Welcome to the BRAIDED experience.I’m Xia (pronounced Shy), the hands and creative vision behind BRAIDED New York. It’s truly a pleasure to share my story with you.

My journey into braided and natural hair artistry began on my home island of Tobago, Trinidad & Tobago. As a young girl, I spent hours combing and styling my grandmother’s hair. By my teenage years, I was braiding throughout my community — and even in high school, much to the dismay of my teachers.

After graduating, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Law at the University of the West Indies. Yet through every chapter, one thing remained constant: braiding and styling natural hair. When I returned to Tobago after university and faced a slow start to corporate life, I leaned into my skill to earn an income while waiting. That decision became the beginning of BRAIDED.

It didn’t take long to realize that braiding was more than a talent, it was my passion and my purpose. The demand for the BRAIDED by Xia experience grew quickly, and with the encouragement of my family and clients, I combined my academic background with my artistry to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.

In 2017, I moved to New York City to expand the BRAIDED dream. Years of dedication, quiet diligence, and client trust led to the opening of my full-service salon, BRAIDED New York, in 2021.

There’s a scripture that says, “Your gift will make room for you and bring you before great people.” (Proverbs 18:16). My journey has been a living testament to this truth. Over the years, my artistry has allowed me to serve high-profile clients, lead hair teams for major fashion shows, and contribute to editorial and brand campaigns.

Yet at the heart of it all, my mission has never changed:

to provide every client, regardless of status, with exceptional braiding and natural hair care.

BRAIDED New York was intentionally created as more than a salon. It is a space to celebrate culture, connect with the diaspora, and empower talented stylists to grow and thrive.

I look forward to welcoming you into the BRAIDED experience