Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Vetere.
Hi Christopher, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was 3 years old, I knew I wanted to be a hairstylist. Barbie was my first client. I loved styling her hair and sketching illustrations of her in beautiful gowns. I was mindful, expressive, and deeply connected to beauty at a young age. But the world wasn’t ready for that. I was told, “That’s not what boys do.” I was expected to want to be a doctor or a fireman.
I still remember sitting on the playground, playing dolls with the girls. My teacher walked over, took the doll from my hand, and told me to go play with the boys—where I was teased and mistreated. From an early age, I felt more understood by girls. Most of them accepted me as I was, while the world around me tried to mold me into something I wasn’t.
So, for a long time, I buried what felt most natural and sacred to me.
Thankfully, in high school, I realized the path laid out for me wasn’t the one my heart recognized. I took a leap of faith, left public school, and enrolled in a vocational program where I earned both my high school diploma and my cosmetology license. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t expected—but it was right for me.
Now, with two decades behind the chair, I’m dreaming even bigger. Because for me, being a hairstylist is more than doing hair—it’s a form of healing.
I’m also a poet, and over time I’ve come to see how deeply my creative expressions intertwine. I bring poetry into my work, not always through words, but through presence, intention, and care. Whether I’m writing or shaping someone’s hair, I’m always seeking beauty through truth. It’s all part of the same offering.
A year ago, during one of the most difficult times in my life, I traveled to Peru. I went deep into the Amazon, hoping to see the world—and myself—through a new lens. What I discovered was a way of living that honors the land, the body, and the spirit as one. I learned that everything in our lives can be ceremonial. From how we prepare our coffee in the morning to how we breathe before a meal, intention changes everything.
That trip awakened something in me. I knew I wanted to bring that same sense of ceremony into the salon. Not just conversations about how we want to look, but about how we want to feel. Because how we feel shapes how we carry ourselves, how we show up, and how we see ourselves in the mirror.
I now create a co-creative experience where beauty is built from the inside out. We might begin with a short meditation, a shared mantra, or a conversation about what we’re releasing before a big transformation. Some clients bring photos of loved ones they want to honor. We speak their essence into the space. We put that love into the hair.
When I came home from Peru, I knew I couldn’t bring all of that change into my work overnight. I needed time to integrate. And in the midst of that, I lost my sister Juliana to suicide.
That loss cracked me open in ways I’ll never forget. But even in the darkest moments, I found light—especially in the connections I had with clients. Helping others feel beautiful gave me a reason to keep going. It became a way to honor my sister. I started pouring love into everything I did in the name of beauty, not just as an art form, but as a path of compassion, forgiveness, and deep connection.
This work is no longer just a profession. It’s a way of life. I believe our words shape our reality, and when we speak to ourselves with love, grace, and presence, that energy ripples outward. If we feel seen, loved, and received, we exude beauty—naturally, effortlessly, and fully. And that’s the kind of beauty I’m here to create.
Hair is my medium. Love is the message.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth, but every struggle became a part of the foundation I stand on today.
Growing up, one of the most painful challenges was being told that my natural way of expressing myself—my softness, my creativity, my feminine energy—was wrong. It wasn’t just dismissed. It was treated like something I needed to hide or overcome. That created a lot of confusion and self-doubt in my early life. I didn’t see myself reflected anywhere. I was existing in between, in a world that only wanted black and white.
One bright light in that time was my Grammy Muriel. She accepted me as I was. She let me play with Barbies at her house when I wasn’t allowed to have them at home. That quiet acceptance helped shape the safe space I try to hold for others now. Losing her at 11 was a heartbreak I carried for years.
School was especially hard. I wasn’t focused on learning—I was focused on surviving. I was bullied, misunderstood, and made to feel like I didn’t belong. And yet, somewhere inside me, I held onto a seed of who I was meant to become. Even if the world didn’t see it yet, I did.
I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone, but I’ve learned to honor it. It taught me how to sit with people in their own moments of shame or softness and help them feel seen. Those early struggles gave me the strength to create a career rooted in empathy, expression, and deep, intentional beauty.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business carries my name, but at its core, it’s a sanctuary for transformation. What I offer goes beyond hair—it’s a space for intention, healing, and personal alignment. Clients often come to me for a haircut or color, but they leave having experienced something deeper: a moment to reconnect with themselves.
I specialize in intuitive, lifestyle-focused haircuts designed to work with each person’s natural texture, energy, and daily rhythm. My color work ranges from bold, high-fashion transformations to soft, lived-in tones that evolve with ease. Whether someone is stepping into a new version of themselves or simply refining their look, I tailor each session to support not just how they want to look, but how they want to feel.
I’m trained in Vidal Sassoon precision cutting and have over two decades of experience working with all hair textures, lengths, and forms of gender expression. My chair is a safe, affirming space for everyone—no matter where they fall on or beyond the gender spectrum. Beauty is not binary, and neither is identity. I hold deep reverence for each person’s unique experience and offer care that reflects that.
What sets my practice apart is the ceremonial, intentional approach I bring to each appointment. For me, a haircut is more than maintenance—it can be a moment of release, a rite of passage, or an expression of inner transformation. Some sessions begin with a meditation or mantra. Others include honoring a loved one or setting a personal intention. Every appointment is co-created, rooted in presence and trust.
Clients often tell me they feel held, not just styled. That’s what I’m most proud of—the trust people place in me to witness them, celebrate them, and support their wholeness.
I want people to know that my work isn’t about chasing trends or fitting into boxes. It’s about creating beauty that honors your truth, your rhythm, and your ever-evolving sense of self. All of you is welcome here.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that might surprise people is how much I cherish stillness. Because my work is so people-focused and rooted in connection, most assume I’m always in motion or energized by constant interaction. But the truth is, I find balance through quiet moments—meditation, time in nature, writing poetry, or just breathing deeply between appointments. That space isn’t about needing distance, it’s about staying connected to myself. It helps me show up more fully, with presence and intention, for the people I care for. It’s where I refill so I can continue to pour into others with love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vagaro.com/christophervetere
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christophervetere?igsh=eGg0dWJlanpmZjE%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Scott Hunter
https://www.instagram.com/atxsh?igsh=bzg5YTl3MnlndHlh
