The Salon by InStyle at JCPenney has named NAHA award-winning artists Michelle O'Connor and Dilek Onur-Taylor as creative directors for its more than 800 salons nationwide.

Onur-Taylor and O'Connor will conceive and execute the division's image and identity and translate their concepts into salon-friendly styles and techniques for the company's more than 13,500 hairstyling associates.

"We’re delighted that Dilek and Michelle will be stepping into these important positions,” says Salon Vice President Natalie Lockhart. “As members of our team for the past five years, they have already contributed substantially to the growth of our salons. Their efforts have resulted in higher industry and consumer awareness for the artistry of our associates, and at the same time, they have been instrumental in developing the strong artistic team we have today. We’re confident they will drive our business even further in their new roles.”

The creative directors will create seasonal trends, lead technical and career-building education and also headline live events, including The Salon by InStyle's appearances at trade shows, public relations and fundraising activities. They'll be providing creative direction for Expert Edge, the division's bi-monthly magazine, and for Salon Live, a bi-monthly broadcast.

O'Connor and Onur-Taylor joined JCPSalons in 2012 as artistic regional managers. They coached and developed more than 55 educators, created and implemented training programs, participated in photoshoots and appeared at trade shows and events nationwide.

Before joining JCPSalons, Onur-Taylor owned a salon and was a lead artist for Joico/Shiseido. 

O'Connor began her career as a dancer, then obtained her cosmetology license after her career in performing arts. She worked at a leading salon in Ft. Lauderdale and became a session artist for clients such as Victoria's Secret and J.Crew as well as a salon owner and an artist for Mizani.

Both O'Connor and Onur-Taylor are North American Hairstyling Award winners. Onur-Taylor was a Texture finalist in 2013 and an Avant Garde and Texture finalist in 2016. In 2014, she won the NAHA for Texture, and in 2016, she won for Contemporary Classic. O'Connor won the 2016 Texture NAHA.

“We both look forward to building upon the impressive accomplishments of the Salon By InStyle at JCPenney, and taking our team in innovative new directions,” Onur-Taylor and O’Connor say. “We’re completely in sync in our beliefs that education, excellence and a superb customer experience are at the core of success for any salon, and we’re looking forward to sharing our vision with our team, and with Salon By InStyle clients.”