Mustafa Yanaz is a New York-based hairstylist renowned for his intricate, conceptual designs that blend elements of old-world heritage, modern style, and surrealist fantasy. Born in Turkey and raised in Germany, Yanaz’s fascination with hairstyling was inspired by observing his mother at work as a hairdresser. He began his career as an education trainer at Toni & Guy and served as a training ambassador for Schwarzkopf in Europe. In 2016, Yanaz moved to New York City to further his career in the fashion industry. His work has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Vogue Italia, Self Service, D la Repubblica, W, Dazed, i-D, M Le magazine du Monde, and WSJ. He has collaborated with photographers including Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Craig McDean, Walter Pfeiffer, Carlijn Jacobs, Willy Vanderperre, and Rafael Pavarotti.

Yanaz’s portfolio includes collaborations with brands such as Gucci, Chanel, Jimmy Choo, Jacquemus, Missoni, Zomer, Dion Lee, Theory, Dilara Findikoglu, Peter Do, 3.1 Phillip Lim, GMBH, KNWLS, Calvin Klein, Nina Ricci, Proenza Schouler, Paco Rabanne, H&M, Tory Burch, Toteme, Burberry, Givenchy, and Thom Browne. Notably, he served as the lead hairstylist for KNWLS’s Autumn/Winter 2024 show at London Fashion Week, where he created undone textures with an underlying chicness to complement the brand’s bold fashion statements. Yanaz’s approach often involves using his hands instead of brushes or combs to achieve natural-looking hairstyles. 

Beyond his editorial and runway work, Yanaz is committed to education and mentorship within the hairstyling community. He has contributed to product development for Schwarzkopf Professional and served as an international educator for the brand. His dedication to fostering new talent and sharing his knowledge underscores his influential role in shaping contemporary hairstyling. Yanaz continues to push the boundaries of hair artistry, drawing inspiration from his multicultural background and experiences in the film industry.