Tabatha Coffey

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Tabatha Coffey
Born	(1969-05-17) 17 May 1969 (age 43) [1] Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia
Occupation	Hairstylist, salon owner, television personality
Known for	Shear Genius Tabatha Takes Over

Tabatha Coffey (born 17 May 1969) is an Australian hairstylist, salon owner, and television personality.^[2] Her participation as a contestant on the television show Shear Genius led to her own television show, Tabatha's Salon Takeover, which airs on the U.S. cable television network, Bravo, on FOXTEL's pay television network, Arena, and Network Ten in Australia.^[3]

Career

Coffey, whose mother and brother were hairstylists, got her start in her hometown, where she started as an assistant in a local shop at the age of 14. A year later, she entered a four-year apprenticeship programme to learn more. Later, she moved to London to continue her training for the next three years.

Coffey opened her own salon, Industrie Hair Gurus in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She also styles clients at the Warren-Tricomi salon in West Hollywood. Her approach is transformative, creating a special look for each individual, unlike other stylists who specialize in a certain look. She also works as a platform artist for hair care product company, Joico International. She tours different countries 6-12 times a year doing hair shows for the company, both to showcase her talent and to train other aspiring hairdressers. “My favourite thing is to do work with other professionals and teaching,” she said in an interview. “I love giving and getting back from other professionals.”^[4]

In line with her stated intent to work and teach with other professionals, Tabatha recently sold her Ridgewood, NJ salon.

She has also been in beauty publications, as well as backstage in New York’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. She works regularly as an editorial stylist for top fashion and beauty publications, including Seventeen, Marie Claire, and Mademoiselle. She recently started a new show called "Tabatha Takes Over" where, in addition to making over hair salons, she also takes over coffee shops, amusement parks, and even dog grooming salons.

She wrote It's Not Really About the Hair: The Honest Truth About Life, Love, and the Business of Beauty, published in 2011.

Television

Coffey was first introduced to American audiences when she became a contestant in the Bravo reality show Shear Genius. Having auditioned out of curiosity, she quickly earned a reputation for her outspokenness and intensity. She was a front-runner in the competition, winning most of the challenges during her stay, but she was eliminated in the sixth episode, along with her teammate for the day, Tyson. She has made no secret of her objections to Tyson's methods, thinking his ego got in the way of his work. The judges eliminated them for their poor teamwork. Coffey later won $10,000 as the show's Fan Favorite.

In 2008, Coffey was approached by Bravo to star in the reality series Tabatha's Salon Takeover in which she uses her hairdressing and business expertise and edgy style to assist salons that are in danger of closing. The show is currently in its fourth season. She has also appeared on Make Me a Supermodel Season 2, The Tyra Banks Show as a part of Banks's "Glam Squad," and The Biggest Loser along with Tim Gunn, giving makeovers to the show's contestants.

In 2011, Coffey was the host for the NAHA awards.

Personal life

Coffey identifies as a lesbian and has been in relationship with her partner for more than a decade.^[5][6] She lives in Los Angeles.

Coffey, who lost her mother to cancer in 2010, works with Hackensack University Medical Center cutting wigs for children with cancer. This commitment resulted in a partnership beginning in 2011 with St. Baldrick's Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises money for childhood cancer research by hosting worldwide head-shaving events.^[7]

External links

• Official site
• BRAVO TV
• Tabatha Coffey on Twitter
• A Reality Check for Beauty Salons on the Edge of Failure, a television review by Anita Gates for The New York Times, 21 Aug 2008
• Inside Industrie Hair Gurus, Starcasm, 21 Nov 2009
• Tabatha Coffey Interview
• Industrie Hair Gurus, Manta business website

References