The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation (BCL), created by the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) to build awareness of the career opportunities in the beauty wellness, and massage therapy industries, in conjunction with Cosmetologists Chicago (CC), announced that the 2015 Legacy Award honoring Pivot Point International's Founder Leo Passage will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at the Art Institute of Chicago. The evening will kick off America’s Beauty Show (March 21-23, 2015, McCormick Place, Chicago).

The event will posthumously honor the contributions that Passage made to the beauty industry and his  vision for cultivating NEXTGEN talent.  The award also serves as a fundraiser for BCL’s scholarship and mentoring programs. The BCL Foundation  provides scholarships to deserving students choosing a career as a beauty professional.

Open to and encompassing the entire beauty industry that will be in Chicago for America’s Beauty Show that weekend, the Legacy event will be an interactive evening designed to spotlight young and future talent, dubbed NEXTGEN, and salute all beauty professionals.

The Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, on Michigan Avenue, will be the setting for an evening of music, open bar with specialty cocktails, a celebrity DJ, and an opportunity to mix and mingle .

 “My father believed wholeheartedly in providing hair, beauty and wellness professionals a thorough and complete education in their craft, as well as how to be successful," says Robert Passage, Pivot Point chairman/CEO, 2^nd vice president of Cosmetologists Chicago and treasurer of BCL. "My family continues to support his beliefs through the Leo Passage Endowment Fund, to be implemented through BCL, which will provide lifelong learning opportunities for students and professionals as well as scholarships and competition support. We are honored that Leo Passage should receive the Beauty Changes Lives Legacy Award in his hometown of Chicago.”

Trilogy of Beauty

The centerpiece of the evening will be an after-dark presentation by event sponsors entitled “Trilogy of Beauty.” Beauty brands will present their interpretations of the Trilogy of Beauty by their NEXTGEN talents, who will be coached by master artist mentors.

Attendees will have the chance to capture the trend-setting hair and total fashion looks on their mobile devices, and share with their own beauty communities. Each team with the vision spearheaded by NEXTGEN, will showcase models representing Street Wear, Underground and Avant Garde/Haute Couture looks, epitomizing the Trilogy of Beauty.

As an added bonus for beauty artists attending, a special viewing of the Modern European Galleries, housing many of the Bauhaus works that inspired Leo Passage in his early years in Chicago, will be available during the evening. Guests will also receive a highly valued gift bag.

The BCL 2015 Legacy Award Honoring Leo Passage, featuring the Trilogy of Beauty will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015.

Tickets are available at www.AmericasBeautyShow.com/LegacyAward for just $60, and can be purchased when registering for attendance at America’s Beauty Show. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit BCL.

The Legacy Award

BCL instituted the Legacy Award to honor individuals in the professional beauty industry whose body of work has left an indelible mark on the industry for this, and many generations to come. Previous awardees were Vidal Sassoon, who changed haircutting and the salon business along with it, and Tippi Hedren, who elevated the skills of Asian nail technicians and salons.

2015 Legacy Award Honors Leo Passage

Leo Passage, founder of Pivot Point International, Inc., Evanston, IL, encouraged those he met worldwide to follow their hearts and their dreams. His personal life mission became his company’s mission: through Pivot Point education Leo Passage inspired millions of beauty artists and designers around the world. Throughout his life, and until his death May 11, 2011, he continued to care about his biggest passions: his family, Pivot Point and his hairdressing students around the world.

"Leo Passage epitomized the mission of BCL showcasing the art of cosmetology as a premier career," says Lynelle Lynch, president of Beauty Changes Lives and CEO of Bellus Academies. "We are honored to celebrate his legacy, passion and tremendous impact on the Beauty Industry with the Legacy Award. Leo Passage’s passion for competition and lifelong learning will thrive as we celebrate his legacy through BCL.”

Denise Provenzano, president of Cosmetologists Chicago, concluded, “America’s Beauty Show represents the future of our industry, of our salons and of our profession, as it has throughout its 93-year heritage. Leo Passage was a treasured member of Cosmetologists Chicago for many years. We are privileged to support the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation with this extraordinary event during our America’s Beauty Show in Chicago.”

For more information about Beauty Changes Lives, visit www.beautychangeslives.org.

For more information about America's Beauty Show, visit www.AmericasBeautyShow.com.

For more information about Pivot Point International, visit www.pivot-point.com.