SkillsOne visits the new Valonz salon in the city and chats to owner, Renya Xydis, about her hairdressing career. Her and her husband James met when they were two young teenagers starting out in the industry, back in the days when "everyone lined up for apprenticeships" as Renya says. The two recognised that they shared a common work ethic when they would find themselves working late for their boss when everyone else had left, and dreamed of one day owning their own salon. Over the last two decades, James Xydis has solidified the success of Valonz within his role as Business Director. Leaving the creativity of the salon to Renya, he has nurtured the growth of the company from its humble beginnings is a success story in itself.

Creative director, Renya has carved her niche as one of the industries leading hair directors and travels internationally to participate in the best of the European and New York fashion shows. Renya has a reputation for working with celebrities, and being their stylist of choice when visiting Australia. Past clients include Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Cate Blanchett, U2, Mischa Barton and Geoffrey Rush. Renya is known to direct the hair at Collette Dinnigan’s Paris Fashion Week show, and is also known to fly to New York Fashion Week to work with Sass and Bide.

Locally, she is kept busy with constant editorial work within Australia's leading glossy magazines including Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, alongside regular domination directing the hair for Sydney Fashion Week's best shows.

James and Renya handpick and thoroughly train each member of the Valonz team of technicians, and are known for their consistently high standards in cut and colour. In 2007 Renya was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Hair Expo Australia Hairdressing Awards. She is considered one of the most successful people in Australia's beauty industry, having gone from a hard working apprentice to the head of a beauty empire in Australia. Just goes to show that where dedication, hard-work and passion can get you!