Aveda Institute Madison hosted guest artist Susan Ford to teach advanced haircutting techniques. Cosmetology students assembled to watch Ford demonstrate a modern shag and a blunt bob haircut, and those with the highest education fund contributions got to work with Ford hands-on to put the techniques to practice. The education fund comes from tips left by guests after their student services, and all proceeds in the fund go directly to hosting guest educators, such as Ford herself.
Although Ford knows hair, she wears many hats. The Chicago-based Aveda Artist is a hair cutting educator as well as the creative director and master stylist at Asha Salon. Her portfolio includes editorial work in American Vogue, Men’s Italian Vogue, American Salon and Modern Salon. A New York Fashion Week veteran, Ford has worked several runway shows. She performed as lead hairstylist for the Chicago launch of (U2’s) Bono and Ali Hewsen’s fashion line, EDUN.
Students got the opportunity to learn directly from this professional and ask questions. At Aveda Institute Madison, Ford talked about advanced hair cutting techniques.
“The fundamentals are the advanced techniques,” Ford said.
She stressed the importance of nailing down all of the foundational hair cutting techniques in order to advance. Complex haircuts are often a mix-and-match of the fundamentals.
Ford explained how to achieve these looks with different lengths and layers along with tips on how to design hair that flatters a client’s face and features. Her lecture also included a history lesson from the 90’s for the younger students: how Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel haircut from Friends popularized square layering for women.
After the presentation, students with the top education fund contributions stepped onto the clinic floor, each brining a model, to workshop with Ford. Each student held a consultation with Ford and their model and went to work. The students received live feedback from Ford as they practiced the techniques and tips they just learned.
Ford worked with several students during the rest of the afternoon at Aveda Institute Madison on the clinic floor. Prior, Ford visited The Institute of Beauty and Wellness to teach and work with students at our sister school.
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