Pivot Point Academy Melbourne Trifecta
This year's win at the International Hairstylists Society's (IHS) Battle of the Colleges (Victoria) marks a hat trick for Pivot Point Academy Melbourne. In less than three months, Pivot Point Academy has taken home three prestigious awards in three different competitive arenas.In July, the Hair and Beauty Industry Association (HBIA) awarded Pivot Point Academy with the coveted "College of the Year Award for 2010." On August 8, Pivot Point Academy came away from the IHS awards holding the title of IHS "School of the Year 2010." That same weekend, Pivot Point students participated in the IHS Battle of the Colleges competition where they placed first for the second year in a row.
This is the first time in the history of Australian Hairdressing competitions that an institution has achieved all three of these awards in one year. Pivot Point Academy is a great supporter of students who wish to enter the competitive arena. This year marked some positive decisions for student competitions. HBIA has introduced a transparent system that recognizes the contribution of the RTO and its students. After 15 years, IHS has reintroduced the mannequin-head competitions, providing student hair designers with a venue to express and challenge their creativity through competition work. "To compete as a novice on a mannequin head-it is a confidence booster for our juniors," says Ruth Browne, general manager of Pivot Point Academies. Pivot Point Academies will continue to provide training and support for competitions to all students who have a desire to showcase their creative work. This year's hairdressing award season has reaffirmed Pivot Point Academy's place as the benchmark in hairdressing education.
Pivot Point operates two academies. The Melbourne Academy has been established for nearly twenty years, and the Sydney academy opened its doors in January 2010. Both campuses offer apprenticeship training as well as industry short courses.
Pivot Point Germany Participates in TOP HAIR INTERNATIONAL
For the 3rd time that the Pivot Point Academy from Obrigheim actively participated in the biggest German branch exhibition for hairdressers. And for the first time the PP artistic team Germany, lead by Jens Hagenmüller, presented the international PP trends on stage. The top stylists on stage besides Jens Hagenmüller, were the professional trainer Melanie Dettling and Sabrina Holtz. The team presented cutting, styling and longhair designs from the DF collection Neoteric. The whole team was convincing with their creativity, enthusiasm and high level professionalism.
After the performance of the Pivot Point Artistic Team, visitors had the opportunity to inform themselves about further education opportunities at the two information stands of the Pivot Point Academy. The focus of PPA remains on offering unique professional elite- education and elite- master education in Germany, and they have established themselves as a premium brand since entering the German market four years ago.
Master Colorist and Celebrity Stylist, Kim Vo, Drops in on Evanston Academy Students
Kim Vo visited Pivot Point's Evanston Academy recently in response to one student's well-timed question during America's Beauty Show (ABS) in Chicago one month earlier. Ashley Gusich, a Phase 3 student, stood up during Kim Vo's question-and-answer session, gracefully removed her chewing gum and asked, "Would you be able to come to Pivot Point in Evanston and do a demo?" Vo replied that he would and quickly made good on his word. The next day his representatives contacted Pivot Point and set the date to visit.
It wasn't a fluke that Gusich asked Vo to visit. She is passionate about hair color and greatly admires Vo. She often studies photos of his work to figure out how he has achieved the look and depth of color. "You see his work and it's stunning," Gusich noted.
Vo, who received his education at a community college, now owns salons across the country, has his own product line, appears on multiple television shows including the very popular program, Shear Genius. The day of his visit Vo, with Gusich by his side, toured the Pivot Point offices and Academy. He travelled from classroom to classroom greeting students and taking photos, finally stopping in the salon where students gathered to ask him questions.
Vo answered every question with enthusiasm and said that one thing that motivates him is visiting with students. He stressed the importance of hard work and finding a salon, after graduation, with a good mentor. "Be honest with yourself," Vo advised. "Go with your gut and find a positive space [to work in]." He also suggested mimicking the stylists you love and being a lifelong learner. He does 38 heads a day. "I am learning every day," he told the students.
Ashley Gusich has memorized Vo's advice. "He told us the three things stylists should remember: be respectful, be on time, and do good work." She has also taken his advice to find a mentor to heart and has post-graduation plans to assist Paul Kane at Kane & Co., in Champaign IL.
She has also kept in touch with Vo since his visit and has been invited to visit his salons. "I feel so lucky to have already met someone like him; I still can't believe he came to visit."
Project Homeless Connect – Pivot Point Member School Participates
On August 7, 2009, students and staff from Merrell University of Hair Design in Jefferson City, MO and Academy of Beauty in St. Louis, MO (owner Rob Bruner pictured far right) met at Stephens College in Columbia, MO to participate in Project Homeless Connect. Put on by the Project Homeless Connect Committee and the Governor's Committee to End Homelessness, they joined with over 100 volunteers to provide a one-stop location for services that most homeless individuals need.
The haircut booth was well attended throughout the event. There, the students provided haircuts to homeless men, women, and children in need of those services. "Anytime you get a hair cut, it boosts your self esteem," said Scott Sharp, Admissions Director for Merrell University, "A fresh haircut is important for successful job interviews". According to Nickie Jones, co-owner of Academy of Beauty, "Projects like this are a great way for our student body to become involved in community service before they ever enter the workforce. It provides us with a platform to discuss the role that cosmetologists and business owners play in the well-being of individuals, not just local economies."
The event also benefited the volunteers by making them aware of the homeless situation in our state and providing them a way to help those individuals look and feel their best. It was a privilege to be invited to help out.
Pivot Point Hosts Successful Design Success Event for Member Schools
With nearly 250 participants attending from Member Schools in the U.S. and several from overseas, Pivot Point launched its newest educational library, A Designer’s Approach, at the Q Center in St. Charles, IL, in June.
Participants chose from a range of selections, including a training overview, curriculum and methodology support, seminars and hands-on workshops. The new Designer’s Approach library consists of Sculpture, Hair Design, Texture, Color and Salon Success. In addition, the updated Cosmetology Fundamentals module was also introduced with all components featuring new educational elements.
International delegates from Pivot Point schools and centers came from Canada, St. Croix, Trinidad, Finland, The Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden and Belgium.
For the grand finale, Leo Passage, Founder and Chairman emeritus of Pivot Point, appeared on stage as some of his grandchildren created hair designs and others assisted them.
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