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theFactory Founder DJ Muldoon Joins Bellus Academy as Creative Director
DJ Muldoon has joined Bellus Academy as Creative Director. The Sheffield, England native who founded San Diego’s theFactory in 2011, is one of the world’s most renowned educators, a recipient of Vidal Sassoon’s Teacher of the ...
January 9, 2016
3 min to read
DJ Muldoon has joined Bellus Academy as Creative Director. The Sheffield, England native who founded San Diego’s theFactory in 2011, is one of the world’s most renowned educators, a recipient of Vidal Sassoon’s Teacher of the Year award and the 2016 Southwest Hairstyling Awards Independent Platform Artist award recipient.
As Creative Director at Bellus Academy, Muldoon will return to his educational roots, developing signature cuts and styles for the academy’s hairstyling education tract and furthering Bellus’ reputation as a leader in hair artistry and innovation. The collaboration between Muldoon and Bellus builds on an ongoing relationship. In 2015, Muldoon created HOMME, a signature line of barbering cuts to launch the Bellus barbering program. theFactory is also an internship partner with Bellus Academy and has hired Bellus Academy graduates.
Bellus Academy owner Lynelle Lynch said DJ’s reputation as a leading international educator reflects the academy’s commitment to preparing hairstylists for an increasingly global marketplace. “DJ is one of the world’s most admired and respected stylists whose passion for mentoring the next generation and inspiring their creativity is in complete alignment with the Bellus Academy mission,” said Lynch. Bellus Academy is one of the most awarded academies in the U.S. and in September 2015, it was presented with the Intercoiffure Best Continental Academy North America Region in Paris.
Muldoon will continue to create educational content and video at theFactory, and work as an artist and hairstylist, but he is especially excited about inspiring future hairstylists. “I want to be part of shaping the next generation of hairstyling talent. Education starts and stops with the teacher and today’s generation of students is fortunate to benefit from incredible technologies unavailable to previous generations,” he said.
Recruiting top talent to serve as educators is an ongoing commitment at Bellus Academy. Part of that commitment includes sponsoring its educator staff to participate in competitions and create professional collections. “The educator is charged with teaching cutting techniques and styles, but ultimately, it is a teacher’s passion that inspires students to become their best and we are so excited to bring DJ’s passion to students at each of our four campuses,” she said. Last fall, seven Bellus Academy instructors were among 25 educators selected from throughout the U.S. to join an elite group of hairstylists for the Leo Passage Endowment Fund Creative Jam experience in Chicago. Other Bellus educators have recently received industry accolades including Bryden Mugleston, Bellus Education Creative Manager who took home “Best Educator” honors in Sebastian’s “What’s Next Competition.”
“One of the wonderful things about hairstyling is that new talent is welcomed without a long apprenticeship program,” said Muldoon. He noted that in his home country of England, hairstylists must complete apprenticeship programs before they can practice professionally. Lynch has a track record of connecting emerging artists with industry leaders. As President of the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation, she created a mentorship program that pairs beauty school talent with industry icons. Mentors have included Ted Gibson, Johnny Wright, and Christopher Dove, among others. “The beauty has always had a big heart when it comes to helping the next generation of talent,” Lynch said.
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