Posted: 10/11/14
Hairdressing giant makes headlines at college
The co-founder of world-renowned hairdressing chain TONI&GUY officially opened West Nottinghamshire College’s £11 million lifestyle academy on Friday (7 November 2014).
-
(l-r Toni & Guy of Mansfield) Charlotte Mendham, Khardene Slack, Toni Mascolo, Dame Asha Khemka, Melissa Warren and Gail Manghan
-
Dame Asha Khemka with Toni Mascolo after he unveiled the official plaque
-
Hospitality students prepare Refined fine dining restaurant for an evening meal with Mr Mascolo
-
Level 3 hairdressing student Martieka Cartwright, 18, hands the scissors toToni Mascolo to style client Jayne Williams's hair
-
Mr Mascolo gave an inspirational speech to students and staff about his life in the hairdressing industry
-
Students from Revive gave Mr Mascolo a big welcome to the lifestyle academy
Toni Mascolo OBE, who has been hailed as the man responsible for changing the face of modern hairdressing, visited the lifestyle academy, which is training the next generation of almost 500 hair stylists, beauty therapists, chefs and hospitality professionals and is based at the college’s Derby Road campus.
After unveiling a plaque to mark the centre’s formal opening, Mr Mascolo watched a catwalk show, where hairdressing students showcased the latest hair trends and their own unique creations.
He also toured the state-of-the-art commercial hair and beauty salons, nail bar and spa, called Revive, and fine-dining restaurant, Refined, and spoke to students about their studies, career plans and aspirations.
Mr Mascolo learnt more about the college’s approach to preparing young people for careers in the hair, beauty, hospitality and catering industries through a combination of vocational training and practical work experience.
Students heard about his success story and had the opportunity to ask questions about the skills needed to make it in the industry.
Also attending the event was Craig Davies, training manager at award-winning salon chain the Francesco Group, which joined forces with the college last year to ensure the highest levels of training and commercial standards for the hairdressing curriculum.
In the evening, Mr Mascolo experienced the talents of professional cookery and hospitality students at a dinner with students, college governors and special guests including Mansfield MP Sir Alan Meale in Refined, where he gave the keynote speech.
Revive sees students working alongside tutors to provide a range of treatments and experiences – from hair styling, colouring services, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and body treatments using the latest techniques and products including Dermalogica and Wella. This approach to learning prepares learners for employment in a range of job roles such as hair stylist, beauty therapist or nail technician and masseur.
Meanwhile, Refined has fast become Mansfield’s premier fine dining restaurant, giving students the valuable experience they need to launch careers in the catering and hospitality industry, from chefs and front-of-house professionals to bar managers and events co-ordinators.
Mr Mascolo said: “It was a great pleasure to open the lifestyle academy at West Nottinghamshire College and I was very impressed with the excellent facilities and the talents of the students.
“I have a very strong belief in education; there’s nothing better than seeing people being educated to the very best of their abilities. Hairdressing has been my life and I believe it can provide a great career for anyone who studies it.
“Here at the college I can see students immersed in a real-life commercial situation, both in the salons and the kitchens. It’s always been my philosophy to work and study in this way. It’s clear the students are building the foundations of their own careers within these wonderful facilities.”
Mr Mascolo, who learnt his hairdressing skills from his father at the age of 16, opened his first salon with his late brother Gaetano (Guy) in 1963, in Clapham, South London. He has gone on to achieve an annual business turnover of £175 million, with over 400 salons in 41 different countries.
