Over the last few years, there have been a number of academy closures across Canada. Learn about these two Toronto-based professional beauty academies that are continuing to thrive.
Kao Salon Academy
Located steps away from Toronto’s Distillery District, the Kao Salon Academy opened in June 2019. Originally located in Mississauga, Ont., the academy was moved to Toronto to be located in a hub and destination city. “We made the decision based on the need for us to grow in the industry and be a visible force to be reckoned with, because we wanted to be a destination for all stylists,” says Kathy Reilly, associate director of education for Kao Canada. “We set out to find the perfect location that was accessible, allowed us to have a flex space that would be a go-to for classes, and would serve as a community space that stylists could come to feel comfortable, inspired and at ease with each other.” Designed by JL Design Associates, a New York-based commercial interior design firm, the academy shares a similar design and aesthetic with the brand’s global academies, but with some Toronto flair. It comes equipped with styling and colour products, tools, hair washing and styling stations.
Reilly, who has been a hairstylist for 37 years and has been part of the Kao team for 24 years, works with Kao’s education team members to plan the academy’s curriculum by considering the brand’s new launches and focuses for the year. She also asks their artistic team what’s inspiring them. “My role is to bring our products and brands to life through education,” she says. “We do that through five specific education pillars, which each have different people responsible for them throughout the country. We have our in-salon pillar, which focuses on product knowledge and services that salons can offer, and our regional collective education, where we bring local or national artists to cities across the country. We also have our virtual platforms, which include our global education app and on-demand website and our in-person shows and events across the country. And then, of course, our top-tier pillar of education is our academy, and that’s where we host the most advanced, skill-building, artistic and creative education with the highest level artists in our company.”
“THE WAYS THAT HAIRSTYLISTS WANT TO LEARN AND SEE WHAT’S NEW IS ALSO CHANGING. HOWEVER, THE ONE THING THAT HASN’T CHANGED IS THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THEIR TECHNICAL SKILLS UP TO DATE. IT’S EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT DONE WHILE ALSO CREATING AN EXPERIENCE DURING THAT TRAINING. THAT’S WHAT OUR ACADEMY DOES. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT LEARNING SOMETHING NEW THAT THEY COULD PERHAPS SEE ONLINE; IT’S TO REALLY LEARN THE SKILL, BUT ALSO THE SERVICE AROUND THE SKILL.”—KATHY REILLY, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, KAO CANADA
Wella Studio
Located in the heart of Liberty Village, the Wella Studio was originally located in Mississauga, Ont. While the new space was being built, Wella operated its studio out of a storage locker with pop-up education that was supported by Sassoon Toronto.
Wella Studio Toronto officially opened in September 2018 and was designed by iN Studio, a local design firm. With design direction from Wella’s former global leader, Dieter Langsch, the space features the brand’s offices, a boardroom that can be transformed into an OPI nail classroom with moveable tables, a hair studio that includes a colour bar on each side and a glass wall that can separate the space, enabling them to host two seminars at a time. It also includes a kitchen that allows for drinks and food to be provided during events.
Deanna Spielman, Wella Canada’s education lead, has worked behind the chair for 10 years and will be celebrating her 25th anniversary with Wella this year. She works with the education team to bridge what the brand is doing globally and bring it to Canada while ensuring that they’re offering what they need to advance and inspire the industry.
“Because we have our offices out of the studio as well, our marketing and finance teams can see what’s going on in the studio. This enables them to see why they do the work they do—so stylists can continue to build their craft and build the industry,” she says.
“Hairstylists can enlighten someone in leadership on what we’re needing or what they feel we’re missing, and so it goes both ways. They get to see what we do and what we’re working on, and we get to see them furthering their craft.” “We also use the space for seminars and classes for large salons if they need a new or bigger space,” she adds. “It’s about that connection with our team. The space creates a great environment, and every stylist wants—and needs—to learn so differently, so we feel that the studio is important because it provides people with a place to learn and to be inspired. We can set up salons anywhere, but to have the inspiration of this space is a huge piece for us, and we love it! We really try to offer things that are unique that you might not be able to get in the salon or somewhere else.”
“EVERY HAIRSTYLIST WANTS—AND NEEDS—TO LEARN DIFFERENTLY, SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SPACE WHERE WE CAN RUN SEMINARS AND BRING IN SOMEONE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. BY BEING ABLE TO DO THAT, A HAIRSTYLIST CAN COME TO US. IT’S NOT ALWAYS FEASIBLE FOR A HAIRSTYLIST OR SALON TO SEND THEIR TEAM TO ANOTHER COUNTRY TO LEARN FROM A STYLIST. WE DO ALL THE LEGWORK FOR THEM AND WE CAN BRING THEM IN FOR THAT INSPIRATION.” —DEANNA SPIELMAN, EDUCATION LEADER, WELLA CANADA
Comments are closed.