best life and career regardless of who or what says they won’t.

What is your favorite movie?

Who framed Roger Rabbit

What’s better Short or long hair?

I am partial to long hair because mine is really long and would never cut more than someone is comfortable with BUT BOBS are my jam!!

Favorite Ice cream flavor?

I’ll always choose a s’mores flavored anything

The most exciting thing you’ve ever done?

My husband and I hop lowriders and ride motorcycles most would think that to be exciting but for myself its more exciting to travel. Meeting new people, learning about other cultures and others’ experiences Is something I love.There is always something exciting to try or learn when you connect yourself with others who are different from yourself. I have only been to a few places within the US but look forward to traveling to more places, trying new experiences and learning about more cultures outside the US when able.

Favorite vacation?

It’s a toss up between New Orleans for the food and culture and Key West for the beauty and resilience of the people who live there.

If you were on an island and could only bring 3 things, what would you bring?

I guess that depends on if I’m stranded or taking a vacation. Definitely sunscreen because I have fair skin, my son and my husband. Either way we are figuring everything else out from there together.

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

Stopping time, its the one thing that you can’t get more of.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

The Strength Within Her

Who would you most like to share a cup of coffee or tea with?

My younger self. To tell her that it’s all gonna be worth it ,believe in herself and push a little harder.

One thing people wouldn’t guess about you?

I own a 65 Impala SS lowrider that I am building to take to carshows all over the country and hop it (it has hydraulics) in competitions with the goal to win against some of the best














Written By: Catie Delahanty

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