MIG TRAINING 2019 HAIR EXPO FINALIST

MIG TRAINING 2019 HAIR EXPO FINALIST

Fat Boy Slim says We’ve come a long long way together…and we couldn’t agree more! 2019 has been a huge year for MIG Training already, with an abundant library of new training resources and videos, the launch of THE CRAFT teacher training program and so much more.

But the icing on the cake so far has definitely been opening up the package that contained the chocolate golden ticket from Hair Expo to announce that MIG Training was a finalist in the Education Business of the Year category at this year’s Hair Expo awards! It’s a real compliment to all of us at MIG that what we are doing is being recognised by the industry and esteem judging panel as progressive and market relevant and that we are helping to shift the education goal posts in a positive way.

We are honoured to be in the presence of our fellow finalists – Sharon Blain Education, Barbery the Craft of a Barber, Box Hill Institute and DCI Education – and whilst we’d LOVE to win this amazing accolade, we would like to wish all of the entrants the best of luck of Monday 10thJune on Awards night.

Reaching a milestone like this is not the work of one person; it’s a small army in fact. A huge thank you to the MIG team, every day you go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of our students and salon partners.

To our salon clients, well we wouldn’t be here without your support. We relish working with each and every one of you, many of whom we’ve had relationships with for several years, even decades in some cases. Thank you for entrusting your teams with us and we hope to continue to carve out unique training paths for you and contribute to the success of your businesses.

And to our amazing students, thank you for inspiring and challenging us each day. Just as we teach you, we also learn from you, and your feedback and successes provide us with the knowledge required to keep improving our systems and the way MIG delivers education. Some of our former apprentices are now salon owners themselves and continue the MIG training cycle, which is pretty special too.

So to everyone who has been a part of our journey, heartfelt thanks from Team MIG – cross your fingers for us on the 10th of June!

MIG STUDENT PROFILE – DEANA STAVROU

MIG STUDENT PROFILE – DEANA STAVROU

Growth in the barbering sector is on an upward trajectory. Since the release of the Certificate III in Barbering, more and more students are registering their interest to be educated in the realm of men’s hair. MIG Journal caught up with recent one of our recent Cert III barbering graduates, Deana Stavrou from Mr Snippets in Clayfield, and asked her what it’s like being a female in a traditionally male arena.

Influenced by her barber brother, Deana decided to step out of the beauty industry and undertake a barbering certificate at MIG Training last year. “I was looking for a change in career and barbering seemed like a fun and exciting industry to be a part of,” she tells. “I really enjoyed learning new skills and the whole environment at Matters in Gray. The teachers and students were always a pleasure to be around and everyone is just super supportive.”

So what’s it like working in a field being mostly surrounded by men? “Having worked in the beauty industry prior to starting barbering, I went from a predominantly female industry to the complete opposite,” Deana laughs. “I love working with men, as the more relaxed vibe makes for a pleasant day’s work. Whilst I guess being in a male-based industry does have its challenges, any preconceived ideas people may have of my ability based on my gender are pretty quickly squashed after I’m done with their hair. I haven’t had an unhappy customer yet!”

Deana says that working alongside her brother at Mr Snippets is a big bonus and together they plan to grow grow the business, as well as travel overseas to improve her skills. “Mr Snippets is an awesome place to work, and being with Geordie makes it all the more enjoyable, as the banter is always in full swing. We’re all about providing exceptional service, quality cuts and a good time for everyone that walks through our doors. We aim to keep the shop personable with a modern vibe…it’s a great place to put in a hard day’s work.”

So what’s Deana’s favourite barbering style? “I love doing scissor cuts and swept back styles. Something about having scissors in my hand makes me feel more legit. Whilst a lot of barbering relies heavily on clippers, it’s nice to get back to the basics occasionally. I also love following the work of some of the industry’s best barbers – obviously my brother Geordie, but also a few rad barbers and brands on Instagram like @Trebonds, @wolfmanbarber and of course @Barebonesoriginal.

There’s no doubting that Deana has a real passion for her newfound career, and by the looks of some of her work, she is indeed a star in the making. We asked Deana if she would recommend barbering to other young people, including females, to consider as a potential career?

“Absolutely!” she enthuses. “As long as people are willing to learn and work hard, barbering is a fantastic community to be a part of. You get to meet heaps of interesting people and there is never a dull moment. Being a creative industry, most people are pretty open-minded, so everyone can feel welcome to join.

“And when it comes to barber training, MIG is an excellent training organisation. The teachers and staff are super hands-on and always willing to share their knowledge and experiences. The College itself is phenomenal, with everything you’d need to learn and strengthen your skills provided for you. Highly recommended!”

MEET THE TEACHER…MANDY GOODYEAR

MEET THE TEACHER…MANDY GOODYEAR

After winning an art competition that was judged by British hairdressing icon Vidal Sassoon in London, Mandy was offered an apprenticeship with the great man himself! How’s that for a sterling career start? From that moment Mandy was hooked on hairdressing and has a phenomenal 35 years of experience under her belt, including two decades owning and managing salons.

Eight years ago Mandy joined the MIG Training education team and her goals are always to inspire and excite young hairdressers to be the best. Seriously, is there anything this woman doesn’t know about cutting hair? We doubt it to be honest, so we asked her to divulge a few other secrets instead.

Let’s get up close and personal with Leanne, shall we?

Star sign? Taurus

How would your co-workers describe you? Blunt and a little too honest sometimes.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Try not to take things too personally.

Celebrity crush? Slash and Russell Brand

 

What part of your job would people find most surprising? I think they would be surprised that considering the type of students I teach (disengaged youth), that I learn things from them on a regular basis about how to be a better human being.

 

What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired? Go on a holiday

 

Fave food & beverage? Chocolate and coffee

 

Describe your best weekend. Either relaxing doing nothing or a music festival

 

Career highlight? I have one every year, seeing my students finally succeeding at something and graduating!

 

Hair hero? Vidal Sassoon

The era you wish you’d been born in? The mid to late 40s because I would have been a teenager in the 60s for the beehives, mini dresses and the Beatles!

If you could invite any three people to a dinner party, who would they be? Lady Gaga, John Edwards and Prince Harry

What do you love about working at MIG? Everything (except marking)

Fave Netflix binge? At the moment, The Good Place

Last supper? That would be a long list of desserts

What makes you laugh? People falling over. I try not to laugh but I can’t stop myself! 

In five years I’ll be….Older. And still working at MIG!

TO CELEBRATE OUR SHINY NEW DIGS…MIG HAD A PARTY!

TO CELEBRATE OUR SHINY NEW DIGS…MIG HAD A PARTY!

