One of the most important goals of our talented hair stylists team is ongoing education. Why is this so essential? Think about it! One day everyone and their sister wants to look like Jennifer Aniston…the next day that shag look is so outdated. In 2008 the trend was all about short hair (see Katie Holmes, Eva Longoria, Victoria Beckham) and now they are saying that the short bob is passé. So what are you going to do? Kick that short hair in to another direction or grow it long. And forget about just focusing on the cut – what about the color? L’Oreal is constantly updating and expanding it’s line of professional hair colors. New York is saying that Kate Moss’s new peroxide blond hair is going to be the trend of the year – but really…how many of us can rock that hair color? More traditional L’Oreal trends for Fall 2009 include rich reds, soft blonds, or warm brunette shades.
Receiving the latest technologies on color placement and trends are key to a progressive salon and we are proud that our stylists continued their education by attending these recent training sessions:
- The Art of Hair Color - The entire hair team from the Wingate attended the prestigious L'Oreal SoHo Academy in New York where they were able to train with celebrity stylists. The academy is the flagship educational facility of the acclaimed L'Oreal Professional National Academy program, located amidst trendy boutiques, cafes, and art galleries in New York City. The stylists learned the art of hair color, as well as the challenges of corrective hair color. Other expert classes included Short and Sexy and Fabulous over 40. Stylists received training on the latest color trends that come straight from Paris.
- Advancement in the Hair Industry - Kari Jo (Senior Stylist) attended this New York session and brought her knowledge back to the hair team about growing as a hair stylist in the industry.
- Special Event Upstyles - Three of our hair stylists attended training in Boston with celebrity stylist Malcolm Edwards. They have brought their knowledge of the latest in upstyles back to the rest of our talented staff! Malcolm started his career working behind the chair in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, but his visions of creating amazing designs soon moved him to London to pursue his dream of becoming a session stylist. After a serendipitous rise through the industry training with the likes of Guido Palau, he quickly became a star in his own right - Malcolm Edwards is one of the most sought-after hair stylists. His work has graced the pages of Vogue, W and Harpers Bazaar. He's also created some cutting edge looks on the runway for Prada, Miu Miu, La Perla, Vivien Westwood and Burberry.
- Haircutting & Design Trends - The stylists traveled to Boston for training with Amit Abraham. The weekend session focused on several new hair cutting and design techniques that the stylists are excited to bring back to their clients. Passionate, creative, and full of energy, Amit Abraham is known for creating hair that mixes classical shapes with contemporary inspirations. In his second decade of dressing hair, Amit has worked in virtually all hair mediums, styling for film and television, platform shows, print and runway. His work has taken him across the world, from Tel-Aviv to Manhattan, and he's equally at home styling 10 models for a runway show or creating an edgy cut on a windswept beach for a photo shoot. Amit's current work can be seen in the October issues of Allure, Lucky, W Magazine and Vogue.
- Special Event & Wedding Upstyle - The stylists learned the latest in upstyle trends for special events and weddings at a training with Orlando Pita. They are very excited to bring these new ideas and trends to their clients at the Wingate. For the last two decades, Orlando Pita has been a master of hair styles and fashions, the theatrical as well as the more realistic. Pita styles hair for celebrities from Madonna and Janet Jackson to Gwyneth Paltrow and Julianne Moore. His work has graced magazine covers such as the Italian, French, British, and American editions of Vogue, W, Harper’s Bazaar, and Allure. Many of his most extreme and fabulous hair designs were created for the fashion runway. Pita has created looks for Michael Kors, Versace, Prada, Miu Miu, Christian Dior, Valentino, Galliano, Gucci, Narcisco Rodriguez, Tommy Hilfiger, and Dolce & Gabbana. Declaring that he missed actually cutting hair, Orlando Pita opened his own salon in January 2005, in New York’s meatpacking district.
- Senior Level Hair Styling - Adriana and Kari Jo (Senior Stylists) were lucky enough to attend training with Jo Blackwell. Jo Blackwell is the owner of DopDop Salon in New York City (SoHo). Her salon offers a unique, “whole-vision” approach to hair design and her innovative style and passionate edge has New York buzzing. Many say that her vision to adhere to the artistic principles of hair design transcends the salon, and Dop Dop is setting new lines in the hair design business. Jo Blackwell-Preston won an Emmy Award in 2003 for commercial work. She also was on the premier episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy working with one of their clientele. She is a return guest yearly with the International Haircolor Exchange, and travels extensively as a color artist for L’Oreal Professional. She received the "Educator of the Year" Award from the International Hair Color Exchange. Jo serves on the Executive Board of the Hair Color Counsel of Intercoiffure alongside notable colorists.
- In-Salon Training - When they are not jetting off somewhere for training, the entire staff gets together in the salon for other continuous education. At least 4 times a year they are briefed on the latest in hair color trends and design from L'Oreal. Our exclusive Kerastase line is always on the cutting edge of hair products and offers many training sessions each year. Their Kerastase Haircare Institutes keep the staff updated on the benefits of the different product offerings and educates the stylists about which line is best for specific hair types. Finally, professionals from around the country are invited in to the salon and offer their expertise on specific topics such as razor cutting & design, men's haircuts, and more. The ongoing training and support within our hair stylist team ensures success in hair cutting and design and provides our clients with great results. Would you trust your hair to anyone else? I don't think so!