April Hairdresser of the Month - Benni Tognini

Benni Tognini - Togninis Hair Skin Body Brisbane QLD

By Naomi Jackson April 1 2009

Dedication and talent have helped Brisbane stylist and salon owner, Benni Tognini become one of Australia's most awarded and exciting hairdressers. And although he’s in hot demand overseas, lucky for us, it’s his passion for nurturing young Australian stylists that keeps him on our shores.

What is it that inspires you?

Youth. Young people can be daring and help you to see things differently. They challenge all the things I was taught about hairdressing when I was growing up and they keep me on my toes.

How did you get your start in hairdressing?

I’d always wanted to be an architect but I got thrown out of school and that put an end to that! I still wanted to do something that involved working with my hands, and so my mum and sister helped me get a job working with Brisbane hairdresser, Stelios Papas. At first I thought it was a laugh, I was 17 and there were plenty of girls at the salon. Then everything just fell into place. I found I loved hairdressing and stayed at the salon for 12 years.

You’ve now had your own salon for 21 years. What do you put your success down to?

My wife Tracy put it down to our passion for quality work. We set our goals early on and went about achieving them. In the meantime we also started winning hairdressing awards, and that has really helped.

You have recently opened a new youth-oriented salon AKA Togninis. What was the inspiration behind this?

We found that student days in our city salon had such a big following that we wanted to create a stand alone salon geared towards those who want great haircuts at really reasonable prices. Think students, backpackers, young people in general. All the stylists working at the salon are young, some are qualified, some are in training. It’s just a really cool hang out that offers cuts, colour, blow-dries and up do’s - all at half the price of the city salon.

What’s the hottest trend in Brisbane right now?

Short hair. A lot of my clients coming in and saying “chop it all off.” I think it’s got a lot to do with the climate and the way we dress. The most requested cut is definitely Katie Holmes’ gorgeous short, sharp style.

Togninis Hair Skin Body
Level 2/ 189 Elizabeth St
Brisbane QLD 4000
07 3221 2256

AKA Togninis
58 Ann St
Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
07 3852 2122

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