In 2018 we celebrate six decades in the hairdressing industry and 27 years in business as Matters in Gray Training Organisation…so we figured the MIG H/O was long overdue for a makeover. After months of building work and el capitano Anthony clocking up frequent flyer miles at Bunnings, in September we revealed the shiny new digs to our team, clients and friends!
The renovation of our premises at Upper Mount Gravatt was a complete overhaul that included meeting rooms, breakout and study spaces feeding two large training studios that support the barber and hairdresser education. The biggest wow factor is the new state-of-the-art salon and barber shop, with large street frontage to attract a vibrant and contemporary client base for the emerging apprentices and students at MIG to work with. “The team love coming to work every day in our new stylish, contemporary space that inspires our students, complete with the latest technology to support flexible learning,” Anthony tells. “We are now also able to offer MIG as a community space that can be used by suppliers, educators and salons to hold events.
To celebrate the beautiful new space, around 100 of our friends and clients joined us on Monday 17 September, with an amazing grazing table and bubbles all round. Guests were a mix of salons owners, suppliers, government representatives and industry partners.  We also engaged trainees from Training Direct Australia as our hospitality staff for the event. It was a great night indeed!
During a speech to guests at the soiree, Anthony recapped the principles of MIG.

Our philosophy has always centred around the values of passion, commitment and ethics and we work hard to create long-term relationships with our salon clients,” he said. “MIG Training is proud to deliver tailored apprenticeship training to 320 salons across Queensland and Tasmania. We currently train 490 apprentices and students and proudly graduated 110 hairdressers and barbers in the last 12 months. Many of our salon owners were trained by us as apprentices and now send their own staff to MIG for education. The college remodelling is just the next step in building an industry space and education provider the industry can be proud of. I’d like to personally thank our families, team and salon clients for supporting us throughout this amazing journey and we look forward to working with you all for the next 27 years!”

CLICK HERE to see all the photos from the MIG Launch Party.

MIG’S MADDISON POWER FROM ELLA&JADE – “APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR” FINALIST HAIR EXPO 2018

MIG’S MADDISON POWER FROM ELLA&JADE – “APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR” FINALIST HAIR EXPO 2018

As the old saying goes, “you’ve got to be in it to win it”…and it’s exactly the mantra that inspired MIG apprentice Maddison Power from Ella&Jade salon to enter the Hair Expo 2018 Awards. When Maddison was announced as a finalist in this fiercely contested awards category, she couldn’t have been happier, and it opened some amazing opportunities for the young stylist to begin carving her path out in the hair industry.

Team MIG are like proud parents when our apprentices achieve success, so we caught up with Maddison to find out about her Hair Expo Awards journey and how training at Matters in Gray has supported her along the way.

When did you know you wanted to pursue hairdressing?

From a young age I always loved playing with hair and learning new ways to style my hair for school, but it wasn’t until I was almost finished school that I really figured out hairdressing was a genuine pathway I wanted to pursue. My career in hairdressing so far has already been full of so many amazing experiences; I cannot wait to see what the future holds!

Tell us about your salon and how you came about training at Matters in Gray.

My hair salon Ella&Jade is nestled in the quiet suburban streets of Calamvale, south east of Brisbane. Ella&Jade apprentices have been attending and training at Matters in Gray now for more than 10 years, so I was able to follow in the footsteps of the amazing hairdressers I now work with, who were lucky enough to train at MIG during their own apprenticeships.

What have you enjoyed about your MIG education journey?

I enjoyed that going to college and learning was so simplistic. There was no stress and all the trainers are willing to help and guide you in any way they can. I love that MIG works so closely with Ella&Jade, and the training can really be tailored to suit the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all mentality. As well as this, everyone at the College is there for the reason of learning, so the environment is always positive and vibrant. There’s the element of bonding and encouragement from the other students too that make it a lot of fun.

Congratulations on reaching the finals of the Hair Expo 2018 Awards for ‘Apprentice of the Year’! Can you tell us about your experience?

I don’t think I was really ready to hear my name get called out for the finals of Hair Expo Apprentice of the Year. When they said ‘Maddison Power’, my stomach dropped and I felt such a big sense of accomplishment! I really loved working with the other apprentice finalists for the Australian Hairdressing Council’s Youthworx show on the Main Stage at Hair Expo. Being able to present a look from my collection with other upcoming stylists in front of many industry professionals was so surreal.

What did you learn whilst training at MIG that you use most in your salon?

One of the things that I took from Matters In Gray that I always use in the salon is the acknowledgement that you never stop learning. There are always so many ways you are able to achieve something, so as long as you surround yourself with people that push you and support you, your learning will always continue to grow. This is really important in my journey to try and be the best hairdresser I can possibly be.

5 MINUTES WITH BRODIE-LEE STUBBINS

5 MINUTES WITH BRODIE-LEE STUBBINS

In hair circles, unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of years you would be familiar with the upward trajectory of pint-sized pocket rocket Brodie-Lee Stubbins and her salon Rokstar in Brisbane’s cool West End. Apart from her beautiful work, amazing collections and multitude of awards, including recently being crowned Hair Expo 2018 QLD Hairdresser of the Year, Brodie has turned the tables on the bad rep that Gen Y stylists often get by cultivating a culture that embraces their strengths and provides a unique and solid foundation for business and career growth. Here Brodie shares her hairdressing journey with MIG…

MIG: Did you always want to be a hairdresser?

BLS: It was always my dream to be either a hairdresser or a ballerina. I started hairdressing when I was only 13. I begged a local hair salon in my country town to give me a go and would you believe no one thought I was serious! I volunteered for such a long time after school and Saturdays before gaining an apprenticeship, then I was on my way

MIG: What have been some challenges you have had to face on your hairdressing journey? Did you ever think of quitting?

BLS: I’m very goal oriented and a forward thinker; it’s my personality. I was always told I was “too driven” or that my dreams were too big. Coming from a country town rather than a big name salon, not a lot of people believed in me, but the most important thing was that I believed in myself. I purchased my first salon at 18 and three salons later started Rokstar, building my dream salon from scratch. Not long after my journey began with Rokstar, my dad was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer. We are an extremely close family, so this was definitely a tough time. I was building a new salon, selling one, plus rebranding all at the same time. When dad passed it was incredibly hard. Sadly he never got to see Rokstar finished, but while he was sick I would spend all my time designing the look of the salon and telling him about it from his bedside. Despite all the challenges, I have never wanted to quit. It’s just not in my nature.

MIG: Despite the flack that Gen Y often cops, you have embraced it and made it the backbone of your business. How did that come about?

BLS: Part of my vision for Rokstar was employing and growing a team of likeminded hairdressers who wanted to be a part of the culture I was creating. Finding the right people isn’t easy and it takes time, but I’m proud of what I have created and the team we have. I’m passionate about helping Gen Y and stylists achieve their goals, particularly through training them to be time efficient on the salon floor and having a wide range of skills, techniques and tricks so they can confidently deliver on trend ‘IT Girl Hair’, which is incredibly in demand and a huge part of our business.

MIG: You have a unique brand in Rokstar – how do you present your business to the consumer?

BLS: Rokstar is all about our clients. We pride ourselves on customer service and making everybody who walks in the door feel special. We are very strong on culture and brand awareness and we are so lucky that word of mouth is our success story. I’d describe our creative handwriting as on trend and a little unique, but at the end of the day, we do beautiful hair and we are consistent.

MIG: Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

BLS: ‘Tomorrow is a new day, There’s no point worrying, it will always work out in the end.’  I tell myself this a lot; I try not to sweat the small stuff.

