Hair
Pro Hair Graduate Sophie McMullin Vancouver’s East Vanity Parlour: Where Nostalgia meets Punk Rock
They didn’t just break the mould when they made stylist and Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair graduate Sophie McMullin. They smashed the mould with a hammer, put the fragments in a blender, buried what was left and built condos over the top for good measure. Her extravagant plume of hair (black, white and purple at the time of writing) grabs your attention. The incredible tattoo of Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s monster on her right shoulder puts it in a vice grip. Soon he’ll have a tattoo of Elsa Lanchester, the original Bride of Frankenstein, on Sophie’s left shoulder for company.
Sophie’s unique attitude and remarkable talent has turned her into one of BC’s most in-demand hair stylists, a star at Vancouver’s shrine to vintage glamour glory, East Vanity Parlour.
“After I graduated from Blanche Macdonald I said that I was going to take half a year off,” recalls Sophie. “But within two months the girls from East Vanity Parlour had taken me under their wing. They do a lot of work with Vancouver’s burlesque community, and they had heard of me through someone I did vintage styling with. When I found this place I immediately felt at home. There’s obviously something different here, because of the focus on nostalgia and punk rock. And there are no senior or junior stylists. We’re all equal and we’re all good friends. I love it.”
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Pro Hair Graduate Ana Luisa Valdes: A Cut Above at Toni & Guy and the Contessa Awards
Not every student at Blanche Macdonald arrives with a crystal ball providing step-by-step directions to a glittering future career. For Ana Luisa Valdés, Blanche Macdonald Pro Hair graduate and Art Director at the multiple award-winning Kitsilano, Vancouver branch of Toni&Guy, success has more to do with seizing inspiration and opportunities than long-term plans.
Hailing from Tampico, Mexico, the precise details of the start of Ana Luisa’s journey to Vancouver have already faded from memory.
“I really don’t remember how I started cutting hair,” she laughs, taking a break from her busy schedule at Toni&Guy. “It was just for fun. I had no training. It was something natural to me. My aunts would call and they’d get me to cut their hair with the same scissors they used in the garden. My sister-in-law ran a hair salon in Tampico. She saw me doing hair and said that I should help her in the salon.”
When the suggestion came that she should enhance her natural talent with some formal training, Ana Luisa investigated the possibility of a dramatic change of scenery.
“I’d been to Vancouver before, and I’d always liked it. One of my girlfriends from Mexico lived here and said that I should try out Blanche Macdonald. I heard it was one of the best schools. And the brochure they sent me looked really interesting.”
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Shelly Overend - Hairstylist at L'Atelier Hair Salon
Professional Hairstyling Graduate
Professional Hair Stylist at Vancouver's prestigious "L'Atelier" Hair Salon - Vancouver, Canada
Shelly-Marie Overend, BMC Pro Hair graduate - What she says about her experience at Blanche Macdonald
"The Pro Hair Design program teaches more than just the basics. Blanche Macdonald's high standards in education and their students set the footprints to put you and your career in the right direction. I chose Blanche Macdonald because the success students have obtained upon completion in the Fashion/Film industry; no other hair school in Vancouver offers this. Upon completion I had three jobs offers before I had even started looking for employment."
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Katherine MacDonald, Professional Hair Stylist at "The Lounge"
Professional Hairstyling Graduate
Professional Hair Stylist at Vancouver's top hair studio "The Lounge" - Vancouver, Canada
"Here at the Lounge Hair Studio, we handle everything from day to day life to much of the media in town to some of the biggest stars that visit Vancouver. So, when it is time to bring in new team members, Blanche Macdonald is known for excellence in hair and makeup. Like many who begin in the hair industry, students can obtain some insight about the industry through a practicum. It was through a practicum that Katherine MacDonald (Katt) was introduced to The Lounge. Right away, we could see that she had the right attitude and work ethic to fit in, and we knew that we could count on the skills she received at Blanche so we invited her on part-time while she finished her studies. That was in 2007. Fast forward to today. She is now an Associate Stylist who shares her character and skills on clients that she built up since becoming full-time in the middle of 2008. She is responsible for inventory control and visual displays for staff and clients, and continues to work on photo-shoots and other creative events when she can. We are very proud of Katt for her time here at The Lounge and we look forward to many more years as she continues to explore this wonderful industry."
- Steven Carty, Salon Coordinator and Key Makeup Artist of The Lounge Hair Studio Team
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Big Hug. Big Love
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the Pro Hair department at the Blanche Macdonald Centre has been basking in the lovely messages and missives from our Hair graduates.
Whether our Graduates are overseas, on the seas (via cruise-liner) or in our very own locales, there has been a tremendous outpouring of heartfelt sentiments and gratitude.
As educators, our reward is knowing that our students and graduates have achieved their career goals and are happy and fulfilled in their new careers.
So what a testament it is for us at the College to learn of our Graduates’ success!
