Intercoiffure's Spring Symposium: Inspiration in the Sun
Since my last blog on “getting the most out of continuing education”, I have been caught up in a training whirlwind.
It started the first weekend of this month with Intercoiffure’s Spring Symposium at the Waldorf Astoria Beach Club Resort in Boca Raton, Florida. Phew…that’s a mouthful. If that experience sounds over-the-top off-the-hinges incredible to you, you’re on the right track. When my manager broke the news that I had the opportunity to spend 4 days basking in the Florida sun, I didn’t ask any questions… except, maybe… “are we there yet?”
Our Beautiful Resort
This was the weekend of 3 “can’t-go-wrongs”.
First, the location: Boca Raton, Florida. Seriously? How exotic and amazing does that sound?
Second, the resort: Waldorf Astoria Beach Club Resort. Enough said.
Third, the event: Intercoiffure’s Spring Symposium is like a mixer for some of the best and brightest in our world of hair. Inter-what? Intercoiffure is an international hair dressing organization originally founded in Paris in 1912. This organization is so well-respected in over 50 countries that they “establish seasonal Beauty Trends” and set the standards for our industry. (quote from: www.Intercoiffure.com)
The stage was set for an incredible 2 days of inspirational genius. Having been to numerous hair shows before, I arrived in Florida prepared for large crowds and endless booths carrying the “next best” product I can’t live without, or big name stylists on stage cutting crazy hairstyles with music blaring and models dancing in the background. To my surprise, I entered the “Main Hall” on Sunday morning and saw 300-400 chairs neatly laid before a modestly-sized stage. It was clean and modern, but not over-the-top.
The presenting stylists, those giants-of-our-industry, humbly appeared on stage, gave their presentation, and then came down to sit in the audience with their friends. They didn’t sign autographs and slip quietly out the back door into their getaway car. They ate lunch with us, attended sessions, and exchanged ideas with us. In that moment I was struck with two conflicting thoughts. First, the realization that these people are AMAZING and I have so far to grow. Secondly, that I am blessed to already be numbered among their peers. The camaraderie of this group was outstanding and their talent humbled me.
A model from Perry Monge's Nouveau style
The stage was set for an incredible 2 days of inspirational genius. Having been to numerous hair shows before, I arrived in Florida prepared for large crowds and endless booths carrying the “next best” product I can’t live without, or big name stylists on stage cutting crazy hairstyles with music blaring and models dancing in the background. To my surprise, I entered the “Main Hall” on Sunday morning and saw 300-400 chairs neatly laid before a modestly-sized stage. It was clean and modern, but not over-the-top.
The presenting stylists, those giants-of-our-industry, humbly appeared on stage, gave their presentation, and then came down to sit in the audience with their friends. They didn’t sign autographs and slip quietly out the back door into their getaway car. They ate lunch with us, attended sessions, and exchanged ideas with us. In that moment I was struck with two conflicting thoughts. First, the realization that these people are AMAZING and I have so far to grow. Secondly, that I am blessed to already be numbered among their peers. The camaraderie of this group was outstanding and their talent humbled me.
Here are a few highlights from the event:
David Wagner spoke about his book “Living your Life as a Daymaker” which touches on the principle that our main goal as a hairstylist should be to make somebody else’s day.
Models in flowing, silky gowns and multi-dimensional hair took the stage, as the highly acclaimed Christopher and Sonya Dove showed their stuff with the “creative intelligence” hair color technique.
Belinda Gambuzza and Sonya Dove taught an incredible hands-on class that showed us how to properly handpaint highlights.
“Mod and Mad” was all the rage during Perry Monge’s “Nouveau style” presentation. Nouveau style gives young hairstylists a chance to show off their creativity through friendly competition.
Vivienne Mackinder lets her imagination run wild with multicolored hair wefts
Vivienne Mackinder quickly became everyone's favorite
Vivienne Mackinder, who I now call the “darling of hair”, lit up the stage with her smile and vibrant personality. The audience hung on her every move. We roared with laughter, wildly applauded, and froze in expectation as she nimbly created hair magic.
A fresh take on the French twist
Demoing an amazing "finger wave" technique with a flat iron
The weekend wrapped up with “Alternative Classics”. The team, lead by Mary Brunetti, put a new “twist” on the classic french twist, reinventing it to create several different looks.
This is just a small portion of the presenters who made Intercoiffure’s Symposium a smashing success. I packed, and regrettably boarded a plane that would take me far from Florida’s 86 degree sunshine and back to a very confused spring season in Pennsylvania. I was sad to leave, but filled with a new zeal for hair, and with an aim to take the season by storm! here’s to spring 2014…May yours be filled with inspiration!