MIG: You’ve had great success over the past few years winning many industry awards. Was it a strategy of yours to be very visible in the awards arena?

BLS: I didn’t have a strategy for the awards, I just wanted to put Rokstar on the radar and show what I love to do. By creating amazing work that I was proud of, I hoped to get noticed and inspire others.

MIG: On that note, what inspires you creatively?

BLS: Anything and everything. I draw inspiration from things I see everyday, from fashion to nature to architecture, whatever is all around me.

MIG: Who are your favourite style stars and hair industry heroes?

BLS: Alexa Chung, Kate Moss and Bec Judd…I love their style. When it comes to hair industry heroes there are way too many to name, but Guido Palau, Eugene Souleiman and Angelo Seminara are my biggest international faves.

MIG: What do you like to do outside of hairdressing?

BLS: I love to dance, Barre and Pilates are my faves. Sweating out in a good dance session feeds my soul, and the ballet barre is the one place I switch off. I also love my home. I have a massive passion for interiors and like to relax at home with my fur babies and my husband Bill. I enjoy reading anything on psychology…the brain and business really interests me. Other than that, my fave thing to do is be in the sun by a pool or the beach.

MIG: What advice would you give to young people who look up to you in the industry?

BLS: My advice is work hard and don’t give up. Stay back without being asked, volunteer your time to show initiative and give it your all. Success doesn’t happen overnight – it’s bloody hard work – but if you work at it every day, the journey is magical.

MIG: Where do you see yourself in five years time?

BLS: Still at Rokstar #KILLINGIT!

RIXON HAIR TAKE OUT BEST SALON DESIGN 2018

RIXON HAIR TAKE OUT BEST SALON DESIGN 2018

The Hair Expo Awards ‘Salon Design of the Year’ category is always fiercely contended, now more than ever. Unlike the sterile white shiny fitouts that were popular years back, salon aesthetics these days are as diverse as the attendees of a United Nations conference. Industrial, boho, hi-tech or eco-inspired, whatever your design preference, there is sure to be a stunning salon to suit your mood.

So amongst some pretty (stunning actually) tough competition this year, Team MIG were thrilled to congratulate our long term clients Rixon Hair for taking out the Best Salon Design 2018 award at Hair Expo back in June. We caught up with owner Sharon Rixon to find out about the journey from old salon to this sparkling new ‘award winning’ one…and how she and husband Brad felt when their name was called out on Awards night.

“We decided to embark on a new build for the salon because we literally were falling over each other,” Sharon tells. “We desperately needed more room, plus it was also a chance to rebrand and refresh. We wanted a flexible, creative space that had an unpretentious feel of luxury. ‘Somewhere you could picture yourself living in’ was the creative brief for our building designer.”

Situated in Edward Street, Brisbane, the salon is located within a heritage building, which provided both challenges and surprises along the way. Despite the restrictions placed on any heritage build, Sharon says the demolition process actually unveiled many beautiful original features that had previously been hidden. “Having to crane larger items into the building was a challenge,” she adds, “plus working in a tight time frame – being ready a week before Christmas – was also pretty stressful.”

When asked if the project came in at budget, Sharon’s response says it all: “Not by a long shot!” But it seems as though the journey was worth it in the end. The beautiful salon has many ‘wow’ elements – glistening dusty pink floors, sand blasted brick walls, oversized custom framed styling mirrors, a large bespoke colour area with open colour bar and table…the list goes on and on. “We had so many changes along the way,” Sharon says, “but honestly, we love it so much we wouldn’t change a thing. I think my favourite part is the indescribable feeling of calm the 280m2 space gives. Oh, and the pink floors of course!”

Sharon’s advice for salon owners considering a new build for their beloved business? “Align yourself with the best possible people, especially a great architect/builder, and make them understand your brand and aesthetic. Also, set a budget and then double it!”

Winning the Hair Expo Best Salon Design Award was pretty much the icing on the cake for the Rixon team, who were simultaneously shocked and excited to hear their name announced at the Hair Expo Awards. “Brad and I both choked on our dinner!” she laughs, “then we had to think of a speech super quickly. We were so thrilled to win!”

Congratulations Rixon Hair on such great results!

MEET THE TEACHER…MANDY GOODYEAR

MEET THE TEACHER…LEANNE BEASLEY

This month we’d like to introduce you to one of MIG’s favourite teachers, Leanne Beasley. Launching into hairdressing at 16, Leanne’s widespread experience in the industry includes extended periods as a salon manager and owner. Being an important member of our RTO as an educator for 14 years, Leanne’s role at MIG entails not only apprenticeship training, but also developing relationships with a broad scope of salons and their owners.

Leanne loves connecting with her salon clients each week and seeing new products, services and techniques. She says she finds advising and assisting salons to develop and improve in-salon training systems “incredibly rewarding”.

Let’s get up close and personal with Leanne, shall we?

Star sign? Libra

How would your co-workers describe you? Reliable, organised, loyal, calm.

What part of your job would people find most surprising? That we train and assess students in salons, not just at the College.

Celebrity crush? Tom Hiddleston

Your best weekend? North Straddie

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Follow your heart…but take your brain with you!

Fave Netflix binge? So far The Crown

The era you wish you’d been born in? My era! I was born in the 60s and I think growing up in the 70s was the best – great music, muscle cars, centre parts with flicked out hair, the Brady Bunch, surfie boys and lots of carbs!

Hair hero? This is hard…but I’m going to say my past employer/trainer Beverley Patterson. Still working, travelling the world and absolutely passionate about hairdressing!

I’m obsessed by… everything being in its place!

What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired? Listen to music, see or do something creative.

Last supper? French cheese and French champagne

Worst hair faux pas? Pretty much all of the 80s lol

If you could invite any three people to a dinner party, who would they be? Frances McDormand, Meghan and Harry

Fave pet? My big Tabby Boy (cat)

What will you be doing on your birthday? Camping and eating birthday cake I hope!

Fave song to carve up the dance floor? Anything from my Redfoo playlist

What do you love about working at MIG? Visiting my students and employers, being in the salons feeling the salon vibe….and seeing my students progress.

In five years I’ll be…. hmmm, Bali is always a good idea!

MIG’s 2018 SHORT COURSES CONTINUE WITH MIKEY FORSTER’S CREATIVE COLOUR

MIG’s 2018 SHORT COURSES CONTINUE WITH MIKEY FORSTER’S CREATIVE COLOUR

Horse Meat Disco might be the name of one of the UK’s finest disco DJ groups, but it’s also one of Brisbane’s coolest hair salons. And the team at MIG are thrilled to host Disco chief Mikey Forster on Monday 9 July 2018 for a colour workshop that will blow your mind. All the IT girls in town froth about this salon’s high end Insta-worthy colour work, so this is a rare opportunity to learn from the master himself how to achieve the Horse Meat Disco Salon signature looks with a combo of foiling and freehand colour techniques.

