The recent Intercoiffure America Canada Atelier in Chicago included award programs recognizing beauty school talent and creativity and honoring beauty school instructors who have changed lives.

“Pivot Point is honored to partner with Intercoiffure America Canada,” says Robert Passage, chairman and CEO of Pivot Point International. “We are a third-generation, family business owned and run by licensed beauty professionals, and, as educators working with beauty school students and their instructors every day, we recognize their tremendous talent and passion. These competitions are critically important in sharing that passion and creativity with Intercoiffure salons and the larger beauty industry as a whole.”

Nouveau Student Contest

Modeled off ICA’s Nouveau program, the Student Contest recognizes outstanding beauty school students and their instructors.

Artistic directors from ICA and Pivot Point, including Pivot Point’s Product Experience Senior Manager, Jason Russell, helped judge the competition, themed “AI.” Students, with direction from their beauty school instructors, created a special-occasion hairstyle inspired by AI—including any combination of cut, color, and style—on Pivot Point’s elite showcase mannequins.

The four finalists and the winner all received a Pivot Point’s elite Michelle competition mannequin (valued at $436).

Finalists included:

Abiah Yeazel
Tennessee School of Beauty
Instructor: Amber Litzinger

Shelby Cole
Bellus Academy
Instructor: Samantha Bell

Aiden Wiet
HairLab Detroit
Instructor: Roderick Samuels

Anthony Garcia
The Studio Academy of Beauty
Instructor: Christina Meadows

This year’s Intercoiffure Nouveau Student winner was Kara Wattunen of Atelier Academy and her instructor, Amanda Hansen.

Both were brought to Chicago and honored onstage at the Atelier. They also observed Intercoiffure Nouveau’s Perry Monge backstage and received tickets to sit in the audience through the rest of the event.

“I loved pushing the boundaries of what creativity is to me and working on things I thought were challenging when I first started school,” said Wattunen. “Finger waves and textured hair always were daunting, so I was excited to take those on again.”

Hansen added, “As an instructor, support and growth is always my focus, so to be chosen to participate in that process on a scale of this magnitude was an absolute honor.

“I had so much fun being able to show Kara different natural texture styling and finishing techniques to enhance the detailing of her finished product. We also had a great time strategically setting up the photo, discussing everything from lighting to background and everything in between.”

Honor Your Teachers

ICA’s newest competition put the spotlight on the people who shape and mold the beauty industry at it’s core—teachers.

With 1600 entries from students who nominated their teachers, it was tough to narrow down the list of outstanding instructors.

“Students submitted beautiful stories about their teachers and how they have influenced their lives,” says Sheila Zaricor-Wilson, ICA president.

ICA judges winnowed 1600 entries down to 300, then to 100 before finally coming to five finalists who were flown into Chicago for the Atelier.

“We wanted them to experience the event so they can see how important it is to send their students to a salon rather than a suite to work,” says Zaricor-Wilson. “We also had a presentation during the event to introduce them to our membership.”

The five honored educators were:

Brian Cline, Aveda Institute Portland
Nominated by: Leela Shuler

Nita Boyles, Paul Mitchell School in Farmington Hills, Michigan
Nominated by: Breanna Blondo

Kasha Roberts, Austin Kade Academy in Idaho Falls, Idaho
Nominated by: Sami Tureman

Marie Bobair, International Institute of Cosmetology in Wethersfield, Connecticut
Nominated by: Martin Gugliotti

Shiri Tee, Designing Beauty Academy in Windsor, Colorado
Nominated by: Amber Boyd

Hand’s On Workshop

Pivot Point was also honored to participate in Intercoiffure’s Hand’s-On Class. Led by Jeremy Davis-Barbala, Creative Director at Az Craft Luxury Haircare and Intercoiffure’s Haircutting Council Director, the workshop featured Pivot Point’s Erika mannequin.

About Intercoiffure America Canada: Intercoiffure America Canada (ICA), is a prestigious association that welcomes talented, successful salon owners of high moral and ethical character to share friendship, knowledge, and creativity. It’s one of forty sections within the global organization Intercoiffure Mondial. Hairdressers from America and Canada are united through ICA, upholding fairness, equality, professionalism, and change for the better. Members of this organization strive to be the best they can be as salon owners, community leaders, influencers, and human beings who share the common connection of beautifying the world around them. For additional information, visit Intercoiffure.com.

About Pivot Point International: Pivot Point International, the driving force behind digital learning and development for hair and beauty education, has been pushing the industry forward for nearly 60 years. Focusing on unrivaled customer engagement and global impact, PIVOT POINT FOR ALL has always been the vision. Founded by Leo Passage in 1962, three generations of leadership have committed to doing what’s right, making a difference, and never compromising integrity, ethics or trust. Pivot Point proudly exhibits corporate responsibility through its ethical manufacturing and social accountability standards established in the production of its premium mannequins and educational tools. The company’s mission to challenge the status quo and fearlessly aim higher has inspired millions of learners, educators and professionals worldwide. Pivot Point’s learner-focused curriculum and educational tools can be found on six continents.