The first edition of Hair Visual Show was a great success. HC Salon and AirTouch Milano have succeeded in combining traditional training with a stage show offering live demonstrations of the most up-to-date colour, cut and styling techniques.
Now the event has reached its second edition with four dates throughout Italy, the Estetica editorial team wanted to get the feedback of of both participants and discover the true essence of the show.
We interviewed Andrea Bozzano, owner Hc Salon – a 6 salon group in Italy – which has a range of personalised products and has held over 60 training weekends at the same time all over Europe.
HOW WAS HVS’ 2023 EXPERIENCE WITH SHI?
It was challenging to organize a training event of this magnitude, we had no references to similar activities because in Italy it was the first time this format had been presented. I was thrilled to meet, collaborate and develop a friendship with Shi and to find the way to bring our artistic teams together. Our thoughts and ideas on how Hair Visual Show should be developed were shared from the start. We are happy that the most important companies in the sector have decided to trust in our project and support us.
We immediately found common points of interest so we could independently design, develop and implement a training event for industry professionals which offers professional services, in order to create two days of high-quality training.
WHAT’S NEW FOR THE 2024 HAIR VISUAL SHOW?
We are happy to announce that in 2024 there will be four dates of Hair Visual Show, in particular the training weekends in Verona, Milan, Rome and Naples. Our desire is to reach all our colleagues around Italy, so that everyone can participate and see live colour, cut and styling techniques from both the HC Salon team and the AirTouch team Milano. This year, our colleagues participating in the Hair Visual Show will have the opportunity to come into contact with important international guests, participate in activities within the show, get to know product companies We still have many new features to show, some of which will be shown exclusively to attendees.
DO YOU FEEL MORE LIKE A HAIRDRESSER OR AN ENTREPRENEUR?
I feel like a hairdresser. I love my job and for this reason, regardless of the size of the HC brand and the number of salons , I can enjoy spending my days working in the salon, in close contact with my clients and my team. Certainly over time and in proportion to the development of HC, I have found myself having to make choices and accepting other responsibilities. However, my goal, from the beginning of my career until today, has always been to make our method known.
Today HC has seven salons in Italy and 60 training weekends across Italy, Switzerland and Luxembourg. We have important partnerships with companies in the sector and we have the opportunity to participate in major industry events such as Cosmoprof Bologna, Alternative Hair Show and Salon International in London. This has benefitted my development and growth as an entrepreneur, as well as a hairdresser and has allowed me to build a team that can act on multiple fronts, from the salon, to administration and in communications. Both as a hairdresser and as an entrepreneur, I still have new ideas, a desire for growth and a desire to discover.
WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEND TO A YOUNG HAIRDRESSER STARTING OUT TODAY?
It is essential to be driven by passion and never lose the desire to learn. One way to achieve your goals is to commit yourself every day. Sacrifice and commitment always pay off. I’m sure that dedication can always lead to something unexpected and formidable. There is no secret formula for success. What I try to convey to my team, from the most experienced members to those starting a journey in this job, is to create empathy with customers, try to give the maximum within the salon and give value to the opportunities and possibilities that arise along the way. I have tried to create opportunities for my team, those who work daily within the salons have at the same time the opportunity to become trainers and show their skills in the training centres and to participate in international events.
WHY SHOULD A HAIRDRESSER PARTICIPATE IN YOUR WORKSHOPS?
Hair Visual Show is not just a training event, if I were a participant I would see the possibility of taking part in the show also as an opportunity for further my career. The reason is simple and is the same at the basis of the friendship born with Shi: we decided to share our work, to improve our techniques and to receive mutual advice. Hair Visual Show is developed precisely to show our work in a way that participants can take inspiration from – personalising it and and making it their own.
An added value is brought by the event’s partner companies: our teams have the opportunity to speak directly to the companies, to enjoy the advantages that this type of relationship entails, and we want to extend this possibility to all participants. The participation fee is deliberately low in relation to what’s on offer, so that everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Now we hear from Shi Parrucchieri, creator of Air Touch Milano and with almost a million followers on Tik Tok. One of the most well-known and admired hairstylists in all Italy, their training courses are always a sell out.
HOW DID THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN YOU AND ANDREA BOZZANO BEGIN?
It always makes me smile when I think about how quickly a bond has developed between our teams. Only a few years ago we were two perfect strangers, we had both seen and appreciated each other’s work but we had never had the chance to connect. One evening I receive a message on Instagram and Andrea complimented me on how I manage to convey the passion for my work. I could do no other than to return the compliment! Making our own comparisons, we discovered that our goals were common, as was our passion for our work. It would have been counterproductive to prevent our paths from taking the same direction.