 

Sounds awesome right? We think so. But what makes it even better is that Mikey is a super nice guy who makes it his priority to ensure all of his students get the best learning experience possible. “Everyone attending this class will take away colour formulas, product choices, innovative techniques and placement and they can feel entirely comfortable asking me any questions and picking my brains,” Mikey says. “I like a relaxed learning environment so everyone is comfortable and I can accommodate all attendees.”

So what are you waiting for? Book now to avoid dissapoinment.

 

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY EPIC HAIR DESIGNS

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY EPIC HAIR DESIGNS

Celebrating 10 years in operation is a significant milestone for any salon. But when you’ve got not one but 12 salons (and another on the way), then it’s definitely party time! That’s exactly where MIG client Epic Hair Designs sits in 2018, one of the country’s largest privately owned salon groups and a flourishing spoke in Brisbane’s colourful hairdressing wheel.

The Epic Hair Design tagline is ‘Brisbane’s most trusted hairdressing group’. And there’s sure to be some element of truth in that claim, because the growth of the group over the last few years has been, well, epic to say the least. Not only is the team celebrating a decade in business in 2018, they are about to launch location #13 in Brisbane’s swish Ascot postcode, which will also be home to a brand new head office along with a state-of-the-art training facility.

We asked Epic boss Brendon Mann about his secret to success and longevity…and it seems accessibility plays a key factor. “Epic Hair Designs is synonymous with beautiful hair and a unique salon experience, offering luxury services at affordable prices,” he says. “The salons each boast a stylish interior design, with open and airy layouts complemented by custom crystal lighting and luxurious massage chairs. Having 12 locations means that an Epic salon is never too far away from wherever you are in Brisbane. Our team of 90+ stylists is close knit and proud to work under the Epic brand; our focus on training is what keeps our staff passionate and helps them thrive.”

Training is a huge part of the Epic DNA, so it’s little wonder that the team are super excited about the company’s new Ascot training facility opening soon. “It really means our level of service will be second to none,” Brendan continues. ‘What sets Epic apart from competitors is that we are specialists in all aspects of hair services.

Our target market is primarily women, from young females who keep up with the latest fashion trends to our weekly blow dry clients who keep coming back to Epic because they love what we do. We are masters in colour as well as blondes and balayage; we offer men’s services including cutting and colouring, and we also provide high quality hair extensions by Showpony Australia. So as you can imagine, education is a top priority for the team. Our highly trained stylists are the hard-working backbone to our success.

So how do you keep a team of 90+ motivated and happy?

“To manage our ever growing team and to avoid disparity, we ensure our stylists are highly trained and communicate daily via our private social media and HR applications. We also make certain our team stays social by organising multiple social events and awards nights throughout the year to keep them positive and inspired.”

At Matters in Gray we love working with likeminded clients who place education at the top of their priority list. So what is it about MIG and the service it provides to Epic Hair Designs as a salon client that Brendan likes most?

“A personalised approach to the training of our apprentices,” he replies. “We have found MIG to be extremely professional and a industry leader when it comes to training our future hairdressers. Their structure through to the curriculum of training they provide for our apprentices has been the most efficient and effective we have been able to find.

“Consistency in the way MIG approaches education, while being able to cater to different peoples’ learning styles is also a big plus. The teachers at MIG really care about the success of their students.

“Our apprentices enjoy going to college and find the learning environment to be positive and motivational. That works for us!”

Congratulations on reaching the BIG-ONE-O Epic Hair Designs…here’s to another decade!

https://epichairdesigns.com.au/

MEET THE TEACHER…MANDY GOODYEAR

MEET THE TEACHER…JENELLE ARNOTT

In previous MIG Journal editions we’ve introduced you to some of our newest educators on the Matters in Gray team…so we thought it pertinent to wind back the clock and focus on MIG’s most longstanding team member this time, the wonderful Jenelle Arnott, who has been a member of the Gray family long before MIG even existed.

College Trainer (Workplace), Jenelle commenced her hairdressing career 43 years ago in the era of French rolls, barrel curls, perms, pageboy haircuts, beehives and chignons. We call her the foundations queen!

Jenelle’s hairdressing journey included managing a small chain of Brisbane salons and working for Rod Gray Sr prior to joining Matters in Gray 25 years ago as a trainer. For the past nine years she has held the role of Apprentice Coordinator and personally undertakes many hairdressing courses to keep abreast of industry trends, including a recently completed Master Colour program.

Want to learn a little more about Jenelle? Here are a few tidbits to keep you in the loop…

Star sign? Sagittarius

Describe yourself in 3 emojis…I have no idea what emojis would describe me!

Okay, well how would your co-workers describe you? They’d probably say that I talk a lot and that I’m the office pen thief. I am known for taking people’s pens and forgetting to return them.

Celebrity crush? Richard Gere

Fave food & bev? My mum’s cooking and red wine. Being Italian, her food is still amazing at 84!

Hair heroes? Jules and Benni Tognini

Best weekend? Going away and be totally pampered.

Career highlight? Seeing my apprentices complete their apprenticeship, and because I have being doing it for a while, then seeing them have their own business or managing salons and being asked to train their apprentices.

Era you wished you’d been born in? I am happy that I was born in the 50s. I’ve been able to experience things that this generation will never experience and doing all aspects of fabulous hairdressing.

Obsession? Ice cream

Fave pet? Cats

What part of your job would people find most surprising? The amount of kilometres I drive in a week.

Worst hair faux pas? Long mohawk

What makes you sad? Watching the news and seeing how children in other countries are suffering.

Last supper? Crabs and prawns with Boy George, Nicole Kidman and of course, Richard Gere (who would sit next to me!)

SUSTAINABLE SALONS AUSTRALIA + MIG…ONE YEAR ON AND GOING STRONG

SUSTAINABLE SALONS AUSTRALIA + MIG…ONE YEAR ON AND GOING STRONG

It’s been just over a year since Matters in Gray partnered with Sustainable Salons Australia (SSA)…and we’ve loved every minute of it!

“MIG has a very collaborative relationship with SSA,” says Anthony Gray. “The ease of the relationship stems from the fact we share similar feelings on education and growing our industry. For Paul, Ewelina and the SSA team, the education of young hairdressers in sustainability is the way to a better future, so engaging with RTOs like ourselves to spread the sustainability message is core to who they are.

‘MIG’s trainers feel part of the solution and through SSA are able to model best practise for the salons and emerging stylists we work with. Being a sustainable salon, above all else, empowers our students to take the sustainability message back to their salons and industry colleagues. We are pretty proud to be working with such a great group of people who are making real change.” 

We caught up with the undisputed king of curls and SSA boss man Paul Frasca about the importance of working with RTOs and what projects SSA has coming up next.

MIG: How many RTOs and colleges do you partner with?

PF: We work with many RTOs across all states and we have more than 20 on our program around Australia. 

MIG: What kinds of initiatives do you work on together with RTOs and colleges?

