Leo Passage / Godfather Of Hairdressing

Leo Passage / Godfather Of Hairdressing / 1936-2011

The life of Leo Passage is an inspirational story and the kind of stuff that dreams are made of to boot. He came to America from the Netherlands with his young wife of one week and created a network of educational programs for beauty schools that today spans the globe. Leo’s career began at 17 when he was sent to apprentice with a family friend in Holland, where he worked five days a week. On weekends, he returned to Belgium and worked Saturdays and Sundays in his father’s barbershop. His father encouraged him to venture out and try new things. This led him to the world of “competitions hairdressing” where he won more than 95 competitions. He then set his sights on American with a two-year contract at a salon owned by a French expat in Evanston, IL.

With his unique hairdressing techniques and the help of two full-time assistants, in six months he was serving fifty clients a day__ what most hairdressers might do in a week. However Leo could not walk away from the competition hairdressing world and began teaching his competition techniques around the country. By 1959 Leo captured the coveted titles of World Supreme Champion as well as Hairdresser of the Year and became the youngest member of the U.S. Hairdressing Team in Paris, France. With his reputation as original, fresh thinking innovative hair stylist Leo was asked to represent professional product companies, at beauty conventions held in hotel ballrooms to standing room only hairdressers.

Armed with a passion for teaching Leo walked away from his salon business and opened what was to become known as the Pivot Point Beauty Academy on the north side of Chicago. Leo had a dream of creating a path to success for hairdressers by teaching students to see, think, create and adapt as a designer — not just duplicate the latest fashion trends — but to be the innovator of these trends. His Pivot Point system embraced not just (the how to_ but the why it works) and remove the guess work with a systematic scientific approach that produced predictable results every time. He defined this as the Pivot Point Difference.

Beauty school owners soon took notice and began asking him to implement the “Pivot Point Hairdressing System” in their beauty schools throughout the United States. Over the past half century Pivot Point International has become a global company creating high-quality cosmetology and esthetics educational programs used in schools around the world. It’s estimated that more than a million hairdresser’s have studied the Pivot Point System of hairdressing, including a number of the industry’s most influential giants, leaders and educators. Today and into the future, Pivot Point continues to drive the paradigm shift in education by offering the educational materials and programs to help empower the next generation of designers to succeed in the beauty industry. Whether you dream of working or owning a salon or spa — or heading for Hollywood, the fashion stages and even the competitive arena, Pivot Point provides the most comprehensive hair and skin care education in the U.S. and around the World!

In an industry that champion’s individuality, Leo was a giant whose humility was well known—always sharing with others without self-interest, and possessing a timeless, creative spirit as fresh on the last day as on the first. He truly lived his life to the fullest, and inspired everyone to follow your heart and your dreams. In 2008, the L.E.O. Award for “Leadership, Education and Outstanding” contributions to the hairdressing profession was created to annually acknowledge the best and the brightest in the industry in an awards ceremony at the annual beauty show held in Chicago. His legacy will continue to live on in all Pivot Point educators and graduates in the best salons, spas and companies in the world.

Natalie Wood / Star Hair Style

Drawing inspiration for the stars hair styles both past and present has become a national past time and Hollywood heart throb Natalie Wood is no exception. Natalie was one of the few child stars who made the successful transition from both teen and adult star. As a teenager she was a high school goddess, the one the boys all wanted and the girls imitated. Natalie was perfection: sophisticated, beautiful, elegant and approachable. Her classic bouncy bobbed and long face framing feminine hair styles set the hair style trend throughout the 60’s and is perfect for today’s care free lifestyles. What’s old is new again___ a trend to watch.

If you’re looking to trade in your long tired looking locks for a understate ultra sexy feminine hair style take a styling lesson from Natalie Wood and watch head turn when you show up with this simple classic look. To get the look let’s take it one step at a time, starting with style cut and styling.

LET’S SHAPE IT:  Natalie’s style cut starts with a just off the shoulders layered and contoured silhouette for volume with side swept brow brushing bangs. This classic “time saving style”’ suits all age groups, face shapes and ideal for straight and wavy hair. With a few adjustments (trims as it grows) you can easily find the ideal length and shape for your hair, face shape and personal style.

