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Melinda Rodriguez
MASTER STYLIST
  

Boasting more than 17 years of training experience in the hair industry with Vidal Sassoon in London and Chicago, Melinda guides Roque Salon with an eye for style and a vision to take her business to internationally-acclaimed status. Melinda began her career with Vidal Sassoon Salon where she quickly achieved a Senior Stylist standing and recognition for leadership and education skills. With that experience, she helped launch the Miami Vidal Sassoon Salon and began to participate in several major fashion shows for Cigar Magazine, Nicole Miller and Armani, just to name a few. She launched Roque Salon, a unique salon, known for its dedication to exceptional hairstyles and colors--and beauty as a lifestyle. Equally comfortable in cutting and styling, researching new product lines or conducting a seminar in front of five hundred attendees, Melinda brings a fresh and positive outlook to her work and each client that walks in the door.

Past and present clients include: Jane Seymour, Chayanne, (Latin Recording Artist), Britto (internationally-renowned artist) and Ford Modeling Agency of Miami.

INSPIRATIONS: TRAVELING, TEACHING SEMINARS, FASHION SHOWS, MAGAZINES

Rene
SENIOR STYLIST
  

Rene Valadez comes to Roque Salon with 7 years of Vidal Sassoon training, education and styling experience. After his initial training in Chicago , Rene transferred to the Beverly Hills salon where he quickly earned top-stylist status and educator at the Santa Monica Academy . During that time, he also provided services to various modeling agencies, charities, such as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and a variety of photo shoots and fashion events. From lending a hand at celebrity-filled events, including the Emmys, Oscars and Grammies, to working with celebrities themselves, such as Mimi Rogers, Rachel Hunter and SNL’s Amy Poehler, Rene brings the Roque team a unique and impressive approach to style that exceeds clients’ expectations every day.


“Regardless of ethnicity, hair is hair,” says Rene, “and with the proper education, there is always a solution for the care and maintenance for each individual type of hair.”

INSPIRATIONS:
Fashion, photography, art, music, architecture, anthropology, and life itself

 

Elaine Zachrel
SENIOR STYLIST
 

Elaine Zachrel, Roque’s Senior stylist, boasts impressive credentials and is considered one of the salon’s best and most loyal. She began her career in 1993, training at London’s Vidal Sassoon School, which led to a nine-year stint altogether with Vidal Sassoon. She worked first as a senior stylist and teacher in Chicago before moving to San Francisco, where she continued to work as a stylist and a teacher in the Education Center before joining the Roque team. While her passion lies with hair and style, Elaine is also working toward a bachelor's degree in Applied Psychology at University of Illinois at Chicago and enjoys spending her free time working out, cooking and spending time with her husband and two dogs.

Stephanie
TOP STYLIST
 

For as long as she can remember, Stephanie knew she belonged in a creative and fashion-focused atmosphere. After a brief stint studying music merchandising in 2005, Stephanie moved across the country from St. Louis to Los Angeles to study at Santa Monica’s Vidal Sassoon Academy where she graduated a year later with “premier student” recognition and status. Making her way back to the midwest was to specifically join Roque as a cutting assistant where she continued to build and hone her expertise and technique through its advanced training program. Stephanie successfully completed the prestigious Roque Salon staff training and now has her own chair. A self-proclaimed dog lover, Stephanie enjoys cooking and traveling and maintains the belief that knowledge, creativity and continued education are what matters the most.

Michelle Szczesny
GREAT LENGTHS SPECIALIST
 

Michelle has been a renowned image designer in the Chicago Land area for the past 22 years, catering to high profile professional women. With an expertise in Great Lengths extensions and creative styling, Michelle will transform your hair into the length and thickness you desire, allowing you to have the hair of your dreams. Her passion and knowledge exploded when she became a national educator for Great Lengths International from 2001-2007. She is currently the owner of Salon MMM at "The Shops of The Providence" in Palatine, IL. She will be featuring her work here at Roque Salon to enhance her creative talent and also to provide top quality service for her savvy city clientele. Inspirations: "Love, Laugh, Live!"

Peter Santana
SENIOR COLORIST

Peter has long been revered by industry experts as a top colorist in Chicago and South Beach . He boasts nearly 15 years of experience across several internationally-renowned salons, such as Vidal Sassoon, Oribe, Lancome Spa and Brown’s Beauty Lounge, in South Miami Beach, Chicago , Toronto and New York City . In 2001, he helped develop and establish Roque Salon’s now-thriving color department and continues to oversee its monthly training program for up-and-coming colorists from around the country. To no surprise, he’s been featured on various national television shows, including “Ambush Makeover,” as well as several South Florida publications.

As evidenced by his illustrious client roster across both Chicago and South Beach cosmopolitan centers, Peter is quick to build loyalty among clientele by combining an elusive world-class service with his infectious personality; indeed, his professionalism and positive attitude are second to none.

INSPIRATIONS: Family, Friends and Finding beauty in all things.

