Joe Settle

For some, hairstyling may be a hobby or pastime. For Josef Settle, co-owner of the Avant Gard Hair Salon and Indiana’s Premier Hair Academy, it is total passion – a way of life.

Josef found his true calling in the professional beauty industry, where he was able to thoroughly fulfill his artistic potential while taking advantage of his marketing skills. A master of his craft, Josef Settle partnered with his wife, Shaun, to transform the world of creative hair design and beauty care education.

A graduate of Indiana university ~ Purdue University Indianapolis with a business management degree, Joe always knew that he wanted to own his own business. After meeting his wife Shaun in 1989, an already established hair designer, they combined her salon ownership experience with his entrepreneurial business management skills. They opened the Avant Gard Salon in 1992 in Avon, Indiana. Joe sharpened his skills and platform artistry techniques under some of the most recognized individuals in the salon industry.

Joe gained the prestigious title of Creative Director for Mastey de Paris in 2008, and was previously a Master Educator for Rusk. He and his wife Shaun have traveled the world performing on stage and educating and energizing stylists. Although education and molding new hair designers is Josef’s personal dream, every now and then he still needs a salon fix. While most of his time is spent instructing and creating, he is behind the chair one evening each week at the Avant Gard Hair Salon.

Noticing that the beauty educational system in most cosmetology schools was not producing high-end salon ready students, Josef and Shaun have created an institution focused on top quality total beauty care education. They offer a full curriculum that prepares stylists to be successful in the top salon environments. Stylists receive instruction from Master Designers on hair extensions, client consultations, corrective hair color, makeup artistry and total beauty makeovers.