One of Salon A·K·S®'s three founders, Kao Hui shares his partners' belief that a total evaluation of a client's lifestyle and physical characteristics is essential in creating the perfect cut. And for this Hong Kong-born hairstylist, whose client list includes names like Sigourney Weaver, Vanessa Redgrave and Tommy Hilfiger, listening to the client is the most vital part of this process.

Kao arrived in the Unites States at 14, and spent his teenage years in Washington, D.C., later graduating from cosmetology school and training at the capital city's top salons. While working at the Bruno Dessange salon in Washington, Kao was granted the opportunity to study in Paris with acclaimed stylist Jacques Dessange. When he relocated to New York, he quickly established himself as a creative force in hair design, signing on with the renowned Frederic Fekkai.

With a career that spans two decades at the country's top salons, Kao has carefully honed a design philosophy that caters to the needs of each individual client. Adept at creating cutting-edge fashion looks, he has worked on the runways of Ralph Lauren and styled for premiere glossy magazines like Vogue, Redbook and Allure, a beauty bible that also bestowed on Kao the honor of "Best Short Haircut." For clients whose everyday lives don't involve runways or photo shoots - but who want to look like they do - Kao creates looks that he says, "make a statement, but are understated."

Model: NICOLE
Description: Romantic, chic and sexy were the buzzwords I drew on in creating this look. I cut Nicole's hair in long layers and dried it completely. Applying Phyto Look Setting Lotion to each section of her hair, I then curled it with a curling iron, pinning each curl while it was still hot and letting it cool down. Finally, I had her turn her head upside down and ran my fingers through her hair to adjust the curl to the desired volume.