Hair Visual Show was initially a training course. We didn’t really know how many people would have the desire to take part. When we decided to announce the 2023 Milan date via an Instagram live broadcast, in 24 hours we exceeded one hundred requests to participate. We already had a small venue, which we had to change to a larger space. At the same time, we talked about our idea to the companies we work with, who were enthusiastic in giving their support, recognising a real possibility to get in touch with their target audience. Today, Andrea and I are colleagues, friends and partners. We organise team-building opportunities for both our teams and in doing so our partnership becomes ever deeper.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY OF LAST YEAR’S HVS?
This is perhaps one of the most difficult questions to answer – from organisation to implementation there have always been exciting moments. We gave an interview to a television network, we styled 36 models over two days, we had the opportunity to give advice and listen to our colleagues who participated in the event. If I have to choose just one moment, I think it was when, at the end of the day, all the models paraded on the runway. The reason is unique: when we first created the show we didn’t know really what the reaction of our colleagues might be.
We were so proud – both of how the event itself and of its success. We were also proud of the great commitment and tenacity that our teams showed in creating the different looks with a whole range of exciting and impressive colour, cut and styling techniques. I am sure that we will be able to continue to excite and enhance during the weekends scheduled for 2024 and that we will be equally proud of our work this year.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MIGHT MOST INTEREST A YOUNG HAIRDRESSER TAKING THEIR FIRST STEP ON THE LADDER?
From my point of view, a young hairdresser must try to absorb as much as possible from those around them and to understand how to manage human relationships. They must know how to enhance their work and how to perform different types of services in the best way they can, as well as to express interest in developing technical and creative skills. At the beginning of a professional journey, as Andrea has already mentioned, it is important to always have the desire to learn and to know how to listen to those around you, trying to absorb any useful information from those who have more experience.
Every young person has different ideas and perspectives. Participating in training events such as the Hair Visual Show, getting involved in the salon and helping to achieve the result that customers desire. These activities all have one factor in common: they make it possible to see, know and start using a variety of techniques and styles that can train them as a professional and that can bring out their creativity and the ability to personalise their work.
WHAT IS THE FIRST WORD THAT COMES TO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR WORK?
Creativity! Whether I am in the salon or at the training centres, it is important to remember that our work is creative, we are fortunate to have the trust of customers and other professionals who entrust us with their hair, listen to our advice or learn the techniques we use every day in the salon.
Andrea and I have found the sharing of our creativity as a common point and this is what we want to propose within the salon, at the Hair Visual Show or within our training courses. In our industry, creativity is often associated solely with the creation of collections or the looks created for large fashion events or international stage shows, but often true artistic flair is achieved on a daily basis in the salon, by making clients delighted and guaranteeing that “wow” factor when they look in the mirror.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A HAIRDRESSER THINKING OF JOINING YOUR WORKSHOP?
This year our desire is to take the Hair Visual Show to the next level, we have received positive feedback from both participants and companies compared to last year’s event: even today many of the professionals who participated in the 2023 edition are asking about the new 2024 dates. I always reiterate that is not a just a stage show, you will see artistic looks that reflect the work you do in the salon. The AirTouch Milano and HC Salon artistic teams will present wearable looks and you will have the opportunity to see every step up close. All the looks will appear in front of you, you will have the opportunity to ask for further information on each step, the colour formulas used and all the creative aspects of the look as they evolve.
You will be free to wander around the training space – a location of more than 1000sqm which is where 5 platforms will showcase 10 presentations simultaneously. We will set up a dedicated backwash area to show you all the techniques and secrets of toning. You will feel in a familiar, professional and stimulating environment featuring two days of workshops with high-level international guests. And to make the event even more valuable, you can engage with the representatives from the top professional companies for each category. You will be able to speak directly with the companies to respond to your daily needs and find tailor-made solutions to your requirements. And it doesn’t end there! We have prepared numerous surprises for this year’s Hair Visual Show, making each day unique and creating real a sense of community in this sector.
GET IN TOUCH!
If you wish to participate in one of the four scheduled dates of Hair Visual Show 2024, get to know the members of the artistic team of HC Salon and AirTouchMilano and see colour, toning, cutting and styling techniques live, visit the website official Hair Visual Show: www.hairvisualshow.it
To receive more information on scheduled events, contact the event organisers on whatsapp: +393894455819