When I graduated cosmetology school from Pivot Point International, Aquage educator Ann Bray spoke at my ceremony. She touched on her immense hairdresser pride—transforming her clients through the skills she learned in school and experience acquired through advanced education and competing.

I sat in the audience with such a sense of accomplishment, and proud that my family was there to hear how big our industry is and vast our opportunity. So when Pivot Point asked me to keynote its most recent graduation ceremony, I felt such honor—but also a tremendous responsibility to share Bray’s sentiment.

As I prepared my speech, I found myself reflecting on the people of professional beauty—from the hairdressers, artists and educators, to MODERN’s very own editorial team—and how lucky we are to be contributors to this industry.

Platform artists connect directly with hairdressers, sharing the latest in color and developing fresh cutting methods. Celebrity stylists influence Hollywood beauty—starting trends that find their way to the everyday client.

And while these influential beauty makers help shape contemporary style, this issue of MODERN celebrates hairdressers of all levels of talent, experience and fame.

In Ones to Watch, we recognize those who share client transformations through the power of social media. Meet powerhouse posters who have hashtagged their way to our Ones to Watch feature—and snagged a spot on our must-follow list. Process spotlights color educators with definitive answers to common conundrums heard in their classrooms.

In Forward Motion, competition winners get inspired by Sebastian Professional’s EvoTech collection, celebrating fresh talent and futuristic styles. In Editorial Style, Living Proof founder Ward and Chris McMillan, arguably 2014’s most prevalent hairdresser in Hollywood makeover headlines, team up to create finishes reflective of today’s runways and fashion magazine covers.

As we welcome this new school of talent, commend the experience of color educators, recognize competition winners and celebrate Hollywood talents, we also say goodbye to influential industry icon Paula Kent Meehan. See our tribute to her, and look to your October issue of MODERN for a special print tribute dedicated to her, in partnership with Redken, which she founded in 1960.

To echo the closing of my keynote speech, no matter your level of fame or experience, it's a privilege to be a hairdresser: from first hair cuts on toddlers to last hair cuts before chemo—wedding days or makeovers, it’s amazing the power we have as we stand behind our clients, ready to make them look and feel their very best. Be proud of what you do—and keep working to make yourself even better.

At MODERN, we too have “had a little work done”—as influenced by what’s trending in beauty and fashion. All the things you love about the magazine are still here, but we’ve freshened up the design a bit—consider it a facelift. Enjoy it, and look to your September issue for an even bigger debut.