PF: There are a number of different projects and events. One of the key ones is working with colleges and local girls high schools, such as the one we did with Matters in Gray last year at Redeemer Lutheran College in Brisbane. A number of students agreed to cut off their ponytails so they could be donated to children with alopecia and cancer and raised sponsorship money for doing so. MIG provided the hairdressers and students and we provided the recycling and distribution services for the hair. These are great events with a lot of heart and the schools really get behind them. Why these fundraisers are so important is that this type of hair – from girls between the ages of 14 and 18 – is the highest quality of hair needed for wig making. And 95% of it is uncoloured, making it very valuable.

MIG: What are some of the ways that MIG is becoming more sustainable?

PF: At the moment, we are helping the MIG team recycle a lot of their unwanted materials. For example, Anthony has lots of boxes full of papers from years of overload and doesn’t really know what to do with it all. We can deal with that through our program. We sell off that paper and all proceeds go to OzHarvest to feed the homeless. We also recycle any dolls heads from the college. We give them to charities such as Hair Aid, which uses the dolls heads for training, or we send them to art groups for use in art projects.

MIG: What are your objectives working specifically with RTOs?

PF: Ensuring they have our service running inside their RTO is number one. It links really well with the unit called ‘Participating in Environmental Practises’, which is a compulsory unit for students undertaking a Certificate III in Hairdressing, so they can see in real life what it’s like to do this type of recycling inside their environment. On top of that, it’s also now keeping RTOs at the forefront of sustainability prior to these students going out into the workforce. At work these days, all they hear about is ‘green this, sustainability that’. So making sure schools are at the forefront and covering it first before the students go out into the workplace really helps them get a clear understanding of what it actually means to be properly sustainable…because we all know that out in the consumer world there are so many mixed messages. The most important place to learn about sustainability has to be at school level.

Working with RTOs is also great networking for SSA because our message filters down to the salon clients that the RTOs deal with. When a student sees what we do inside a school, they quickly ask the question back in their salon, ‘why are we not doing this?’

 

MIG: What are some of the other initiatives you are doing with different RTOs around the country?

PF: Recently we had students from a Brisbane college make recycled table centrepieces for the Australian Hair Industry Awards from old HairBiz magazines. That was a creative project and lots of fun. At TAFE South Australia, we have a bus called Priscilla that goes out monthly to different shelters to give haircuts, so we get the students to come along and help out and be part of the whole experience of giving back to the community. It’s a really exciting project.

MIG: We hear you’ll have a big presence at Hair Expo this year?

PF: Yes it’s a huge initiative with Hair Expo. We are actually partnering with them for the next four years, working together to make Hair Expo a sustainable event by 2020. It’s about getting everyone really focused about little things that have a big impact on the environment, like disposable coffee cups and plastic water bottles. More than 20,000 cups of coffee will be consumed at Hair Expo over the three-day period and in excess of 20,000 bottles of water. Instead of all that rubbish going into landfill, we can now divert it. On top of that, we are looking at all the waste going in and out of Expo during the bump in and out. We are building some strong initiatives for the following year, so there’s a lot to come in that space.

MEET THE TEACHER…MANDY GOODYEAR

MEET THE TEACHER…INTRODUCING DAVIDE D’ANNUNZIO

With the barbering industry on a steep upward rise, the demand for barber training is growing fast, so to keep up with demand we’ve been searching for another stellar barber to join the MIG education team…and we’ve found someone amazing!

Please join us in welcoming Davide D’Annunzio, who along with Fiona Ryan is one of the newest educators at Matters in Gray College.

With a rich ancestry of barbers in the D’Annunzio family dating back to his great grandfather, you could says that barbering is in Davide’s blood. One of his key strengths is being able to envision and create the ‘look’ that clients often struggle to express. Accompanying his listening skills is a mastery of scissors; in fact Davide prides himself on creating contemporary, clean cuts using only scissors as his tool.

Davide’s passion for barbering intertwines with his love for teaching others his craft and unlocking their potential. He has an approachable personality and a simple, straightforward teaching style that allows students of any skill set to feel comfortable and enjoy learning. And secretly, David has a passion for performing, so don’t be surprised if you see him whipping up a storm on a dance floor near you soon!

We found out a few more secrets in our 60 Seconds with Davide D’Annunzio chat. Read on!

The era you wished you been born in? Early 1900s, no phones, no TV, everyone just hung out with each other

Fave food and bev? Lasagna and Vanilla Coke

Career highlight? Working as a performer at Movie World!

What makes you cry? Disney films

Hair hero? MC Barber

Cat or dog? Rottweiler

Who would you invite to a dinner party? Jim Carrey, Dr Karl, and Donald Trump.

Last supper? A meatball Subway

Fave dance tune? ‘Dance Floor’ by Zapp

Worst hair faux pas? Overgrown mullets

What makes you laugh? Accidental falls

Biggest inspiration? Jim Carrey

What do you love about teaching? Seeing the transformation of students

Obsession? Coffee and Tim Tams

In five years I’ll be…A father, a preacher and a better dancer

MIG STUDENT JOSIE HORNER KICKING BIG INDUSTRY GOALS

MIG STUDENT JOSIE HORNER KICKING BIG INDUSTRY GOALS

Our students are an important part of the Matters in Gray family and over the years we spend training them, we are blessed to develop special bonds with each and every one. So when our apprentices achieve success and kick goals, well, we feel just like proud parents!

A perfect example of how we empower our students to be the best they can be is one of our recent graduates, Josie Horner, whose passion for photo shoots and editorial hair resulted in her becoming a finalist in not one but TWO industry competitions – the 2018 Australian Hair Fashion Awards and the 2018 Australian Hair Industry Awards – for ‘Apprentice of the Year’. We caught up with Josie to get the low down on life post-MIG and the secret to her competition success.

MIG: When did you know you wanted to pursue hairdressing?

JH: I always wanted to be a hairdresser. When I was younger I loved doing hair, whether it was on my family or myself. I’ve always had the passion for hairdressing in me!

MIG: Tell us about your salon and how you came about training at Matters in Gray

JH: I work at Globe Creative in Paddington. My duties are to take care of my clients and to personalise a different style to each individual. The salons I have worked at introduced me to MIG and since the very beginning to the end of my apprenticeship I have been training with them. I graduated from MIG in February this year.

MIG: What did you enjoy about your MIG education journey?

JH: I liked how every trainer was dedicated to the students and their individual needs. It was also great to train in the salon area on real clients. It gave me the opportunity to further my skills and gain confidence.

MIG: What did you learn that you use most in your salon?

JH: I learnt many skills while training at MIG but the main thing I learnt was to trust myself and be confident with what I am doing.

MIG: Congratulations on reaching the finals of both the AHFA and AHIA for ‘Apprentice of the Year’, can you tell us about your experience?

JH: My boss Joshua Magee encouraged me to enter both competitions for ‘Apprentice of the Year’. He knew how much I love doing photoshoots and he thought it would be a good opportunity for me to show what I can do. The six months of planning for the photoshoot was stressful, as I had never done a big shoot like this before. Every night I would be researching themes and ideas for it. I thought I had everything organised, but on the day of the shoot it never really goes to plan. To begin with, I was going to do a New York grunge theme all in colour, but when we took the photos it didn’t look right, so we ended up changing it to a global beauty vibe in black and white. I think the main thing to remember when doing a photoshoot is to be open to change. We were shooting from 6am – 7pm for two days straight, and although they were very long days, I loved every moment of it. We had such a great team to work with, which always makes it easier.

