By MEGAN WILSON
CHRISSY Amphlett, Dawn Fraser and Dawn French are just a few of the famous clients Noosa hairstylist, Jo Gabe, has had in her chair.
Jo, originally from London, has had a successful career spanning more than two decades, two countries and a whole lot of hair products. She began her career on cruise ships at the age of 21, servicing clients such as the Women’s Weekly tour where she could indulge in the extravagance of a life at sea.
“I was doing all these ladies hair for special occasions, such as Captain’s cocktail parties, special events, and many occasions that go with ship life,” Jo said.
“I remained on the ships for three years. It was a lot of fun, but you feel like you need reality again.”
Jo moved back to London and worked with Vidal Sassoon for two years, learning many techniques to add to her already impressive list of services.
“It was a wonderful experience… but winter came and I couldn’t handle the cold,” she said.
Jo’s colourful career saw her immigrate to Sydney where she worked as a technical adviser for Wella, helping to correct perms and colours gone wrong, an all too common problem in the fabulous 80s.
“Every day was different and bubbling with great colours, extravagant and outrageous hair do’s and good fun,” she said.
After an eventful career, filled with famous clients and life on the sea, Jo now calls Noosa home and runs her own hair dressing business from her Sunshine Beach home.
“I love living on the coast. It is undoubtedly a beautiful place,” she said.
“I swim nearly every day of the year. The climate is also great.
“We have lovely food, and as I love cooking, I appreciate it when I have a great meal when I go out.”
Jo’s latest client is local musician and Chrissy Amphlett impersonator, Tracey Combes, who of course, asks for the chopped, brown style of the former Divinyls front woman.
There is no one better suited to recreate the signature style of her former client, Chrissy Amphlett, than Jo Gabe.
