A passion for community and the individual. Gente Bella (Beautiful People) was born out of Chus Ebako’s passion for creating elegance, comfort, and style in her community. With an international heritage, top training and education in three countries and two continents, and a background in performance and personal presentation, Chus now offers her mastery of style and beauty to her clients through the Gente Bella experience. A strong believer in individuality and diversity, Chus says, “It doesn’t matter whether you are competing with others or just striving to present your best self, it is important that your image expresses your unique look and personality.”

A background of image and style. Chus Ebako was born in the island of Fernando Poo, West Africa, but moved with her family in childhood to Madrid, Spain. There, she grew up proud of her African origin, but embracing the European cosmopolitan culture. Her lifelong fascination with image, style, and performing began in Madrid, where she won her first beauty pageant at the age of 14. She went on to win many other titles, and was a finalist in the Miss Madrid contest. During her university years, Chus worked as a TV host and model, becoming the image for a well-known Madrid sculptural jewelry maker.

World-class training. In the early 1990’s, Chus traveled between Madrid, London, and the Bay Area. In London, she studied hair styling at Alan D. School of Hairdressing. Eventually moving to the Bay Area, Chus continued to develop her talents in the beauty industry, becoming a licensed cosmetician, barber, and stylist. She also began to compete in bodybuilding competitions as a figure competitor. Among the many trophies you will see in the salon are those for first place in the “figure” category in the US Natural Championships – ABA in 2005, and first place in Bikini Divas and Miss Figure in the Natural Olympia VIII competition that same year.

Image consulting and pageant coaching. From her background as a competitor and winner of both beauty and bodybuilding competitions, as well as her status as a master aesthetician and hairstylist, Chus has become a sought-after image consultant and coach for beauty pageant contestants and models. Most recently, she prepared Miss Pre-Teen California 2009 to compete in the Miss Pre-Teen USA Contest.

Your image, your style. Gente Bella (Beautiful People) is the realization of a lifelong dream. This European-style salon spa and urban retreat is a reflection of Chus Ebako’s vibrant personality and lifetime of experience with beauty, elegance, and image. Chus has created a warm, welcoming environment that embraces the individual differences of Oakland’s multicultural population, and helps each client find and express his or her own unique style.