MIG: Any final words?

JH: Just that I would definitely recommend other students to train at MIG. I couldn’t have asked for a better college to support me through my apprenticeship!

BRISBANE HAIR & BEAUTY EXPO HAIR COMPS ARE BACK FOR 2018

BRISBANE HAIR & BEAUTY EXPO HAIR COMPS ARE BACK FOR 2018

The Brisbane Hair & Beauty Expo (BHBE) continues to gain momentum each year, and one of the most exciting elements of this event is the live hair competition arena that showcases some of the industry’s best talents. Last year the competitions had a huge increase in entries, as local stylists seized the opportunity to demonstrate their hairdressing skills in front of a live audience. Once again, Matters in Gray Training is proudly managing the entire competition schedule.

 

Held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, the BHBE will take place on Sunday 29 July and Monday 30 July. The hair competitions are split into two programs – The Sunshine Pro Series and The Barber Series. The programs run over two days, with separate divisions available for seniors and students/apprentices as listed below, so there is an opportunity for hairdressers of all skill levels to compete.

 

SUNSHINE PRO SERIES – SUNDAY 29 JULY

Salon Team Challenge – Colour, Cut, Style (Open) – New category!

Men’s Cutting (Apprentice/Student)

Contemporary Colour Pre-Done – (Apprentice/Student)

Contemporary Colour Pre-Done – (Senior)

Futuristic Colour Pre-Done (Apprentice/Student)

Futuristic Colour Pre-Done (Senior)

 

BARBER PRO SERIES – SUNDAY 29 JULY

Live Competition Finals

Men’s Freestyle (0pen)

Traditional Barbering (Open)

Hair Art (Open)

 

SUNSHINE PRO SERIES – MONDAY 30 JULY

Ladies Cutting (Apprentice/Student)

Ladies Cutting (Senior)

Upstyling Traditional (Open)

Upstyling Avant Garde (Open)

 

There is also another new category, the Pre-Event Online Hair Photographic Competition, whereby entrants can submit one photographic image online in either a Ladies Total Look (Open) or Men’s Total Look (Open).

 

The Sunshine Pro Series and Barber Pro Series platforms provide the opportunity to receive industry recognition and potentially propel your career to the next level. Given the growth in numbers for these hair competitions in 2017 from the previous year, we recommend you register early to ensure you don’t miss out! Entries open on Wednesday 4th April.

 

For further information and rules/regulations for each category, visit http://www.brisbanehairandbeautyexpo.com.au/hair-competitions/

TICKETS ON SALE NOW TO ENTER THE BRISBANE HAIR & BEAUTY EXPO BARBER PRO SERIES  BARBER COMPETITION PRESENTED BY REDKEN BREWS

TICKETS ON SALE NOW TO ENTER THE BRISBANE HAIR & BEAUTY EXPO BARBER PRO SERIES BARBER COMPETITION PRESENTED BY REDKEN BREWS

Tickets are now on sale now to enter the Brisbane Hair & Beauty Expo Barber Pro Series  Barber Competition presented by Redken Brews.

To enter head to www.bhbe.com.au and click “BUY TICKETS” and following the prompts to select which category/s you would like to compete in.

We can’t wait to see what’s instore from our competitors in 2018!

‘EXCITE, EDUCATE AND MOTIVATE YOUR TEAM’ WORKSHOPS WITH FAYE MURRAY AT MIG

‘EXCITE, EDUCATE AND MOTIVATE YOUR TEAM’ WORKSHOPS WITH FAYE MURRAY AT MIG

Following the success of her ‘Creating Great Leaders’ workshop series in 2017, MIG is thrilled to welcome back everyone’s favourite business coach, Faye Murray, for her next instalment of business programs –  “Excite, Educate and Motivate Your Team”.

Faye’s two seminars this year will focus on how to wow and impress your clients. The program is designed for all salon staff, from juniors to the most experienced, and features practical ideas that attendees can take back to their salons and work with straight away. Both sessions are delivered over 90 minutes plus question time.

Session 1: It Is Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It That Matters

Date: Tuesday 15th May

Time: 6.00 – 7.30pm plus question time

Details: This workshop is all about developing ideas for amazing communication that will impress and win clients.

Areas covered include:

  • Client welcome
  • The value of great reception skills
  • Ask the right questions to get the right answers
  • The difference between selling and advising
  • Price quoting
  • Showing the value
  • Telephone magic
  • The shampoo experienc
  • Who needs a treatment
  • Consultation is a conversation
  • Never make assumptions

Session 2: Are You Good Enough To Win and Retain Clients?

Date: Tuesday 23rd October

Time: 6.00 – 7.30pm plus question time

Details: This workshop is about winning and retaining each and every client. Faye will look closely at what it takes to impress a client and have them return to you, not just once but ongoing, and tell others how special you are.

Areas covered include:

  • Great hair is always the key
  • What do you clients expect?
  • Developing relationships built on trust and respect
  • Change them before they change you
  • Planning the next visit
  • Touch points that matter
  • Indifference is a sure killer
  • Re-booking is a service, it will not retain
  • Focus on retention
  • What makes you different?
  • Filling up your appointment column

The investment for these invaluable workshops is just $59 per session or $99 for both sessions (prepaid). You can nominate another team member if you are unable to attend a session.

‘Excite, Educate and Motivate Your Team’, delivered by Faye Murray in conjunction with Matters in Gray, will take place at MIG College Brisbane, 12 Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road, Upper Mt Gravatt. Numbers are strictly limited, so contact MIG Training on Tel: (07) 3349 6538 or email: info@mattersingray.com.au to book.

HAIR EXPO APPRENTICE SUPER PASS…$1079 VALUE FOR ONLY $249

HAIR EXPO APPRENTICE SUPER PASS…$1079 VALUE FOR ONLY $249

Hey apprentices! Don’t miss the chance to buy your value packed APPRENTICE SUPER PASS, which gives you access to an amazing mix of creative workshops, education and gala fun at Hair Expo 2018.

 

SAVE $830 IF YOU BOOK BY THE EARLY BIRD DEADLINE OF 20 APRIL!

______________________________________________________________

HAIR EXPO SUPER APPRENTICE PASS – What’s included?

*** 2 Creative Sessions – http://www.hairexpoaustralia.com/en/Hair-Expo-Australia 2018/Conferences/#search=rpp%3D12%26d%3D102743%7C152_427566

*** Look N Learn Pass – http://www.hairexpoaustralia.com/en/Hair-Expo-Australia-2018/Conferences/#search=rpp%3D12%26d%3D102741%7C152_427572

*** 3 day expo pass – http://www.hairexpoaustralia.com/en/Expo

*** Gen NEXT Sunday Night Showhttp://www.hairexpoaustralia.com/en/Galas/The-GenNext-Project/

With names including Angelo Seminara, Candy Shaw, Joey Scandizzo, Marie Uva, Kobi Bokshish, Stevie English, Katy Reeve, Nick Irwin, Lorna Evans, Paul Rucupito, Howard McLean, Pulp Riot and Co-Lab to choose from, your creative juices will be catapulted into overdrive!

