It was quite a journey for the select artists who recently attended the TIGI Inspirational Youth Boot Camp in NYC recently.  The ten participants were chosen from hundreds of applicants and attended the intensive 5-day workshop at the TIGI New York Academy in SOHO to develop and advance as hairdressers, individuals and as a team.

TIGI Inspirational Youth is a program close to TIGI International Artistic Director and Founder Anthony Mascolo’s heart. Mascolo started the program to foster the growth of young hairdressers and to provide them with mentors to share their knowledge and techniques with them the way his older brothers did for him. “When I began my career, my brothers gave me the opportunity, support and inspiration to experience photo shoots and shows, which gave me invaluable skills," says Mascolo. "In turn, I want to provide today’s young hairdressers with the chance to grow their talent. They are the future of our industry.”

The week was intense including hands-on, presentation skill direction, interaction with key TIGI artists, a model casting and a photo shoot that will be shared in September.

Here is a breakdown of the week:

Day 1

The week kicked off with a TIGI International Creative Team introduction from Renee Valerie (TIGI US Technical Education Director of the TIGI Academy), Adriana Papaleo (TIGI US Session Director), Akos Bodi (TIGI European Creative Director), Thomas Osborn (TIGI US Creative Director), Christel Lundqvist (TIGI Global Creative Technical Director), Mike Esa (TIGI Executive Creative Session Director) and Richy Kandasamy (TIGI US Creative Technical Director and Creative Colorist) followed by an introduction from each participant followed by a fashion trends presentation from Papaleo. Papaleo then teamed up with Bodi and offered a Catwalk session styling hair demo and the participants did a workshop creating looks they learned about on mannequins.

Day 2

Esa gave a “Perfect Presentation Skills” session to help the participants learn how to improve their speaking and explanation techniques when presenting to an audience. The 2014 Inspirational Youth Winner, Carly Rae Coady also spoke about her experience after going through the program. The students paired off and gave presentations about each other’s hair and were given critique and feedback from Esa and Osborn on their delivery.

Day 3

The third day was all about cut and color. The TIGI International Creative Team gave a presentation and demonstrated different techniques on models and the students then practiced their learnings on mannequins. Students were also using the “TIGI 24/7” app.  an interactive app that includes access to a complete library of color and cutting techniques with videos and step-by-steps, an advanced interactive drawing board, inspirational color mood boards and the ability for users to make in-app bookings for Academy courses.

Day 4

The team gave a presentation to the students on how to properly cast models for shoots including what characteristics to look for and how to properly assess models to ensure they could be the right fit. Then, models were brought in and casted for the shoot that the students would be executing the next day. 

Day 5

Shoot day! The students conducted a full shoot themselves from start to finish by prepping the models and directing the photography. 

(all photos by Alex Barron-Hough)