Frani Thacker

>> Residence: Kailua

>> Occupation: Hairstylist and lash extensionist, Paul Brown Salons

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Growing up in Los Angeles, Frani Thacker became interested in hair and makeup through her childhood love of dance. The pageantry of her dance recitals inspired her passion for glam, while her seamstress mother shaped a parallel attraction to fashion.

“I would come home and she’d be sewing. So when prom came and I needed something to wear, she would whip me up something really fast,” she said. “When I needed something for dance, she could make something in under an hour. She would come up to me with a tape measure and just go for it.”

Under her mother’s tutelage, Thacker learned to sew and began mixing and matching patterns to create unique looks. This visual mash-up is the hallmark of Thacker’s style, pairing heavily patterned pieces with sleek lines and mixing masculine and feminine.

“I like things that are a little messed up: a pretty dress with Doc Martin boots,” said Thacker.

Another reason she liked the idea of becoming a hairstylist is the potential for mobility. Seeking to escape L.A.’s urban, fast-paced vibe, she and her husband, Dave, moved to Kailua to raise their son Jackson, now 8. After a stint with Avance Salon near Ala Moana, she has been working for Paul Brown Salons since 2013.

Favorite work duds: “A pair of pants that I made; they are really long and baggy. They are super comfortable, and that’s helpful when you are a mom. I found this really great T-shirt from Cookies. I pair them with the peekaboo-toe, ankle-strap high heel with cutout lace on the front that I got from Ross. I get so many compliments on this outfit!

“Another outfit that I love for work is Adidas platform sneakers or my really distressed All Saints army boots with Forever 21 leggings and just a cool, comfortable top. More of an edgier outfit makes me want to get edgier with the clients’ hairstyle.”

Self-styled: “I’m with the trend right now with the half-up, half-down topknot. My hair is a little longer right now, so it’s working for me. Or sometimes just as big as it can get. I’ve been wanting to do the two-braid look as well, just two French braids. I was thinking of putting in white extensions and braiding it black to white.”

Must-have hair product: “Paul Brown Wacks (styling wax) is great for separating and dividing the ends of my hair for styling. This product is great to getting back to where you started with your style, as your day goes along, rather than gel, which is more limiting.”

Transitioning to a night out: “Changing up shoes is key for evening. I would change my shoes from boots to something a little sexier: black stilettos with a zipper in the back because Dave is 6-foot-4 and I am 5-foot-2. And change up my earrings and add a color pop. My favorite pair of earrings are hoops from Claire’s.”

Island Lookbook is a weekly feature that spotlights local trendsetters. Contact features@staradvertiser.com.