Sunday, November 30, 2014

Barbados, an Island of Progressive Hair Design





     The island nation of Barbados has a population of just above a quarter of a million very industrious and highly cultured people that are very much into fashion. They are a people who are extremely sophisticated and well informed on world matters and with a high tolerance of contemporary concepts that are readily accepted when they represent some beneficial influence on their own social order.
Their skills in natural hair and commercial hair are a fascinating projection of the overall exotique that pervades every aspect of the country.

 About half of the women and men wear dredlocks, braids or some form of natural hairstyles and the other half wear the commercial hair designs that are commonly seen in the cities and rural areas of the United States. Bright color combinations abound in both the clothing and hair. The usual close cut, near bald looks that are currently popular in men's hair fashions are frequently worn by females. Often these looks have decorative lines cut in with astonishing precision. Some of them are filled in with bright colors that reflect artistic modern art designs or actual images of rare or common-place items. Often there are fashion symbols like the Nike sign or the Jorache horse. It is just as normal for the males to wear corn Braids, Twists of various type, Dreadlocks and long, loose individual braids.

Another often seen look is the various head ties that can be worn as an elaborate turban, a head band of different lengths or simply a Bandana tied in Pirate fashion.  My assignment was to teach a class of practicing professionals that were enthusiastic participants in learning the Fusion hair extension methods. The event was held at a very modern building that was a civic center in the center of downtown Bridgetown (the capitol city). The facility was an architectural masterpiece that provided numerous large rooms for everything from Plays, social gatherings and seminars of the nature that I conducted.

Each participant bought their own mannequin and left over pieces of hair, which they utilized to work along with me as I demonstrated the technique on a live model. The major portion of the class was dedicated to the Fusion hair extension methods, however we covered a variety of other topics that included hair cutting, Twist styling, colors and general styling techniques. Most of the attendees were highly skilled professional stylists that contributed their own ideas that they have learned from each other and those that they have developed themselves. The use of commercial hair is a careful application that is done with the high value of the hair in mind. Naturally an island in the Caribbean is a place all the hair must be imported from either the United States or directly from China.



Only a very few pieces of Indian hair is available because of the exorbitant price asked for it. For the most part it is something that is not even considered. Every piece of hair is carefully measured to maximize the value of each piece. As expert Braiders they are adept at attaching the wefts neatly, securely and very flat to the head.  To be a hairdresser in this country one must be truly talented in the art of hair additions. These people are experts in the profession and there is virtually no tolerance of sloppy or any kind of poor work. One must be very capable at every aspect of doing hair additions or it would be impossible to make a living. Neither they, nor their clients will accept shoddy work.

Competency in it is the general practice of the hairdressers of Barbados. It is almost a requirement to attend all classes that are offered in the art of hairstyling. Each one of the attending hair designers possessed a reputation for doing exquisite, individualized work. The artistry of the beauty industry is alive and a vibrant reality in Barbados. This is a place where creativity and superb execution of hair design is showing leadership of a quality that will benefit the craft throughout the entire world. 

There is a movement underway by the energetic lady, who was the promoter of my class (Madame Phillipa Aimee) to bring to Barbados a number of well-known teachers of Beauty Culture from the United States, particularly those that have gained a reputation for being internationally famous cosmetologists who have been responsible for many of the contemporary trends of the present day.

On the following day I had the distinct privilege of conducting a class at the government sponsored training facility for the young people called the Polytechinical Vocational institute. This rather massive place, where any of the high school graduates of Barbados can receive training in any of the many professions that will allow them to seek employment in the industries of any modern society. Among the subjects that can be pursued by the young people are things like Electronics, Auto mechanics, Welding, Healthcare workers, Office skills and of course Cosmetology. Each section has a specific Uniform. All of the young students are neatly dressed in clean, well ironed uniforms that designates what field they are pursuing. Naturally the cosmetology uniforms were white and offered a number of different options like lab coats, pants or skirts to permit the students some measure of variety to their daily dress.

Most of the people of this tranquil society are very well mannered, cultured and soft spoken, with a gentle mien that is most refreshing. All of these qualities were present in the youthful students that were in my cosmetology class. There was also the gracious good manners and studied attentiveness that I had experienced in the professional class. They were also quite skilled in the arts of natural hair and commercial hair additions with a definite penchant for the meticulous manner that was evident in all the workmanship of the professionals.

It was a tremendous pleasure to conduct the class for these very gracious people of Barbados.
The enthusiasm and quick witted understanding made teaching a breeze.
I am looking forward to returning in January of 2014 to participate in the upcoming seminar to which a number of prominent American stylist have been invited. 

Persons desirous of participating in the seminar can contact Madame Phillippa Aimee at Global Events Planning. 

http//.globaleventsllc.com

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