Karen Varela

Karen Varela, Spring Valley, Calif.

Having a lifelong passion for design, Karen says, design is artistic and therapeutic. “Practicing design is a way to make the soul grow,” she says. Karen was inspired by Vidal Sassoon’s integration of architecture principles into hair design. She incorporates his design philosophy into her work as a hairstylist. Her artwork also speaks to her soul as she draws on color, shape and dimension. “To practice design is a way to make the soul grow,” says Karen. “Beauty is a way to create something without words that speaks to people.”