With over 25 years of experience, Ukrainian-born stylist Yevhen Yevtushenko has transformed his passion into a powerful international career — one shaped by vision, resilience, and a deep love for the art of hair.
Yevhen’s journey began at just 15 years old in a small Ukrainian town. After giving his father a poorly executed haircut that ended in a shaved head, he received not criticism, but encouragement. “Well, now there’s nowhere to go but up,” his father said. That moment sparked a lifetime pursuit of beauty and excellence.
While still in high school, Yevhen began cutting hair for friends and sketching hairstyles during math class. Though his mother saw his potential and sent him to beauty school, his father encouraged a more traditional route — engineering. Yevhen chose both. He studied environmental systems by day and hair design by night, traveling between cities to complete dual degrees. This intense period shaped his belief that hairstyling was more than aesthetics — it was identity work.
At the Kyiv Academy of Hairdressing Art, his talent blossomed. His creative visions, often inspired by dreams, led to competitive success: he became a three-time Kyiv Cup champion, a national Ukrainian styling champion, and a medalist at the 2008 World Hairdressing Championship in Italy, where he ranked 4th among 53 competitors from 27 countries.
Recognized for his technical skills and artistic approach, Yevhen was soon invited to teach masterclasses, mentor aspiring stylists, and develop educational content for both YouTube and national TV broadcasts. He became a national trainer for Paul Mitchell Ukraine and eventually opened two salons, later expanding his role as a creative director for several others. In this capacity, he trained salon teams of up to 40 stylists, developing internal education systems and mentoring leadership.
He further refined his expertise through training at the Vidal Sassoon Academy in London and attending top industry expos in New York and Las Vegas. His work and educational outreach earned him national recognition — including a feature in the Ukrainian Book of Records for outstanding contribution to the hairdressing industry.
When the war in Ukraine began, Yevhen made the difficult decision to relocate with his family. Arriving in Florida with no network and no clients, he began again from scratch — armed only with his scissors, his skill, and his vision. He earned his U.S. cosmetology license and now works as an independent hairstylist in Naples, Florida.
Despite starting over, Yevhen quickly established himself in the local industry, earning the trust of American clients through precision, professionalism, and empathy. He now has a new goal: to open a training-focused salon and academy in Florida — a place where international methods and local inspiration intersect. His vision includes mentoring immigrant stylists, sharing global techniques, and offering advanced training to elevate the industry.
“Hair isn’t just hair,” he says. “It’s self-expression, it’s emotion, it’s transformation. When we change someone’s look, we can change the way they walk, talk, and feel. That’s the power of this profession.”
Today, Yevhen Yevtushenko continues his journey as an artist, educator, and entrepreneur. His story is not only about scissors and styling, but about the courage to begin again — and the power of creativity to cross borders, unite communities, and rebuild dreams.
Article by City Lifestyle Naples Staff
Photography by Samantha Bloom
Originally published in Naples City Lifestyle