How would you describe yourself? Are you confident, on-trend, driven? Are you witty, laid-back, creative? A lot of times, your great qualities remain hidden until people get the chance to know you. That’s why first impressions make an enormous impact. That’s why hair helps sculpt your identity. Your hair is a reflection of you!
We build relationships with our clients by taking the time to get to know you, your taste, and your personality.
At Vakkar, we know that appearance helps spark confidence, and you can’t gain confidence unless you trust your stylist. We build relationships with our clients by taking the time to get to know you, your taste, and your personality. We will work closely with you to gain your respect and trust, and from there, we’ll create a look that is purely YOU. From the moment you walk in Vakkar, you’ll feel like you belong in our welcoming environment. The upbeat music, the enthusiastic stylists, and the overall vibe here make you feel comfortable. We’re attentive to what you want to achieve with your new hairstyle, and we’re also here to offer up our professional opinions. That’s why we’re the experts!
As a Davines® exclusive salon, we proudly offer the latest in both technology and technique. What makes us stand alone, however, is pure talent. This is something that tools and technology doesn’t provide. This is raw and natural – there’s nothing to hold us back.We are confident in our abilities to help you achieve a look that’s beautiful, remarkable, and most importantly, a true reflection of yourself. At Vakkar, we believe no one has a bad day when they have good hair!
Meet the Team
David Johnston
CREATIVE DIRECTOR / STYLIST
Working behind the chair for over a decade, David Johnston is a master stylist, and his cutting, coloring, and styling are the inspiration behind Vakkár. His design is based on classic shape. If the look you desire is natural, realistic, and soft with great movement, David has refined his techniques to create these styles. David’s focus is on professional and modern mainstream hair. Those who want a bit more edge, he is always willing to deliver.
With formal training under Youbi Lee, a leading St. Louis stylist, David is an expert in pivot point and principle base cutting. David’s advanced cutting, coloring and editorial styling techniques result from professional training with Vidal Sassoon, Bumble and Bumble, Redken, Sebastian, L’Oreal Professional, Fermici, and Matrix. David’s diverse background fosters his unique style and dynamic approach. David Johnston is the Creative director for Vakkár.
Gary Palmer
STYLIST
Gary began his career at Westham College of Fashion in London, England. He went on to work at Daniel Galvin-a world renowned color salon-located in London’s West End. He moved to the United States in 1985 and opened his own salon in 1992, managing 20 employees. He continued his education and attended Sassoon and Toni & Guy Academies on a regular basis. In 1999, he returned to London, where he managed Faltricks, a group of three internationally known salons. In 2002, he returned to the United States, where he continued his career as a stylist and educator for L’Oreal Professionnel. Gary is a first-class educator, able to teach expert color, hair-cutting and dressing techniques.
Lauren Nicastro
STYLIST
Lauren graduated from the Kenneth Shuler academy in South Carolina. While working on her cosmetology certification she earned certificates in Redken Principle’s of cutting, coloring, and American Crew men’s cutting. Graduating in 2018 she studied under the creative director David Johnston to become a member of the Vakkar Salon stylist team. Her achievements are Davines certified, Perfectress certified, Blonde specialist, and Curly hair guru.
Melanie Leinenger
STYLIST
Melanie is a master colorist and extension artist Melanie brings over 16 years of elite expertise to every client transformation. Having studied advanced techniques in New York and Los Angeles, she’s renowned for creating stunning blondes, dimensional brondes, and vibrant redheads using prestigious color lines like Schwarzkopf, Davines, and Oligo. Her extension mastery includes Invisible Beaded, fusion, and tape-in methods, delivering flawless, natural-looking results. As a licensed instructor and precision haircutter, Melanie crafts timeless, low-maintenance styles while mentoring the next generation of stylists. Her commitment to continued education and artistic excellence ensures every client receives the most innovative, personalized hair solutions.
Jillian Velice
SOCIAL MEDIA & FOH
Jillian is a dynamic and driven social media marketing professional with a passion for storytelling and strategic communications. She graduated from Lindenwood University in 2023 with a degree in Advertising and Strategic Communications, where she honed her skills in creating compelling content, building brand awareness, and connecting with audiences across various platforms. With certifications through Adobe and Meta, she develops a deep understanding of how to craft engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences. Jillian’s expertise spans across content creation, social media strategy, influencer partnerships, and analytics. Jillian is excited to continue growing her career in social media marketing, helping Vakkar connect with our community in authentic and impactful ways.
