Exciting news for the True + Pure Texture community! Our founder, Pekela Riley, was recently featured in Essence Magazine's prestigious "In The Chair" stylist series. This spotlight showcases Pekela's expertise as a celebrity hairstylist and her passion for embracing natural hair textures. In the feature, Riley shares her insights on hair care, styling techniques, and the importance of celebrating diverse hair types.
Published in Essence Magazine | Written by India Espy-Jones
“In The Chair With” spotlights the incredible hairstylists in our community who are giving us major inspiration. Each week, they discuss their personal hair and career journeys, what they’ve learned from their clients, and their top hair care tips.
Although she grew up with a hair stylist mother—who would often do her hair in intricately braided and bead-adorned styles— Pekela Riley’s desire to become a hairstylist didn’t form until her time in nursing school. “My desire to become a hairstylist was fueled by my strong opinions about hair during my nursing college job as the secretary of the cosmetology program,” the amika Stylist Collective member tells ESSENCE. “I found myself spending more time assisting students on the floor than focusing on my secretarial duties.”
After a few years at Florida State College at Jacksonville, the Florida-born student turned to professional hairstyling, working with the legendary Oscar James and Chukie Amos in New York. Since then, she went on to open her namesake hair salon, Salon PK, which is now over 20 years old and was even featured in ELLE’s “Top 100 Salons in America.”
Additionally, her niche for textured hair and editorial styles have landed her three NAHA nominations and a Texture Artist of the Year win, along with her work in publications like Vogue, Allure and ESSENCE. As an advocate for diversity and inclusion, “I have a passion for creating artistic and editorial work that celebrates the expansion and limitless beauty of diverse cultures,” Riley says. “While we work with our hands to create outward transformations, we truly serve as vessels of healing. This, to me, embodies the essence of beauty.”
Continue reading entire Pekela Riley's Essence "In The Chair" featured article.
