Marianne Strokirk, co-founder/owner of Chicago's elite Marianne Strokirk Salons has a passion for cutting hair and is well recognized as one of Chicago's leading beauty experts.

Strokirk and her work have been featured in national trade and consumer publications such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, Town and Country, Glamour, Allure, Chicago Tribune Magazine and Ladies' Home Journal. She has appeared on local and national television shows including "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Strokirk's clientele includes professionals from all walks of life and is also known for giving Hillary Rodham Clinton some of her new looks. Other celebrity clients include Maria Shriver and Diane Sawyer.

Lauded by the trade, Strokirk has received many awards as well as publicity in Passion, Coiffure, Estetica, and Intebec's "Great Hairstylists of the World." Having performed as the first woman representing the U.S. at the Alternative Hair Show- the prestigious and global hair event, both in London and Chicago, Strokirk continues to share her creativity and inspire the trade.

The Swedish native's passion for cutting hair comes naturally. Strokirk grew up outside Stockholm and spent much of her time in the Salon her father owned. After working four years as an apprentice under her father's guidance, she traveled to France and England, taking her strong sense of style and innovative cutting techniques with her. She ventured to the United States in the late 60's, working in many prominent salons before going solo.

Strokirk and her husband John opened the first Marianne Strokirk Salon on Chicago's Chestnut Street in 1989. John, the business manager, and Marianne, the artistic director, opened their second salon on Oak Street in 1994 and today employ more that 60 professionals.

Strokirk split her time cutting hair at each of her locations. She caters to a high-profile clientele, and her standards are exacting. She likes clean lines, hair with lots of interior movement and flexibility. Strokirk trains her staff to cultivate an eye that is always fresh and sensitive to subtle changes. She never tries to impose short or long hair to anyone, remarking, "When you follow your own style, you are never out of step. Anything goes as long as the cut is fashion-forward and the balance between hair volume and body proportions are respected. The rule of thumb - emphasizing one's positive features - is too often down played by even the best hairdressers." She has seen it all: the saw tooth layers, the puffed-ball frizz, and the coif that lies there. Thankfully, Strokirk can right all hair crimes committed at the hands of lesser stylists. "People say they have bad hair", says Strokirk. "I always tell them - 'there's no such thing as bad hair, just bad haircuts."