my hair journal

I think the main reason for our trip to the London, and Salerno academies in Europe this year was to reenergize, if there is such word. All of us are Salon hair stylists. But we needed to see the other side of the canvas. Cutting Ms Smith graduated layers every 6-8 wasn't filling the void if you know what Im sayn. For me to stay excited I have to do and see something new. So thats what the 10 of us did. We invaded the Real education of Tigi. The photo-shoots, the behind the scenes of the new collection. The videos, storyboards, or even just a new cape that Tigi has put out would probably motivate us. We will take anything that gives us something to look forward to. I think I can speak for all of us on the Phx Art team and say that we admire Heath (former Phoenician) and the fact that he works with Anthony creating Ad campaigns and collections year after year. But until then we make it happen for ourselves. Local fashion shows week after week, bridal expos, recruitment, PR on every level, and of course spreading Tigi in every grungy small town in Arizona, that no ones heard of. And yes even the borders of Mexico do not escape my trunk full Bed Head products and Hardcore tools. ITS WHAT WE DO! Anything to diversify, feel different, or to remind ourselves of the Big Picture of why we part and comb hair to begin with.

Salerno- We were first greeted by Ricky and Fabio after being lost in Translation in Rome for a 3 days We spent a full day at the academy. Fabio and his crew showed us hospitality that I hadn’t quite experienced like that before. Our entire group was humbled by this point. From seeing I think every square in. of the Academy, To Gaetano being our personal Driver to take our group of 10 Around the Almafi Coast. And seeing where they filmed the new mens collection in the back alleys of the city. Fabio also shared with us a new customer service attitude in todays economy. Then we returned to the academy to have a feast of mozzarella ,salad, and bread waiting for us. And then Dinner later on that night with Claudio and Ricky at small spot downtown. So the next morn they picked us up again in a bus w/o hesitation to take us to the train station. Then we left to Barcelona (free Catalonia) for 2 1/2 days before Heath-row came in to play.

The first day in London moved pretty quick. A short visit to the Academy, then to Bed Head studios. We were greeted by Kieren then Anthony then Nick. From there.... we walked upstairs into a sea of other art team member that were from scattered parts of the globe. Jay was already on camera working thru his mens shape. Then Thomas followed with a tall model from Argentina. Over the next 3-4 days in the studio, I got to see all the hard work that gets put in. Myself and Ashley were fortunate enough to get interviews on video w/ most of the artists including Anthony . Barry told us about the color looks that would be released shortly in the states and Zak talked about his early years of hairdressing and how he struggled.

I think the coolest thing I witnessed was during the photo-shoot the last day. The team was shooting a curly haired brunette and I guess Nick wanted the hair to have this appearance of being wind blown around as Roberto Aguilar snapped off shots. I didn't see any huge fans around. But what I did See was Anthony Mascolo walking over to this tall styrofoam wall and Karate kick it in-half. Then he picks up this thick slab of styrofoam, starts fanning the model. And these perfect black-in-white images start popping up on the monitor. It was disgusting!

So yeah it was a good trip. Even though after 2 weeks in Europe my wallet was evacuated, and Carlito pockets resembled bunny ears, we had a blast in the month of march. Whether my phone got stolen in Rome, or Bree Losing her debit card in Barcelona, it didn’t really matter. We will definitely be going again every year till we get on the Traveling Art Team. Until then Short trips to Santa Monica and NYC academy will do.

` see ya in Cancun AVW