Q&A with Vivienne Wilson, Southern Assessor of the Year 2025

Can you tell us a bit about your journey into the industry?
I’ve been in the hairdressing industry since the age of 16, when I got a job as a salon assistant as an after-school job, which turned into my forever career. I worked at a salon for 6.5 years and worked my way up from the salon junior to the salon manager before moving to Kudos hairdressers in Merivale, Christchurch where I have now been for over 21 years. I have always loved the training side of hairdressing and teaching, passing on knowledge and helping others. I started this wonderful role as a HITO industry assessor in 2020.
Away from the salon and assessing, I volunteer at Canterbury car club at motorsport events along with my husband. We are lucky enough to be able visit our happy place, the Gold Coast, Australia every year for our annual holiday, which is special to be able to spend time with family and close friends.

Vivienne Wilson, 2025 Southern Assessor of the Year (right), with Ronda Shaskey Creative Director Nspyre Red Collective (left).

What attracted you to the industry?
I always wanted to be a hairdresser, I loved the idea of doing something creative as well as being able to work with people and be able to make them feel better and in some way brighten their day, what better way than a hairstyle!

What has been a memorable moment in your career?
Winning the 2025 assessor of the year for sure is a memorable moment in my career, to be recognised in the industry for something I am passionate about and enjoy. Also, the day I got qualified and completed my 2757… the relief that you feel of course but immensely proud of myself too. I’ve been lucky to be able to travel not only within NZ but to Australia to do lovely clients’ wedding hair and to be part of their special days.

What interested you in becoming an assessor for HITO?
After becoming qualified and building a clientele, I always had an interest and passion for the training of apprentices and giving back in some way to the industry that has given me my career so far.

What are your favourite styles or cut trends at the moment?
I am loving the trends coming through that are styles/colours that I was creating as an apprentice in my training and early stages of my career. Its great to see the fashions come full circle all be it with a tweak and a new name.

What are some things you would love to do in this industry in the future?
I am excited with the new qualification for our apprentices with HITO to be able to assess not only finals but the apprentices who are starting their training journeys with HITO. To be able to see them develop their skills and grow across their assessments will be very rewarding. Investing in myself and doing more study to contribute to the apprentices coming through and be able to tutor in the future.

Who has been your biggest inspiration throughout your career?
I would have to say it would be that I have had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented stylists in my career, that have been an ongoing inspiration and learning so much from them. But I would also say the apprentices that I have had the privilege of assessing, too as they have shown the skills they have learnt from their trainers and shown their talent and sometimes in adversity when things haven’t always gone to plan.

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