About Suriya
Born in Thailand, trained in Europe, perfected in California.
Suriya Soonthornnon’s background is as eclectic as the range of styling and treatment techniques this man has mastered over the more than two decades he has been practicing his art.
“Whether simple and functional or inspiring and edgy, I create the most modern looks from the States and Europe, with the latest technical methods as my inspiration,” Suriya
Trained at a host of Europe’s most renowned institutes including Vidal Sassoon, Paul Mitchell, Wella, Redken, and Toni & Guy — the world’s leading color innovators — Suriya has participated in several hair shows and competitions and exhibited at London’s Fashion Week.
After falling in love with San Diego, he has now settled here and is focused on bringing locals the sort of top-notch styling usually only found in the salons of New York, Los Angeles and London.
“If you have always wanted to meet a master stylist who knows how to make the most of your hair, now you have!”
Suriya Soonthornnon was born in Bangkok, Thailand, but moved to the trendy Southwest of England as a child. He studied fashion design at Middlesex University of North London, but after graduating decided that he wanted to work with people — face to face with human beings instead of mannequins.
Suriya apprenticed under the expert guidance of Simon Willetts, a master stylist and owner of the renowned Combers Salon in Somerset, U.K. The exceptional one-on-one training he received during his time at Combers was a vital foundation for Suriya’s career, and with his passion for color, design, texture, and people, Suriya naturally excelled as a stylist. His journey to becoming a master of his craft had begun.
After his apprenticeship, Suriya traveled north to London, where he completed additional training with industry leaders Vidal Sassoon, Paul Mitchell, Wella, Redken, and Toni & Guy — the world’s leading color innovators. Over several years in the Big City, he participated in hair shows and competitions and exhibited at London’s Fashion Week.
Then, in 2000, Suriya left the U.K. pursue his other passion in life — travel. For seven years, he traveled the seven seas on luxury cruise liners as top stylist and spa manager for Steiner Leisure.
“I was fortunate enough to combine my love for traveling and the pleasure I take from diverse cultural experiences with the chance to become even more dynamic and imaginative in my craft,” he says.
From the idyllic resorts of Bora Bora to the chic streets of Paris, Scandinavia and Japan, Suriya studied the fashions and trends of some of the world’s hottest locations. Catering to a high-class clientele, who always knew what they wanted, posed professional and stylistic challenges that pushed Suriya to rise to the top of his art and become a master stylist himself. In 2006 Suriya met his wife, Wendi, an acupuncturist and herbalist and in 2008 they moved to San Diego, Wendi’s hometown, to start a family.
These days, Suriya has developed a specialty for advanced technical cutting and coloring techniques, as well as keratin treatments such as Brazilian Blowout. He strives to continuously innovate, and is never afraid
to take risks that go beyond the conventional. He keeps his craft sharp with continuing education courses in the States and keeps his eye for fashion honed with regular trips to the U.K. and Europe, where he studies the latest trends and keeps up with the most modern approaches to cut, color, and styling. Suriya’s talent and unique style are reflected through his creative vision and perfectionism. But, more than that, his insight into what his clients desire, together with his own skill and expertise, enable him to turn everyday ordinary into something extraordinary. Above all, Suriya knows how to capture the essence of how a person should feel and is a master at transforming their dreams and visions into reality.