Natalie’s classic understated hair style is loaded with sex appeal and is sure to get rave reviews. The shapely ultra feminine silhouette with side swept "brow brushing peek-a-boo" bangs gives it an alluring look. For the time challenged this classic shape almost styles itself. A quick tousle with a blow dryer and styling brush or a few twists around a styling iron and you’re ready for any occasion. You'll leave the salon signing, I feel Pretty__Oh so Pretty and Perky as well. And your girl friends are sure to be green with envy when they see all the men making a fuss over you and your new Natalie do’.

Oprah Winfrey / Star Hair Style

Drawing inspiration from the hair style trends of our favorite stars and celebrities has become a national pass time. And none has had more influence on women’s hair styles than Oprah Winfrey. While she is best known as a TV host and producer, Oprah rarely shies away from trying something new, particularly when it comes to her beauty styling. And while she may have had some bumps along the way (really, who hasn't?), no matter how she has looked, Oprah has always stayed true to herself. Oprah may be known as the Queen of All Media but is just as famous for her ever-changing trend setting hairstyles. From curls to short bobs and bouffant styles, the talk show titan continuously keeps her fans guessing. Let’s take a peek back at her most memorable beauty looks over the years.

1986 Oprah Winfrey sports this short shag to the 43rd Annual Golden Globe Awards. It was all about volume for the soon-to-be-larger-than-life star. 1990 At a formal affair for the American All-Star Tribute she mixes it up with a French twist and layered bang. 1995 Having established her media dominance, Winfrey takes her look to a new sophisticated level. 1998 Oprah debuts her now trademark curls at the 24th Annual People’s Choice Awards. 1999 At the National Book Awards in New York City, Winfrey’s soft body and shake-ability style sets the tone for how many Black women want to wear their hair.

2002 With no-fuss cornrows, Winfrey concentrates on the kids while distributing Christmas gifts to underprivileged school children in the rural town of Harding, South Africa. 2004 As a media personality, Oprah keeps her appearance fresh with these soft, flowing curls at the Sesame Workshop’s Second Annual Benefit Gala. 2005 You know it’s a special occasion when she rocks with spiraling curls at the Broadway opening of “The Color Purple.” 2006 One of her favorite looks is seen at the TNT Black Movie Awards where she dons a soft half up, half down wavy style. 2006 Winfrey is honored at the New York Public Library’s Annual Library Lions Gala where she sports an elegant up-do that looks regal with her subtle highlights. 2009 For those who think that Oprah wears extensions for extra length, you better think again! Here she shows off her long hair in a natural soft blow dry style.

The hairdresser behind the magic__ it all started in 1985 when Andre Walker a Chicago salon owner saw Oprah’s new talk show “AM Chicago” and sent her a note, simply stating “I’m dying to get my hands on your hair”. Back then it was just Oprah, one publicist, and one producer, recalls Walker. The bold declaration earned him a tryout, and three years later, he was working with Oprah full-time. After decades of styling, Oprah says, Andre is "why I still have my hair." For her 50th birthday, Andre created a short, choppy look with a bit of a flip which is one of her favorite hair styles. Lately, he’s been doing ponytails with a little height on the top to stretch the time between blow dries.

To keep Oprah’s locks lush and beautiful on a regular basis, Walker avoids using blow dryers or irons on her hair more than three times per week and recommends pin curling or roller setting in between. His cardinal hair care rule is to keep the hair clean to avoid styling aid build-up and (condition, condition, condition), whether you think you need it or not. He recommends using a conditioner every time you shampoo, and a thick hair mask treatment once a week to help repair dry ends and add shine. He also will not do “two chemical treatments” at once. If I'm using a relaxer I don't color directly after. His secret for giving Oprah's hair styles a dazzling shine is to mix “equal parts” of his curl enhancing lotion and leave in conditioner with a few drops of his Q Oil shine serum combed through her wet hair.

Andre Walker is a seven-time Emmy winner and author of a beauty book “Andre Talks Hair” and has been Oprah Winfrey's personal hair stylist for the past 25 years. He also created the popular short sculptured “Halley Berry Style” and believes that all women, no matter their hair type or texture, need to make peace with their hair. He recently launched his own line of products sold on the Home Shopping Network designed for all hair types to help promote overall health, manageability and shine. Andre’s beauty products are available at www.andrewalkerhair.com