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40 The Colorist | JULY/AUGUST 2015 | thecoloristmag.com true s ory The last book he read was Steve Jobs' Life by Design: Lessons to be Learned From His Last Lecture by George Beahm (Palgrave Macmillan Trade, 2014), which focuses on the life lessons Jobs presented in his f rst—and only—commencement address to the 114 th graduating class at Stanford University. DAVID STANKO Redken Brand Spokesperson and Cutler Salon Senior Colorist David Stanko talks about growing up in Pittsburgh, his career and the importance of family. what inspires him fi rst gig HIS MOTTO? "Are you a colorist or coward?" NOW HEAR THIS PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY OF DAVID STANKO HIS BIGGEST EXTRAVAGANCE? "My Rolex, Cartier jewelry and my wardrobe" His f rst job in the industry was as a hairdresser's assistant. "I learned that clients are keenly aware of details—unclean brushes make a lot of women really mad," Stanko says. David Stanko grew up part of a tight-knit family in Pittsburgh. "I loved being close to my cousins and aunt, resulting in a special lifelong bond," he says. Stanko's parents, in particular, were an important inf uence in his life, teaching him the values of honesty, communication and independence, and not to focus on what other people think. "My father was an undercover vice off cer for the Pennsylvania State Police, and my mother worked for Westinghouse Air Break Company at the beginning of the end of the steel industry in Pittsburgh," he says. After they retired, Stanko followed them to Florida, but didn't like it there. He moved back to Pittsburgh a year later, where he attended Pittsburgh Beauty Academy, got his f rst two salon jobs and worked for IT&LY; Hairfashion, f nally serving as global artistic director before moving to New York City in 1996 to work for Redken. Living in New York City—where he is a senior colorist at Cutler Salon's 57 th Street location—and traveling provide Stanko with endless opportunities for people watching, "an unavoidable and simple daily source of inspiration," he says. "I also love watching '80s music videos; am fascinated with 17 th - and 18 th -century design aesthetics; and appreciate interesting furniture and architecture, from Philippe Starck to Frank Gehry." THE QUALITY HE ADMIRES MOST IN HIMSELF "My sense of humor" THE QUALITY HE ADMIRES MOST IN OTHERS? Honesty FAVORITE PLACE HE'S VISITED: Kruger National Park, South Africa WHY: "The bush run and sunsets are simply life-changing." Stanko considers his parents to be his biggest mentors. "They will forever remain the most hard-working, honest and quality individuals I have ever known," he says. "I also admire clever comedians and listening to gifted speakers like Wayne Dyer and Joel Osteen." His most treasured possessions belonged to his parents, now both deceased: his father's Pennsylvania State Police Commemorative .357 Magnum and his mother's Chanel N°5 perfume bottle and 18-karat gold cuff bracelet. HIS PERFECT IDEA OF HAPPINESS? "Work/life balance, meaningful conversation, and involving myself with other likeminded and genuine people whom I want to spend time with—life and time are too precious to be surrounded by jerks." Asked how he knew when he'd f nally made it as a colorist, Stanko replies: "When my opinion became pivotal within the L'Oréal organization with the chemists and marketers. For a decade I was the senior director of technical development for haircolor and lightener for Redken." Another career highlight? "I was inducted into the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy's Hall of Fame, joining such talent as Brad Johns and Arnold Zegarelli," he says.