ASIAN HAIRCUT ACADEMY

A Japanese international professional salon product company SHISEIDO Beauty Company (SBC) will be hosting an Super Advanced Hair Cutting Academy at Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane on 17t ,18th and 19th August 2004 cooperating with Ms. Sachiko Tominaga, Representative of International Cooperation NGO IV-JAPAN. A total of 21 top expert hair stylists have been selected from Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand to participate in this event.

A special guest, Mr. Tiger Kitagawa, very famous hair stylist from Japan, will also demonstrate his latest trend of hair fashion.

The main objective of this event is to give to young and newly graduated Lao hairstylists and beauticians from IV-JAPAN Vocational Training Centre, the opportunity to see the demonstration of the latest haircutting techniques and the chance to learn and upgrade their hairstyling skills.

180 young models have already been selected for the visiting SBC hairstylists to showcase the latest design in hair styling. SBC is the subsidiary at Shiseido Co. Ltd. which is one of the leading cosmetic companies in the world.

SBC has been supporting IV-JAPAN Vocational Training Centre in Vientiane for the past 4 years, by supplying their products and by sending experienced hairdressing teachers from O.C.C. Co. Ltd. which is a distributor of SHISEIDO professional products in Thailand, to conduct hairdressing and beauty salon courses.

Besides providing hairdressing and beauty salon courses, IV-JAPAN also conducts Cooking, Dressmaking, Furniture Making, Construction and Small Business Management Courses. IV-JAPAN has been implementing community development
project in Xiengkhouang for 10 years.

After 4 months of basic and intermediate courses IV-JAPAN started the 6 months training on Restaurant, Hairdressing, Beauty Salon and also Boutique for the trainees to have more experiences in managing small business and also in marketing. Students at IV-JAPAN Vocational Training centre are selected from the disadvantaged groups in term of education and employment opportunities. This year's trainers included 2 expert volunteers from an Australian NGO- Australian Business Volunteers. One Australian chef conducted a course in western cooking, another Australian volunteer dressmaking teacher taught advance dressmaking course.

At the most recent end of training courses ceremony, held on 11th August 2004,57 young Lao students received their certificates. From past experiences, all of graduates from IV-JAPAN Vocational Training Centre went on to find themselves jobs or were able to start their own business. IV-JAPAN is very proud to be able to assist young people from the disadvantaged families.

Interview with Mr. Tiger Kitagawa by Aluna Thavonsouk

Aluna: Is this your first time in Laos ?

Mr. Tiger: Yes, indeed!

Aluna: Did you have any expectation about Laos before visiting?

Mr. Tiger: Yes, I at first thought that Laos would be very similar to Thailand since you live next to each other. However, I found Laos more primitive and relaxing.

Aluna: If you have three words to describe Laos what would they be?

Mr. Tiger: um……….Warm hearted, Primitive, and Trusted

Aluna: What was your impression on Lao girls (especially who came to be your models)?

Mr. Tiger: They are very natural; especially with their hair … it's got a natural looking since they do not dye their hair. One thing that is interesting, when I cut their hair, their eyes got brighter and brighter.

Aluna: In your opinion, which hairstyle suits Lao girls?

Mr. Tiger: It should be kept natural with long hair at the back and shorter in the front. The hairdresser can design how the front should be played in order to fit the facial structure of the person.

Aluna: In your opinion, apart from the Lao traditional hairstyle, which is tied up to top like a bundle, is there any other hairstyle that can fit well with the Lao traditional dress?

Mr. Tiger: In my point of view, lift the hair up is very beautiful and still suitable, but maybe if we can spread the top out like this (Mr. Tiger drew out the style on paper):

Aluna: Would you please give your opinion on the trend of the hairstyle in 2004?

Mr. Tiger: um….I think, it depends on many things, such as the culture, the life style and the weather of each country. Take Laos as an example, the weather is quite hot so shorter hair might be the trend, plus most of Lao girls have a tiny body, shorter hair will make them look taller as well.