Wella Announces the Finalists of Wella Trend Vision Awards
This year’s awards centered around the Monochromatic trend, which is rooted in minimalism and intentional by design.
by Anne Moratto
A Cultural Exchange for Students at Mario Tricoci University
A group of 27 hair and esthetics students from Tuscany arrived in Chicago on Sept. 23, to attend a special selection of courses at Tricoci University until Oct.4. The trip is designed to give students and educators an opportunity to experience and learn different techniques from the creativity of Mario Tricoci as well as the American culture.
by Valeria Fanelli
September 27, 2012
1/7
3 min to read
A group of 27 hair and esthetics students from Tuscany arrived in Chicago on Sept. 23, to attend a special selection of courses at Tricoci University until Oct.4. The trip was designed to give students and educators an opportunity to experience and learn different techniques from the creativity of Mario Tricoci as well as the American culture.
As a proud Italian blogger, I could not miss the chance to meet with them and ask about the program’s details. I visited Tricoci University Campus located on 6458 North Sheridan Road, Chicago and watched the students at work in one of their classes.
Jen McGann, director of education for cosmetology at Tricoci University, explained to me the details of the program.
“Mario Tricoci has a great relationship with the Accademia i Santini in Italy and we started last year a cultural exchange,” she said. “We sent a couple of our students there and they sent two people here so they all could have a different perspective.” This year the opportunity involved 27 hair and esthetic students, plus teachers and educators. Tricoci University set up classes between the beauty school and the salon to share their philosophies on teaching. Educators demonstrated various hair cuts, updos and coloring techniques they teach their students in the U.S.
“They are getting the experience of how it is to learn here in the U.S.,” she said. “There may be a little bit of a language barrier, but when they are watching something visually, they can really see it and understand it. They are loving it!”
Chief Executive Officer at Tricoci University Brian Weed said it was a great cultural exchange and an occasion to share professionalism between the two schools.
Feedback from the students was very positive. They expressed their excitement for this great opportunity:
Student Francesco Fiorentino, 23, said he enjoyed the classes and demonstrations and said the American method is very different from the Italian one.
“Here in the U.S. the lessons are very practical and we really appreciated that the teachers translated some of the techniques,” he said. “Having classes in English was not a problem though. They gave us great hospitality!”
Mario Tricoci said this initiative was a great exchange opportunity for both the students and the educators.
“It was an opportunity to extend the knowledge that I learned through my experience and through my mentors. I wanted to give that to the next generation of hairdressers in order to be extremely professional. This industry truly deserves to be regarded as equally professional as others,” he said.
Director of Accademia i Santini Luciano Santini said this opportunity gave students an amazing range of knowledge and he felt proud to collaborate with one of the biggest icons of the hair industry Mario Tricoci.
“This project has an important role for our students’ professionalism,” he said. “We will definitely keep promoting these kind of initiatives.”
For more information, visit tricociuniversity.com and isantini.it.
More In The Know
The Doux Launches Roblox Hair Salon Game Celebrating Textured Hair and Entrepreneurship
Haircare brand The Doux has launched “My Salon Empire,” a free-to-play salon management game on Roblox, helping the next generation celebrate the diversity of textured hair and explore salon entrepreneurship.
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric Achieves Record-Breaking Success in Historic Partnership Year
The show reported 30% attendance growth. It felt that way. This event for the southwest professional beauty community had heart, spice, and something for everyone.
by Anne Moratto
House of Wella Los Angeles Brings Fall/Winter 2026 Trends to the Stage and Innovation to the Salon
Wella artists presented the Monochromatic trend movement, introduced new Pure Perfection color and Sebastian styling innovations, while the Wella team created interactive fun throughout Wella Studio in Los Angeles.
by Anne Moratto
The Industry Remembers and Mourns Educator and Artist Dominique LyVar
Dominique LyVar, an influential educator and artist, is remembered by those who loved him for his significant impact on the industry and contributions to the community.
by Angela Reich
Brad Johns Dies at 70: A Friend Remembers the Celebrated Celebrity Colorist
Known for his buttery blondes and a technique for highlighting hair with more precision that he called chunking, Brad Johns died on August 27. His friend and fellow colorist, David Stanko, shares thoughts on his talented colleague and close friend.
by Anne Moratto
Salon Today 2026 Technology Guide
As technology evolves at an accelerated rate, you want to make sure you have the best in your business toolkit to help you grow sales, motivate your team, communicate with your current and future clientele, and streamline your managerial tasks. The 2026 SALON TODAY Technology Solutions Guide is designed to help you navigate today's growing landscape of salon and spa technology. In this guide, you'll find a curated look at more than 50 of the latest software platforms, digital solutions, and innovative features to help you compare options and identify the best fit for your business.
Looking Inward: With Community at Its Heart, Davines Reinvents Its Pro Channel for North America
The Davines Edit reflects the brand’s passion for people and planet.
by Anne Moratto
RÜTE Wash Launches Shower Cap Designed for Crown Washing and Hair Extensions
RÜTE Wash introduces a shower cap designed specifically for crown washing, helping clients with hair extensions cleanse the scalp while protecting the lengths from water.
by Anne Moratto
Premiere San Antonio Returns as a Must-Attend Beauty Trade Show in the Southwest
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.
by Anne Moratto
MODERN SALON Boot Camp Is Coming to Philadelphia
One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
by Anne Moratto
Reddit Releases Its First Beauty-Specific Report: Conversations Around Beauty, Hair, Nail, and Skincare
According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.
by Anne Moratto
Entries Are Open for Wella Professionals’ Trend Vision Awards 2026
Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.
by Anne Moratto
Black Beauty Roster Hosts Beauty Expo Presented by SalonCentric in NYC
The BBR Beauty Show featured a prominent speaker lineup including Lacy Redway, Karrueche Tran, Danessa Myricks, Chelley B., Sabrina Elba, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and more.
by Staff
Pro Beauty Pulse: A Monthly View of Industry Confidence
The Professional Beauty Association and Pivot Point team up to develop an ongoing study that measures the confidence of salon owners, stylists, school owners, and students.
by Stacey Soble
ASCP, ISPA and PBA Receive 2026 Power of Associations Award for Esthetics Licensure Compact
This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.
by Stacey Soble
In Dubai, Clients Visit the Salon Every Week. Here’s What That Market Can Teach You
In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai