Wella Academy: Adding oomph to hair
The Germany-based academy for specialised hair-colouring skills opens its first outlet in Pakistan.
The classes at the academy will begin Monday, February 16th with the maiden batch starting off training in hair aesthetics and colouring. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
KARACHI:
Wella Professionals launched its first academy in Pakistan on February 12. Located a little ahead of Movenpick ice-cream parlour, on 26th Street Tauheed Commercial. Located on the first floor of the Fayyaz Building, the academy is raring to evolve hair-care and is festooned in its patent red and crème colour theme.
Brand representative Klinner Tilo, from the German Consulate, who was in attendance, says, “Before coming to Karachi, I had the great opportunity of opening an academy in Russia, and I’m extremely glad we are now in Pakistan.” Elaborating on the brand itself, he remarks, “It’s a very old and traditional brand, representing high-end hair styling in today’s world. Three years from now, we are hopefully looking at setting up another outlet elsewhere in this country.”
While briefing The Express Tribune media personnel, Humaira Shahnawaz, educational manager at Wella Professionals Academy Pakistan, said she has been a stylist for the past six years and has acquired training in hair, make-up and skin care from Dubai and Turkey, with expertise in hair styling and colouring. “Since L’Oreal entered the Pakistani industry three years ago, there was no strong competition present in the hair styling industry. But now with Wella present, it will be tough,” she adds.
She personally believes salons must actively participate in allowing their young trainee professionals to be taught the art of hair colouring. “Here in Pakistan, I have seen that people learn through trial and error. That should not be the case, for it’s a very technical field and one should have a thorough knowledge of it before applying skills on customers.”
With six running work stations, the academy can easily accommodate up to 40 hair stylists in its studio to be trained via video streaming and physical, hands-on experience. The courses are divided over several days and are categorised as basic course, exceeding course and advanced course.
The classes will begin Monday, February 16, with the maiden-batch starting off training in hair aesthetics and colouring. The programme plans on admitting 20 students as of now and candidates will range from various smaller salons operating in the industry.
Shahnawaz stresses that the young candidates who are part of the upcoming programme and are eager to become skilled at hair-colouring should enroll themselves at the academy, saying, “Previously, salon training used to be shunned but now I see a different and more acceptable approach in society.”
Naushin Shahid, business head at Wella Academy Pakistan says, “We are very proud of stepping into the Pakistani fashion and styling market. It’s a big achievement on our end.”
Present amongst the guests at the event, were notable Pakistani stylists and make-up artists that included Saeeda Mandviwalla, Raana Khan, Huma Tahir and Romana Iqbal, who welcomed the academy with vigour.
Stylist Saeeda Mandviwalla of Toni&Guy Pakistan revealed her enthusiasm for the new academy. “I think it is wonderful to have a dedicated academy for people who are interested to get into the hair and beauty industry.” Wella has come to Pakistan with a great purpose, she believes. “The academy provides a great opportunity to those of us who don’t have a chance to ever go abroad and specialise in the hair and beauty department.” Certified and well-trained hair-stylists will be imparting hair-specific skills to students, which is imperative for a Pakistani beauty industry, she asserts. “It is the best thing that happened to Karachi. It is a key part of my brand as well.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2015.
Wella Professionals launched its first academy in Pakistan on February 12. Located a little ahead of Movenpick ice-cream parlour, on 26th Street Tauheed Commercial. Located on the first floor of the Fayyaz Building, the academy is raring to evolve hair-care and is festooned in its patent red and crème colour theme.
Brand representative Klinner Tilo, from the German Consulate, who was in attendance, says, “Before coming to Karachi, I had the great opportunity of opening an academy in Russia, and I’m extremely glad we are now in Pakistan.” Elaborating on the brand itself, he remarks, “It’s a very old and traditional brand, representing high-end hair styling in today’s world. Three years from now, we are hopefully looking at setting up another outlet elsewhere in this country.”
While briefing The Express Tribune media personnel, Humaira Shahnawaz, educational manager at Wella Professionals Academy Pakistan, said she has been a stylist for the past six years and has acquired training in hair, make-up and skin care from Dubai and Turkey, with expertise in hair styling and colouring. “Since L’Oreal entered the Pakistani industry three years ago, there was no strong competition present in the hair styling industry. But now with Wella present, it will be tough,” she adds.
She personally believes salons must actively participate in allowing their young trainee professionals to be taught the art of hair colouring. “Here in Pakistan, I have seen that people learn through trial and error. That should not be the case, for it’s a very technical field and one should have a thorough knowledge of it before applying skills on customers.”
With six running work stations, the academy can easily accommodate up to 40 hair stylists in its studio to be trained via video streaming and physical, hands-on experience. The courses are divided over several days and are categorised as basic course, exceeding course and advanced course.
The classes will begin Monday, February 16, with the maiden-batch starting off training in hair aesthetics and colouring. The programme plans on admitting 20 students as of now and candidates will range from various smaller salons operating in the industry.
Shahnawaz stresses that the young candidates who are part of the upcoming programme and are eager to become skilled at hair-colouring should enroll themselves at the academy, saying, “Previously, salon training used to be shunned but now I see a different and more acceptable approach in society.”
Naushin Shahid, business head at Wella Academy Pakistan says, “We are very proud of stepping into the Pakistani fashion and styling market. It’s a big achievement on our end.”
Present amongst the guests at the event, were notable Pakistani stylists and make-up artists that included Saeeda Mandviwalla, Raana Khan, Huma Tahir and Romana Iqbal, who welcomed the academy with vigour.
Stylist Saeeda Mandviwalla of Toni&Guy Pakistan revealed her enthusiasm for the new academy. “I think it is wonderful to have a dedicated academy for people who are interested to get into the hair and beauty industry.” Wella has come to Pakistan with a great purpose, she believes. “The academy provides a great opportunity to those of us who don’t have a chance to ever go abroad and specialise in the hair and beauty department.” Certified and well-trained hair-stylists will be imparting hair-specific skills to students, which is imperative for a Pakistani beauty industry, she asserts. “It is the best thing that happened to Karachi. It is a key part of my brand as well.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2015.