Early bird* Price: $249.00 – *Ends 20 April 2018
Full Price: $269.00
RRP: $1,079.00 (That’s a $830.00 discount if students purchase their ticket before early bird deadline)

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

Please contact Hair Expo via visit@hairexpoaustralia.com, providing a letter or certificate that verifies you are an apprentice and Hair Expo will provide you with the Apprentice Super Pass Code!  

Hair Expo believes in elevating young talent for the future of our industry. This special discounted Apprentice Super Pass is a must-have so that apprentices can soak up new skills and go back to the salon motivated and inspired.

Hair Expo Australia takes place from Saturday 9 to Monday 11 June 2018 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

SOME EXCLUSIVE VIP HAIRBIZ FORUM LOVE, JUST FOR YOU!

SOME EXCLUSIVE VIP HAIRBIZ FORUM LOVE, JUST FOR YOU!

If you’re reading this story, it’s because we think you are a V.I.P. (that’s Very Important Person in case you didn’t know). And because you are very important to us at MIG, we’ve got a special offer just for you.

On Sunday 29 April, the team at Mocha Publishing and names behind HairBiz magazine and the Australian Hair Industry Awards will once again present their annual HairBiz Forum, a full day business seminar and creative program held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre that’s certain to inspire and inform as it has in past years. The line up of artists and presenters will literally blow your mind, starring international guest and session stylist extraordinaire Zoe Irwin from the UK, along with the Matrix Design Team featuring Uros Mikic, Stevie English, Kobi Bokshish and Paul Ricupito, plus some of the best barbering talent in Australia from the Wahl Education & Artistic Team.

But it doesn’t stop there. Other headline acts include:

  • The Li’l off the Top crew starring Jules Tognini, Sam James, Ryan King, Nathan Yip and Tom White
  • Brodie Lee Stubbins & The Rokstar Creative Team
  • Jenni Tarrant / Bond Hair Religion
  • Dennis Langford / Toni&Guy
  • Paula Hibbard / Paula Hibbard Education
  • Dario Cotroneo / DCI Education
  • The Secret Fox / The Fox & The Hair + Secret Salon Society
  • Clive Allwright & Kelly Kent / Pilaroo
  • The M Collective / Laura Macleod and Melissa Rissman

Special event hosts are the hilarious husband and wife comedic duo Troy and Zara from Humour Australia. Ask anyone who’s been to a De Lorenzo ASPYA Conference how fantastic these two are as event MCs; we guarantee you’ll be entertained all day long.

Now if that line up wasn’t great enough, here’s an offer just for our VIP salons and students. Matters in Gray is extremely happy to offer a discounted ticket rate to the HairBiz 2018 event…so you get a full day of inspo and education, and we’ll cover part of the cost for you. How’s that for friendship?

HairBiz full day tickets are normally $249 each, with apprentice tickets at $149. Our gift to you is a full day pass at the reduced price of $195 (saving $50) and for students, a discounted ticket price of $125 (saving $24). You ticket includes morning tea, lunch, show bag and a passport full of educational offers for 2018. The event runs from 10.00am – 4.30pm and as mentioned above, will take place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Sunday 29 April.

Only a limited number of these exclusive special price HairBiz/MIG tickets are available, so make haste and order yours today by contacting Matters in Gray on Tel (07) 3349 6538.

You’re welcome!

WENDY’S GUN ENTRY WINS L’Oréal Professionnel COLOUR TROPHY 2018

WENDY’S GUN ENTRY WINS L’Oréal Professionnel COLOUR TROPHY 2018

At Matters in Gray we strive to achieve success on a daily basis with the apprentices we train and also the salons that we work with. So when our salon partners kick big goals it makes us really proud to be associated with brands and individuals that pull out all stops when it comes to raising the hairdressing bar in business and creativity.

Such is the case with the uber talented Wendy Gunn, owner of Ink for Hair in Newmarket, who took out the final national chapter of the L’Oréal Professionnel Colour Trophy Awards earlier this month. After a long hiatus, the iconic competition made its long-awaited return to Australia, gathering a list of celebrities, talented hairdressers, finalists and performers for one massive show at The Palms at Crown, Melbourne. The glittering event showcased the many finalists’ alluring live looks in a multitude of runway shows, and was indeed a shining platform for some of the best colour talent Australia has to offer.

Wendy was announced the recipient of the illustrious award amongst 15 talented finalists from around the country with a stunning coral pink bob that had the crowd swooning. She delivered an emotional winning speech about her 53 years in the industry and the power of the hair community itself. “Wendy created the most innovative, fashion forward and inspired look demonstrating exemplary skill and technique,” said L’Oréal Professionnel General Manager Olga Zanetti. Wendy has won editorial opportunities with INSTYLE and marie claire magazines and a trip to Paris to represent Australia on the international stage.
Musing on her illustrious win, Wendy admits it was a big surprise. “I think everyone that enters a competition wouldn’t be honest if they said they didn’t want to win,” she laughs. “I was just happy to be in the finals. I felt I had a chance as I had done my best, and I can’t do better than that. But after working with all the other contestants, I had chosen whom I thought the winner would be – and it wasn’t me.  After the announcement I was so overwhelmed and elated.  I remember picking up my model and swinging her around! As for the speech, well I didn’t have one prepared at all. I just spoke from my heart.
“Colour Trophy to me is a very different awards platform in comparison to other competitions.  The semi finalists and then finalists have to recreate their look for a second round of judging, then again for the last lot of judging, so it’s not just about a photo. The exposure that Colour Trophy offers being a finalist and winner is shared with the consumer and not just the Industry, including being published in the marie claire Colours magazine. It has afforded me the opportunity to compete globally for Australia now. I would encourage everyone to challenge themselves and enter the Colour Trophy Awards.”
SO YOU WANNA BE A ROK SUPERSTAR!

SO YOU WANNA BE A ROK SUPERSTAR!

