Meet Kitt Spata, our brand bud and a haircare trailblazer. Kitt champions inclusivity and gender-affirming spaces in the industry. Gain insights into collaboration, community service, and authentic social media navigation. Get Kitt's favorite O'Douds products and their vision for an inclusive haircare future. Dive into Kitt's narrative, driven by passion and authenticity.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey in the hair care industry?

My entrance into the industry aligned with me coming out publicly & leaving college to pursue hair. I had all of my hair cut off in October 2017 & came out the same month through a private Instagram account, which is now the account I currently have. I tried being an apprentice but that didn’t align with my neurodivergence or learning style, I eventually went to Paul Mitchell the School in Tysons Corner. After graduating I worked in a barbershop next to a military base when I was about two months on testosterone. I just wanted to learn short hair but I was consistently asked by random walkins if I was a boy or a girl. I left after eight months and moved to Richmond where I’ve been ever since! I am completely independent & operate my own private studio called Youphoria, it is the most safe space I am able to create for us.

We've heard about your partnership with the organization "Strands for Trans," which focuses on providing gender-affirming safe spaces in the hair care community. Could you tell us more about this collaboration and why it's important to you?

Strands for Trans is a global network/database of self registered hair stylists, barbers, wellness industries an organizations who create positive and safe environments for all guests especially those in the trans community! This way they are searchable by zip code to be found by clients who are seeking an affirming haircut.

 (Photo by: MxBex)

When considering partnerships with brands, what factors do you prioritize or look for?

How much we align morally is most important to me & being respected as a trans person, not a token.

As a hairstylist based in Richmond, what do you find most rewarding about serving your community?

Being able to be a resource is the most rewarding thing for me. I love sharing knowledge or connections that I’ve found throughout my transition & time in Richmond.

Who or what influences your work and creative vision?

Yannick & Gabby of Coiffeurr Story (@coiffeurstory)
are icons to me. Their work ethic but how they still have fun is amazing to me & all I want to do. 

As someone who has a strong social media presence and now represents or is in partnerships with multiple organizations/brands, what advice would you give to others looking to promote themselves, their business and their personal principles effectively? What does success look like to you in this space?

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A post shared by QUEER HAIRSTYLIST / Youphoria Studios / RVA 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ (@kittspata)

When it comes to being a professional on social media, my best advice is to be yourself. People want to know who they’re going to for a service provider! Let people know a bit about you. When you are yourself the right people / brands that align will come to you. 

Among the O'Douds products, which ones are your personal favorites, and why?

The mustache wax is my favorite for my lil baby stache but also to keep my eyebrows in place! It’s lovely. I also adore the matte paste for some messy texture. Shop Kitt's Kit to learn about some more of Kit's go-tos!

What are some key aspects of making your space neurodivergent-friendly and why is this important to you?

Listening to the needs of my clients is my priority. I know I am only one person / experience & I cannot speak for everyone. After that, provide what they need! 

In your opinion, what positive changes or advancements would you like to see in the hair care industry?

I would love to see a shift in the binary language used in the hair industry. It’s exhausting & alienating a large group of people. 

Lastly, if you could only smell one scent for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?

Blood orange & bay !! I love the citrus scent :)