The Talent Behind The Chair
Yasmine Kitanovski
OWNER & PLATFORM ARTIST
Yasmine Kitanovski is the founder of YRK Chicago and recognized throughout the beauty industry as a highly skilled hair artist. Her craft is a skillset that is without equal. She is deeply invested in an innovative and creative thinking behind haircutting, coloring, extensions and product knowledge.
With over 20 years of experience as a successful hair stylist and industry educator, Yasmine has worked in Chicago’s most acclaimed hair salons and nationwide with luxury brands.
Named in Allure “Best Of” hair stylists, Yasmine has been featured in Chicago, Time Out Chicago, Michigan Avenue, Chicago Social and Chicago Social Bride.
Yasmine began her career as a hairstylist with Mario Tricoci and became an educator to new hair artists, contributing to the company’s growth. She is the former director of hairstylists at Anthony Cristiano Salon, where she developed new and existing talent.
Upon becoming a working mother dedicated to both her family and career, Yasmine continued to develop her loyal following as an independent hair artist at Paul Rehder Salon and in her own studio.
With industry knowledge and the commitment to excellence, Yasmine is reimagining beauty in Chicago with the creation of YRK Chicago. A space of luxury and comfort that meets all your hair needs.
Fantashia Hauss
HAIR ARTIST
Growing up in a small Midwest town of Ohio, Fantashia always knew that she had this creative, spark and boldness about herself and wanted more! She loved everything about the industry, decided she wanted to become a hairdresser and moved to Chicago. Fantashia started her career at one of the leading salons in Chicago, Marianne Strokirk. Here is where she built a foundation for her career. She worked here for 12 years and received exceptional education. She has been featured in Chicago Magazine as “Chicago best Hairstylist of the year.” Wanting more exposure into fashion shows, photo shoots, and celebrity work- Fantashia moved to Studio 110, another leading salon in the heart of the Gold Coast of Chicago. During this time, she was able to expand her growth and really explore all that the industry had to offer. She was able to attend and work on hair at New York Fashion Week and Miami Fashion Week. And also had the privilege of working on print work for different magazines. She really wanted to expand her horizons of the industry in diff parts of the world and travel globally to see all of what the industry offered. She attended Vidal Sassoon and Davines education classes in London. She has also shadowed for a day at top salon Paris and then in Tokyo.
Wanting to find more independence, she then went to work at Paul Rehder Salon. At this point in her career, she had really expanded her celebrity work, having the opportunity to work with amazing celebrities, such as Sarah Michelle Gellar (her favorite!), Madeline Stowe, Jenny Mollen, women from Nobel peace prize authors to band groups and even a few playboy bunnies. She have been featured in Dynamic Women 2021 for CS Magazine, and also published in Forbes. She loves that this industry has brought her to so many places. As she found herself being independent, she also had more desire to be around more like-minded artists that shared the same desire to grow and evolve- not only professionally, but personally. She has now found herself at YRK Chicago Salon, where she feels at home and can be who she wants to be, where she wants to go and how she wants to get there with the support of other women!
RHEA YBARRA
HAIR ARTIST
In the early days of my career, fueled by an insatiable creative drive, I eagerly embraced every opportunity within the beauty industry, diving in without much guidance. Shortly after obtaining my state license, I found myself on a tour bus, cutting hair for an up-and-coming band. To my astonishment, that same week, they performed on late-night TV, showcasing my work on a national broadcast. Witnessing my artistry on such a platform sparked a mission within me: "I'm going to do it like I'm doing it on TV." This set the stage for packing up my tools once more when one of my favorite bands visited town, leading to a series of backstage haircuts for the lead singer and marking the beginning of a two decade-long journey.
I'm thrilled that every path I've taken has brought me to YRK salon. Finally, I have the environment, opportunity, and a supportive team that enables me to provide my clients with the exceptional experience they genuinely deserve.
RICHARD SETTLEMIRE
COLOR ARTIST
Growing up in rural Ohio, Richard knew at a very young age he was destined to live in a large city. He started his career at Charles Ifergan Salon on Oak Street in Chicago. Seeking other opportunities, he decided to progress his career at Felipe Salon in Oakbrook. Here is where he ascended to "Director of Color" and continued on this path for many years. Wanting to explore more, he took his career and life and moved to Europe for 2.5 years. while living in Greece and Germany, he became a Haircolor Platform Artist and Educator for Wella. He elevated his career through contributions to German magazines and a range of other publications. Richard felt his experience was fulfilled and decided to come back. With his passion for high fashion, he opened a retail boutique on Oak Street, carrying the highest designers such as Valentino, Dolce Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, and Ferragamo, to name a few. He owned his boutique for many years as he continued excelling in his craft at Felipe Salon. Always knowing that city life is where his heart was, he stumbled upon YRK Chicago Salon, truly by accident. He was not looking for a change but knew his heart lived in that large city life, YRK took him by surprise. The detail he saw, emulated the detail that was of him. His attention to detail in his artistry of Hair Color would compliment himself and his work. Working his way back to life in the city only fuels his passion for his career as he creates his new path. “Working at YRK Chicago Salon not only allows me to continue my specialty in natural hair color but also to continue to take my career to the highest level.”