Posted: 05/11/14
Hairdressing giant to make headlines at college
The co-founder of world-renowned hairdressing chain TONI&GUY is set to officially open West Nottinghamshire College’s £11 million lifestyle academy, which is training the next generation of hair stylists, beauty therapists, chefs and hospitality professionals.
Toni Mascolo OBE, who has been hailed as the man responsible for changing the face of modern hairdressing, will visit the flagship facility – based at the Derby Road campus in Mansfield and which trains almost 500 students – on Friday (7 November 2014).
After unveiling a plaque to mark the centre’s formal opening, Mr Mascolo will enjoy a catwalk show, where hairdressing students will showcase the latest hair trends and their own unique creations.
He will then be given a tour of its state-of-the-art commercial hair and beauty salons, nail bar and spa, called Revive, and fine-dining restaurant, Refined, by principal and chief executive Dame Asha Khemka and head of lifestyle Amanda Jogela.
While seeing the facilities first-hand, Mr Mascolo will learn 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.
Afterwards, he will give a talk to a group of hairdressing students, who will hear about his success story and have the chance to ask questions about the skills needed to make it in the industry.
In the evening, Mr Mascolo will experience 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 will also give the keynote speech.
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.
Dame Asha said: “It will be a huge honour to welcome Mr Mascolo to our lifestyle academy and I will be so proud to introduce him to our students, who are the next generation of professionals and entrepreneurs in the hair, beauty, catering and hospitality industries.
“I’m sure students will be inspired by his tremendous success, having come from very humble beginnings to building up an incredible business empire across the globe. Toni Mascolo truly is an example of how far hard work, determination and a passion for success can take you.”
Also attending the official opening will be 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.
Head of the lifestyle, Amanda Jogela, said: “We have so much to show our special guest and I know that students are really keen to ask him about the secrets to his success so they can apply this to establishing rewarding careers of their own.”
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.