In May, MIG is proud to host that hugely talented pocket rocket Brodie Lee Stubbins of Rokstar fame, who will present ‘Celebrity Styling 101’ on Monday May 21st, aimed at senior stylists and advanced apprentices. One of hairdressing’s brightest stars, Brodie constantly has her finger on the pulse when it comes to who’s who and what’s in across the worlds of hair and fashion. In this class you’ll learn how to execute ‘IT Girl’ styling quickly and efficiently on the salon floor. Transform your client from basic to Kardashian with a host of simple yet on trend skills to take back to the salon including how to nail the undone ‘do, simple techniques for adding texture and movement in minutes, perfectly polished chignons and red carpet updos. Learn the backstage secrets from an award-winning stylist who has experienced it all firsthand. With accolades including 2017 AHIA QLD Salon of the Year and Salon Owner of the Year, Brodie certainly knows her stuff! You’ll need to get in early for this workshop as it’s guaranteed to be a sell out. Book now.
MIG’s 2018 SHORT COURSES CONTINUE WITH MEN’S FUNDAMENTALS FEATURING DAVIDE D’ANNUNZIO

MIG’s 2018 SHORT COURSES CONTINUE WITH MEN’S FUNDAMENTALS FEATURING DAVIDE D’ANNUNZIO

Our newest MIG barber trainers, Davide D’Annunzio, will present a Barbering Fundamentals workshop for Apprentices on Monday 16th April. This barbering bootcamp class is designed to provide students with a solid understanding on the basics of men’s hair cutting – but there’ll be no barking orders Commando on site, we promise! Davide will talk you through your clippers, guards, clips, scissors, combs and all the tools of the trade before you head into basic hair cutting techniques and edging the hairline of different types of hair. He’ll also cover blending, fading and tapering as well as other essentials in the barbering fundamentals toolbox. Students can watch and learn, then try their newfound knowledge out on their own model after lunch. So apprentices…what are you waiting for? Book now to avoid disappointment.
MEET THE TRAINER…INTRODUCING FIONA RYAN

MEET THE TRAINER…INTRODUCING FIONA RYAN

At Matters in Gray we know that a business isn’t anything without its team, and that’s why we only employ the very best teachers to train our students and represent the MIG brand. We are honoured to receive countless feedback from our salons and students about how great they think our teachers are. And we have to agree.

So, we’d like to introduce to you one of the newest members of the MIG team, the lovely Fiona Ryan. (Fiona says hi!)

Fiona has been hairdressing for more than 20 years and has worked at a number of salons as a stylist and educator. For the past four years she has been teaching at TAFE. Fiona has competed in hair competitions and worked on photographic shoots for magazines and other publications. She keeps her professional development up to speed by attending numerous industry courses and has supported hairdressing big names over the years including Tracey Hughes.

Fiona is a passionate, hands-on teacher and has a particular fondness for long hair styling. In fact, she’ll be conducting a workshop later this year at MIG focusing on modern styles inspired by red carpet and catwalk looks and will demonstrate to students how to adapt them into easy, commercial styles suitable for salon use.

“I am aware of the importance of training and continual development being the basis of providing knowledge in all aspects of hairdressing,” Fiona tells. “By utilising my experiences from the work place and in the teaching environment, I love helping others to achieve their goals and aspirations as hairdressers.”

Want to spend 60 Seconds with Fiona Ryan? Read on!

What makes you laugh? A good comedy

Best weekend? Lazy morning brunch, walk and swim at the beach, cocktails watching the sun go down

Cat or dog? Labrador

Hair hero? Sharon Blain

The era you wish you’d been born in? The 80s, I love all of it. Actually I don’t think I ever really left it lol

Netflix binge? Suits

Celebrity crush? Bradley Cooper

Worst hair faux pas? The mullet

Last time you cried? I’m a sook, I cry at anything. Especially watching movies

Obsession? Good food and wine

Fave dance tune? Nutbush

Who would you invite to a dinner party? Pink. Prince Harry. Michelle Obama

What did you do on Valentine’s Day? Worked : ((

Last supper? Roast lamb

What do you love about teaching? Sharing my knowledge and helping others follow and learn their hair ambitions

In five years I’ll be…five years older!

THE MIG 2018 EDUCATION CALENDAR KICKS OFF IN STYLE WITH 2 OF BRISBANE’S COOLEST KIDS ON THE BLOCK!

THE MIG 2018 EDUCATION CALENDAR KICKS OFF IN STYLE WITH 2 OF BRISBANE’S COOLEST KIDS ON THE BLOCK!

They go together like Betty and Jughead, Bert and Ernie, JayZ and Bey, spaghetti and meatballs…well you get our drift, right? We’re talking about the real names behind boutique hair hot spot Ella&Jade, namely current Hair Expo QLD Hairdresser of the Year, William Webb, and his partner in crime Alannah Read.

This dynamic duo is launching the 2018 MIG Education calendar in style with a full day creative cutting and colour workshop on Monday 5th March that’s trend driven and client friendly all wrapped up into one. ‘Trends Unlocked with Ella&Jade’ will focus on current and future trends and translate them into techniques that everybody can adapt to suit their clientele in salon. The class will also provide students with tips on how to introduce new trends to clients who may be hesitant to dip their toes in the water of change…you know, the ones who’ve had the same hairstyle for 20 years.

A collaboration of colour and cutting techniques, William will demonstrate one of 2018’s hottest haircuts, the modern shag, providing variations to edge it up or make it more salon friendly. You will learn fringe techniques, personalisation techniques and client suitability techniques from this award-winning stylist, who just returned from New York Fashion Week. Uber-talented partner in crime Alannah is the yin to William’s yang. She will cover a range of up-to-the-minute and future trend colouring methodology, including colour placement and freehand work, colour selection, colour contouring, application techniques and appropriate shade selection.

At Matters in Gray we like to get up close and personal with our guest educators, so we’ve gathered a bit of ammo on these two hairdressing powerhouses so you can get to know them a little better as well!

WILLIAM WEBB

Position: Master Stylist / Head of Education

Number of years hairdressing: 10

Star sign: Leo

Hair hero: Eugene Souleiman

Style star: Tilda Swinton

Best day in five words: Busy. Travel. Food. Fashion. Hair

Greatest achievement: Assisting Renya Xydis at New York Fashion Week for Zimmerman 2018

Pet hate: People who say, “I can’t”

Three things on your bucket list: Skydiving. Paris Couture show. Assisting Eugene at anything.

Fave food & bev: Vietnamese and spiced rum

Best song: Fasta by Kah-Lo

What will students learn during your class: Trend focused styles. How to translate an image and break it down into a haircut. Real and salon friendly techniques to use on clients.

ALANNAH READ

Position: Creative Director

Number of years hairdressing: 10

Star sign: Aquarius

Hair hero: Tracey Cunningham

Style star: Alexa Chung

Best day in five words: Snow. Cherry blossoms. Friends. Travel. Love

Greatest achievement: Being nominated at Hair Expo 2017 for Best Salon Team of the Year

Celeb hook up goal: Ryan Reynolds

Three things on your bucket list: African safari. French wine region. Iceland.

Fave food & bev: Italian and wine wine wine

Best song: Not Letting Go by Tinie Tempah & Jess Glynn. Anything from Adele or Ed Sheeran.

What will students learn during your class: How colours and cuts can complement each other. How to make current/upcoming trends relevant to your client base. Making balayage/hairpainting accessible to everybody.

Nothing enhances a sharp cut better than a great colour, and vice versa, so this workshop is the ideal vehicle for you to elevate your technical skills and create your very own perfect match.

What: ‘Trends Unlocked with Ella&Jade’


Who:  William Webb & Alannah Read

When: Monday 5th March

Student level: Advanced apprentices and seniors wishing to enhance their cutting and colouring skills

What’s included: Headblock and light lunch

Duration: Full day

Class size: Maximum 14

Requirements: Nil

Investment: $185

At Matters in Gray we keep our class sizes small and intimate so you can maximise your learning investment and get the attention we know you deserve. Spaces are limited – book your place NOW so you don’t miss out!