SYDNEY – For Maria Thattil, hair is more than just part of her beauty routine — it’s a connection to her heritage, her creativity, and her confidence.
“My earliest memories of hair are my mum giving me beautiful Ayurvedic scalp massages with special oils,” says Thattil, an author, speaker, and ambassador for Shark Beauty. “For South Asians, looking after your hair is an act of love.”
Thattil remembers her mother encouraging her to do a dramatic hair swish, like in shampoo commercials, turning hair care into a fun and loving ritual. As she grew older, her hair became a way to express herself.
At 14, inspired by a mullet trend, she took a pair of kitchen scissors and gave herself a bold — though slightly uneven — haircut. “It looked hot, but my 14-year-old self didn’t quite nail the brief,” she laughs.
A year later, The Pussycat Dolls released a music video featuring Nicole Scherzinger’s blunt fringe. Thattil quickly followed suit, giving herself a sharp front fringe in front of the mirror.
Her relationship with hair evolved again during her corporate career. Thattil often stepped out for blowouts during lunch breaks. When coworkers questioned the effort, she had a simple reply: “I’m not doing it for work. I’m doing my hair for me.”
Now, Thattil is bringing that same energy to Australian Fashion Week. She has teamed up with Shark Beauty to design a series of standout hairstyles for the event.
“I start with the hair, because it frames your face,” she says. “It just shapes everything and communicates a tone for your look. What I’m looking to serve this week is very different, versatile looks.”
For Thattil, hair is not an afterthought — it’s the foundation of her daily style and confidence.