"The last Pro Hair group that graduated has a 100% job placement Rate!" - Phil Loiselle, Hair Program Director
Congratulations to the Pro Hair Class of 2009; 100% Job Placement!
Alexa Rae Hamilton - Atomic, Ladner BC
Atefeh Baradaran - Bambu, Vancouver BC
Bonnie Buker - Image 1, Powell River BC
Candice McLean - Absolute Spa, Vancouver BC
Chelsea Kapiniak - Freelance Hairstylist, Saskatoon SK
Elizabeth Ferrier - Euphoria, Yellowknife NT
Emilie Klaussen - Hennessey, Vancouver BC
Eva Chao - Le Spot, Vancouver BC
Jeff Sudnicki - Rain ,Vancouver BC
Lisa Riddell - Mirage, Medicine Hat AB
Mahala Boychuk - Elysian, Medicine Hat AB
Natasha Eland - Zazou, North Vancouver BC
Shelly Overend - L'Atelier, Vancouver BC
Tonya Mandzuk - Hennessey, White Rock BC
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Beauty Notes, PRO HAIR Program
Blanche Macdonald Centre
Pro Hair - Professional Hairstyling Diploma Program
What BMC students and grads are saying about the PRO HAIR program;
"Best program outline I have ever experienced. Great, positive environment in which to work. Inspiring and encouraging instructors. Love it!" – Jennifer L
"The Pro Hair program at Blanche Macdonald Centre has been challenging and exciting both in the classroom and in the salon. I am feeling very confident in my skills and I am already starting to build my clientele and business. I have no problem imagining opening my own salon upon graduation in six months." – Amanda N
What Top Industry Experts are saying about the Blanche Macdonald PRO HAIR Program -
"The level and talent of the young students that come to me from Blanche Macdonald Hair Academy are exceptional. The training they receive at their school is of such a high standard. It enables them to fit right into the hectic, busy salon environment of a top salon like Avant Garde. They understand the principles of great client service, which is of the highest priority to me. I try to expose them to the artistic and service aspects of busy salon life in the week they work with me. I have never been disappointed with the talent and work ethic from the students from Blanche Macdonald. This is clearly the result of a great teaching staff at the academy and I look forward to working with many more of their students in the years to come. Work experience is actually a one-week job interview. This is what I tell the students, it is so true. I have also offered job opportunities to many of the students who have passed through my salon on work experience, as I believe their great training will make them invaluable assets in the future to top salons like Avant Garde" - Jon Paul Holt
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Babydolls, Update on BMC Hair Graduates!
How do you reinvent the concept of beauty? By turning it upside-down and inside-out, of course. Topsy-turvy hair colour? Go for grey. We're channeling our Inner Van Gogh and creating our own painted-on hair effects!
Blanche Macdonald Creative Team for the Babydolls Campaign:
Art Direction - Kelly Schmidt, BMC Art Director
Hair – Tania Becker , NOBASURA agency
Makeup - Jon Hennessey, NOBASURA agency, BMC Graduate
Photography - Dexter Quinto
Styling - Melanie Watts, BMC Special Events Coordinator
The dynamic interplay of hair, fashion and makeup is being played out in the high-energy hallways of our Robson campus.
Our new Professional PRO Hair program is already moving into expansion mode. Beginning in August, our Hair salons will be open on the weekends, Saturday AND Sunday for hair appointments with our Student Stylists.
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Pretty In Pink - Pro Hair Program
As a professional Hairstylist, you are constantly immersed in what's new. What's happening now in contemporary culture‚ music, travel, art, fashion and beauty.
Check out the new images from Blanche Macdonald Centre's recent creative shoot with top Vancouver Fashion Photographer Evaan Kheraj and Hairstylist Tania Becker. Styled by Blanche Macdonald Fashion instructor Melanie Watts, makeup by Blanche Macdonald instructor Mani Bratch. Art direction - Blanche Macdonald Creative Director Kelly Schmidt.
As we are entering our third year of the Pro Hair Diploma Program, we've been humbled by the accolades and the acclaim that we've received from the industry. We are thrilled to be able to provide our students with numerous industry internships during their studies at the very best salons in Vancouver. Students have the unique opportunity of being exposed to a variety of salon environments, cutting styles, techniques and clienteles. And as we've seen, these salon internships have often resulted in immediate job offers to our students, even while they are still in school!
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Tangerine Dream
Our new PRO HAIR Program is a stand-out!
Kudos go to our recent graduating classes.
Sampling of graduate career placements include:
Charlotte Gee Fire Fly
Jenna-Lee Haroldson Chemically Addicted
Chantelle Hodgson Knock-outs
Nicole Kerr Pretty Salon and Blo
Rebecca Liang Avant Garde
Jennifer Louangxay Bent
Amanda Nichols Luscious
Jessica lee Palmer Fire Fly
Liz Pederson Fire Fly
Annalisa Sidonio Aveda
Yoko Tsung Mega Hair
Julie Woo Bryley
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