2 Mount Prospect Stylists Stun at Paris Fashion Week

Amethyst Skye Salon owners Karen Enzenbacher and Sara Hoefert make their mark on the global stage.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:33pm

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Two stylists from Mount Prospect, Illinois - Karen Enzenbacher and Sara Hoefert - were invited to style hair for runway shows at Paris Fashion Week in March 2026. The opportunity represented the pinnacle of their careers, as only a select few stylists ever get to work alongside prestigious designers and see their work on an international stage. Neither woman had been to Paris before, but they embraced the whirlwind experience, from learning the exact looks designers wanted to connecting with stylists from around the world.

Why it matters

The invitation to Paris Fashion Week is a major accomplishment for Enzenbacher and Hoefert, who have built their careers and families in the Mount Prospect community. Their success shows that big dreams don't require leaving home - they just require the courage to chase them. The experience has already opened new doors for the stylists, who now have their sights set on trainings and events in other fashion capitals.

The details

Enzenbacher and Hoefert, who both grew up in Mount Prospect, were invited to style hair for runway shows at Paris Fashion Week in March 2026 through their team lead, Jay Marie. The week was a whirlwind of activity, including a seminar day to learn the exact looks designers wanted, a team meet-and-greet cocktail party, and content days with photo shoots and videography sessions. The highlight for the stylists was the backstage moments right before the models hit the runway, when the energy was electric.

  • Enzenbacher and Hoefert were invited to style hair at Paris Fashion Week in March 2026.
  • Enzenbacher and Hoefert previously styled runway shows at New York Fashion Week in 2024.

The players

Karen Enzenbacher

The owner of Amethyst Skye Salon in Mount Prospect, Illinois, who was invited to style hair at Paris Fashion Week.

Sara Hoefert

A stylist at Amethyst Skye Salon in Mount Prospect, Illinois, who was invited to style hair at Paris Fashion Week alongside her colleague Karen Enzenbacher.

Jay Marie

The team lead who extended the invitation to Enzenbacher and Hoefert to represent Amethyst Skye Salon at Paris Fashion Week.

Jessica Pascazio

A stylist who had to step back from the Paris Fashion Week opportunity due to having a young baby, allowing Hoefert to take her place.

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What they’re saying

“It's crazy, it's chaotic, and it's everything a hairstylist can dream of for an adrenaline rush.”

— Karen Enzenbacher, Owner, Amethyst Skye Salon

“It's moments like this you just want to pinch yourself and know that you made it as a hairstylist chasing dreams. Doing things like New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week — that's something only a select few stylists get to say they've done in their career.”

— Karen Enzenbacher, Owner, Amethyst Skye Salon

“That moment right before the models went out on the runway — that's what we both loved most. It's the adrenaline, the energy, the knowing that what you've done is about to be seen by thousands of people.”

— Karen Enzenbacher, Owner, Amethyst Skye Salon

“I couldn't be more thrilled with the opportunities we've been given to advance in our industry. Paris Fashion Week has opened up more doors for us, and we couldn't be more thrilled with what's to come.”

— Karen Enzenbacher, Owner, Amethyst Skye Salon

What’s next

Enzenbacher and Hoefert now have their sights set on trainings and events in other fashion capitals like Milan, London, New York, and Los Angeles, building on the success of their Paris Fashion Week debut.

The takeaway

The invitation to style hair at Paris Fashion Week is a major accomplishment for Enzenbacher and Hoefert, two stylists who have built their careers and families in the Mount Prospect community. Their story shows that big dreams don't require leaving home - they just require the courage to chase them, even in one's own backyard.