Tatjana Simanic
SENIOR COLORIST

Senior colorist Tatjana Simanic comes to Roque Salon from the East coast where she lived for eight years, six of which were dedicated to intense training and hands-on coloring at several highly-acclaimed salons. As a trainer and educator for hair-care line Bumble & Bumble and an expert among many others, such as Wella, Davines, Aveda and Lorel Professional, Tatjana brings extensive knowledge to the Roque team. She’s known for her keen fashion sense, high energy, color know-how and ability to address clients’ needs.

Darren Gelbuda
SENIOR COLORIST
  

Roque Salon welcomes Darren Gelbuda, a Vidal Sassoon Santa Monica Academy Graduate and celebrated hair stylist and beauty expert. With close to 20 years of experience across various East Coast salons and an innate ability to identify with each client, Darren has attracted a following with unparalleled devotion. His fresh looks and innovative techniques have generated accolades from several media outlets, including Fitness Magazine, Vogue, Allure, Elle and Lucky. Celebrity clients have included Elizabeth Hurley, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Kevin Kline, Stockard Channing, Reese Witherspoon and Carmen Electra. Darren's interests also include theatre, travel and culinary arts.

Charlie Mazur
SENIOR COLORIST
 

With more than 15 years of experience with Vidal Sassoon and other highly acclaimed training programs and salons, Charlie Mazur joins the Roque team as its top tinter with a loyal audience and unparalleled reputation. In fact, you might recognize Charlie from Ambush Makeover or the Jenny Jones Show where he’s shown off his precise and innovative color techniques, as well as celebrity experience, for the world to see. At the same time, Charlie maintains a down-to-earth mentality and gets his inspiration from friends, clients and family, as well as nature.

Claudia
EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR
 
Claudia has built a reputation over the past several years as a top esthetician and is often, admiringly, referred to as the brow expert. She has solidified a unique ability to design perfectly-arched eyebrows for each client that comes in the door; no one shapes and grooms in quite the same way. In addition to Claudia’s expertise in brows, she is also recognized for her impressive facials, which incorporate ayurvedic-inspired luxury skin care products that match the distinctive needs of contemporary women.
 

Andrew Derderian
MAKE-UP ARTIST / TOP LASH TECHNICIAN
 

Boasting more 13 years of experience and extensive training at Vidal Sassoon, Giella, Shu Uemura, M.A.C. and Joe Blasco, Andrew Derderian serves as Roque's senior make-up and top eyelash artist and has developed a high-demand specialty in custom-fit applications, body make-up contouring, lash tabbing and lash extensions, the hottest new beauty trend among women looking for a glamorous beauty boost.

Whether it’s your wedding day, a night out with friends or a television, runway or stage appearance, Andrew is guaranteed to impress. Evening appointments available.

Edimar
TOP LASH TECHNICIAN
 
After graduating from the University of Fermin Toro, Venezuela, with a degree in Business Administration, Edimar decided to try her luck in the United States . She lived and was inspired in Miami for a year, finally settling in Chicago . Back home in Venezuela , Edimar showed an interest in fashion and make-up and went as far as completing course=2 0work in make-up applications. Her love of all things beautiful led her to Roque Salon to undergo extensive training in eyelash extension applications. A quick study, Edimar has become one of the strongest eyelash technicians in the city and generated an instant loyal following.

Graciela
TOP LASH TECHNICIAN
 
After patriotically serving our country overseas, it was time for Graciella to settle back into civilian life. Having acquired many skills in the military as well as being a weapons expert she knew that her career path would take her somewhere working with her hands. Constantly sketching and drawing, Graciella had that artistic flair in her. Willing to try new things, she underwent extensive training in eyelash extension applications. Whether armed with an automatic weapon or a pair of tweezers, Graciella’s steady hands and keen eye for detail have made her one of the most beloved eyelash extension technicians at Roque Salon.

Brian L'Heureux
JUNIOR LASH TECHNICIAN

Roque welcomes Brian L'Heureux, who, after many years of splitting his time between Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles, has decided to call Chicago home and join the salon’s highly-acclaimed color assistant program. Brian’s love and passion for fashion and style goes back many years; he began his career as a personal assistant and styling team lead for a well-known television personality, which led to a career in personal styling serving clients in television, fashion shows and photo shoots. He decided to turn his avid interest in hair, specifically, into a profession and joined the Capitol School of Hairstyling in Omaha, NE where he received various awards for customer service and hairstyling and, to no surprise, graduated at the top of his class. Brian is thrilled to be a part of the Roque team, and Roque feels the same about its newest addition.

“Working with people is a passion and a privilege. If I can help make somebody feel good about themselves while doing it, I have achieved success.” – Brian L'Heureux

Josh
JUNIOR LASH TECHNICIAN

Josh joins The Lashe Spot Chicago as one of our elite Eyelash Technicians, and is a welcome addition to the precise service that we offer our clients. Josh comes to us from one of the leading fashion houses in the world. Fashion is his inspiration for creating and styling custom eyelash extension looks. He gets insight from his expertise of window dressing and visual design. Having such great success with his attention to detail during his training, he has become an expert with his clients. You may catch Josh in an art museum discussing the gallery with friends or exploring new artists in music, but you will always find him committed to helping others in the community.