Stellar® is on a mission to shake up the hair styling industry, bringing innovative, high-quality tools to professionals and consumers alike.
With its Australian launch only last year, the brand is already expanding internationally.
We sat down with Koen Verelst, the Founder and CEO of Stellar®, to learn more about how it all started and to find the passion driving its success.
What attracted you to the hair industry?
“Honestly, it was my partner, who’s now Head of Operations at Stellar®, and who first introduced me to the world of hair. Being part of an industry that is constantly evolving and has so much potential made me realize that my background in business and engineering could really make a difference. I was also eager to apply my skills to create styling tools that were not only high-performing but also focused on the health of your hair.”
Can you tell us more about your journey?
“My journey started when we got the opportunity to set up my own distribution company at 26. It was a steep learning curve, as I was thrown into an industry I didn’t know much about. But with that challenge came incredible growth. Overnight, I became the CEO of a quality electrical brand for Australia and New Zealand, a role that opened many doors. In 2020, I felt that I wanted to support the hair industry much more and saw the birth of Stellar® – it all started with a sketch on a napkin over coffee! Since then, we’ve invested years in developing products that combine engineering with hair health, and now, we’re proud to have our own factory where we control every aspect of production. Our quality control is top-notch, and we’re committed to bringing only the best to our customers.”
What disappoints you most about the styling tool industry?
“The biggest issue I see is the huge variation in quality and technology. Most styling tools may look similar, but the difference in performance is huge. We’ve made it our mission to get rid of gimmicks and provide real, high-quality tools that benefit hair health. Quality tools not only save you money and time in the long run, but they also make your hair healthier and shinier.”
What would you change about the industry?
“We’re already changing it with Stellar®! We want salons and stylists to offer more than just products – we want them to offer real value to their clients. By recommending high-quality tools, they help their clients achieve gorgeous hair at home, between salon visits. Your clients are walking advertisements for your salon, and when they see results with great tools, they’ll love you even more for it.”
Who’s your hero in the hair industry?
“Creativity-wise, Vidal Sassoon was a true legend. His creativity changed the industry, and he’s someone I look up to. On the engineering side, Ok-Nam Cho, the inventor of the modern hair iron, is a huge inspiration. I had the privilege of working alongside him for many years, and I learned a lot from his vision and expertise. His influence continues to shape the way we develop Stellar® tools.”
That’s very interesting! Why did he inspire you?
“Working with Ok-Nam was an incredible experience. He taught me invaluable lessons about both the hair industry and the engineering behind the tools that stylists and customers rely on. His influence can be seen in our approach to designing tools that not only work but protect hair in the process. At Stellar®, we are continuing his legacy by creating the very best styling tools for hair health.”
What are you most passionate about?
“I’m passionate about creating tools that perform exactly as they promise. As a product developer, I’m always looking at the latest technology and finding ways to incorporate it into our tools. One example is the Stellar Omnia® – we solved a major problem with this tool by developing exclusive technology that ensures heat is distributed evenly, helping to keep hair healthy while still providing beautiful, long-lasting results.”
Tell us more about Stellar® and its mission.
“At Stellar®, we believe in quality, performance, and the health of your hair. Our team is driven by a shared vision of creating the best tools, and we’re proud to be a 100% Australian-owned brand with the tools designed in Australia. We’re committed to using advanced technology to make a real difference in how people style their hair. Whether you’re a professional stylist or a home user, our products are designed to help you achieve amazing results while keeping your hair in its best condition.”
Follow Stellar® on Insta @stellarhairglobal
For more information or to sign up for trade pricing, visit https://stellarhair.com.au/trade or call 1300 652 751.
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