A whimsical avant garde look inspired by nature by Shawn McGrath.
A whimsical avant garde look inspired by nature by Shawn McGrath.
Capri and Lee with their #901Girl models after their social media session.
Capri and Lee with their #901Girl models after their social media session.
Outside of the Balboa theater.
Outside of the Balboa theater.
A two-toned precision cut by Lina Lindholm during a creative-cutting session.
A two-toned precision cut by Lina Lindholm during a creative-cutting session.
Natasha Pearson pumps up the volume<br />during an editorial session styling presentation
Natasha Pearson pumps up the volume
during an editorial session styling presentation
Gary Baker sprays cotton candy-like hair during the avant garde styling session.
Gary Baker sprays cotton candy-like hair during the avant garde styling session.
Raniel Rymer, Matt Stark and Dylan Johnson’s final barbering looks
Raniel Rymer, Matt Stark and Dylan Johnson’s final barbering looks
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A whimsical avant garde look inspired by nature by Shawn McGrath.
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A whimsical avant garde look inspired by nature by Shawn McGrath.
Capri and Lee with their #901Girl models after their social media session.
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Capri and Lee with their #901Girl models after their social media session.
Outside of the Balboa theater.
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Outside of the Balboa theater.
A two-toned precision cut by Lina Lindholm during a creative-cutting session.
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A two-toned precision cut by Lina Lindholm during a creative-cutting session.
Natasha Pearson pumps up the volume<br />during an editorial session styling presentation
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Natasha Pearson pumps up the volume
during an editorial session styling presentation
Gary Baker sprays cotton candy-like hair during the avant garde styling session.
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Gary Baker sprays cotton candy-like hair during the avant garde styling session.
Raniel Rymer, Matt Stark and Dylan Johnson’s final barbering looks
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Raniel Rymer, Matt Stark and Dylan Johnson’s final barbering looks

Stylists from across the country and as far as Australia, the U.K. and South America gathered in San Diego for Unite’s annual Global Session.

THE EVENT: Unite Global Session October 9-10, with classes October 11- 12, at Balboa theater in San Diego.

THE DETAILS: The event welcomed 1,500 stylists from across the U.S. and beyond for learning, inspiration and celebration. The first two days fit in five sessions each, featuring live cutting and styling, a presentation of the new Evolution collection, an onstage photoshoot and more. Between sessions, there were product launches and time to network. On the eve of day one, Unite hosted attendees at Parq Nightclub for a Halloween party where stylists mingled, danced and showed off their costumes. Days three and four Global Session add-ons were hands-on classes and Unite’s Paramount Business course—management training written and led by Unite Founder and CEO Andrew Dale.

ON STAGE: After a welcome from Dale, the session opened with the launch of the Evolution collection, created and designed by Unite Creative Director Gary Baker, with the help of Unite ambassadors Renee Africa and Estevan Garner. During the two days of presentations, various look-and-learn sessions included editorial session styling, creative cutting, barbering and avant garde.

Capri and Lee with their #901Girl models after their social media session.
Capri and Lee with their #901Girl models after their social media session.

Celebrity stylists, colorists and co-owners of NineZeroOne Salon and 901too in West Hollywood, California, Riawna Capri and Nikki Lee led the final session of day one, which focused on social media skills. Capri and Lee started the show by doing what launched their careers—working in tandem on a client (or in this case a model) to get the job done quickly, efficiently and beautifully. As the duo worked, animated, adorably dressed models strut their stuff, donning a variety of hair styles and personas while laughing, taking selfies and getting into character.

Day two opened with an interactive, live photoshoot with hairstylist Kevin Ryan and photographer Roberto Aguilar. Ryan styled editorial looks, then took the models to the on-stage photo studio where Aguilar shot the looks with a live feed projected for the audience. During the photo session, Ryan answered audience questions and gave tips on hair styling for shoots.

LAUNCHES: Unite introduced 12 tools for stylists to use with its line, including an ionic generator and tourmaline grill professional dryer, three nylon- and boar-bristle round brushes with a barrel that turns from black to white when fully heated, a teaser brush featuring a longer handle for sectioning hair and more.

“Everything we create is intended to make the life of the salon owner and stylist easier,” Dale said. “Each of our new products is extremely purposeful—never gimmicky. Because I am a hairdresser at my core and our team is made up of seasoned industry experts, we are tougher than most when testing a new product.”

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