The Academy can train up to 40 individuals in hairstyling and hair colouring techniques at a time. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
Remember that time your hair dresser chopped off too much hair? Or the dye job went horribly wrong? Well, L’Oreal Professionnel, the Parisian house of hairdressing, has launched an institute in Pakistan, with promises to train aspiring stylists.
While local training institutes have been around for a while, with this academy, an internationally-recognised school is coming to Pakistan for those who cannot venture abroad. Located on the sixth level of the Forum Mall, the academy offers professional training in both hair-styling and hair-colouring to students.
From the ceiling to the tiled floors, the academy, which can accommodate 40 students at one time, is decked in pure white, courtesy of Tariq Qaiser Associates. Set to welcome its first batch on September 1, it has opened registration for applicants, with five local salons already showing interest in having their employees trained. “Our motto is to provide cost-effective training,” said Education Manager L’Oreal Pakistan Ambreen Merchant, adding that the institute’s curriculum is “closely linked” with curriculums of international level. “[It will] provide exposure for those who can’t train abroad.”
Concerning fee-structure, Merchant explained that a basic one-day course for hair-colouring will be between Rs1,000 to Rs1,500. However, charges will vary based on the level of difficulty of the course.
Salons owners have welcomed the initiative. Stylist Daulat Rahimtoola of Pivot Point said she feels relieved. “This is the need of the hour. Until now, salons were training and teaching on their own,” she said. “In the past, a stylist would have taken over the chotay ki job [if there was a mistake]. Now, the academy will groom everyone.”
The Academy can train up to 40 individuals in hairstyling and hair colouring techniques at a time. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
The launch event opened with a red carpet meet and greet, featuring salon professionals such as Ruhana Iqbal of Bhabi’s Beauty Clinic, journalists, media personalities and members from the Consulate General of France, namely Christian Ramage. Along with these personalities were L’Oreal’s very own, General Manager L’Oreal Professional Products Division Sadia Shah, and Education Manager L’Oreal Pakistan Ambreen Merchant.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Managing Director Musharaf Hai talked about why the academy is necessary. “This is the first professional academy in Pakistan — this whole industry needs to be professionalised and this requires training,” she said. She explained that the academy will offer classroom-based education, as well as practical hands-on training. “Today’s world is all about technology, and the academy will be inspired by such training.”
Thanking the L’Oreal team, Ramage said L’Oreal is a success not only in France but worldwide. “It has changed the perception of hair-dressing globally. I am a mere Consul General, but the L’Oreal team based in Pakistan is the true ambassador of French taste and style,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2013.
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