East Lansing’s
Protégé Academy of Cosmetology is heating up the local fashion scene with hair fashions learned first-hand in Italy.
As part of a new study abroad program for cosmetologists, seven of the academy's students landed in busy, exciting Rome in early November. They caught the train to Italy's
Umbria region, where they took classes from top European hair styling experts.
The trip was quick—just over a week—but it gave them enough time to take a little bit of European chic home to East Lansing, including the hottest European hair styles and colors.
“For women it is very soft curls, long or short hair, soft hair coloring techniques," says Protégé's owner Lynn Seegraves. "Curls are back in volume, just a soft feminine look. For men, the hairstyles are longer hair lengths, unstructured cuts.”
“We are bringing the looks back, and we will close the time gap for Italian hair fashion to reach East Lansing,” she says.
A Taste of Rome at HomeThe Protégé group that traveled to Italy was the first group of cosmetology students in the state to go overseas as part of a cosmetology study abroad program. “The study abroad program is unique here in Michigan as well as in the rest of the States,” says Seegraves, whose maternal grand parents are from Italy.
“Perhaps because of the multi cultural nature of my family, I am intrigued with other cultures," she says. "I realize we are a small part of the whole."
Seegraves owns the Protégé Academy and its sister salon,
Hair and Body Elements, with her husband, Scott Comer.
Comer, who was also previously an independent businessman, shares her commitment to the art of hair fashion. He designed and built the urban, upscale concept for both the salon and the contemporary concept for the school.
Comer says he wants “to bring Italian fashion back to this area, since any of the big icons of the hair fashion industry have trained or originated in Europe and go there frequently to be inspired by the trends.”
"Tony and Guy, the hair fashion educators and icons of the industry who developed the
TiGi hair product lines we use at our school and salon—Bed Head and Catwalk—are from Italy,” he explains.
All About Studying AbroadSeegraves sees the study abroad program, sponsored by the Italian hair product company
Kemon, as an educational opportunity for her students. She says her students infuse the Lansing area with a new European sophistication, as they’ve been trained by European styling expertise from the Kemon hairstyle product labs in
Milan and
San Giustino.
The program will be available twice a year to students who have completed the basics, as well as qualifying graduates.
While in Italy, students worked in small, supervised classes with teachers trained in Europe. Students received instruction and experience in Italian and European fashion styling, cutting and coloring. As soon as the students return, they can offer services that draw on the new European style and color techniques they’ve learned.
Seegraves says that anyone interested in getting a trendy new Italian hairstyle and using all-natural products either at the school or the salon should request it.
“I think it’s important to learn from the best, and it’s fulfilling the student’s educational quest," she says. "The students are very thankful for innovative new opportunities.”
Elizabeth Sadler, 21, East Lansing, started at Protégé Academy in February 2008 and was one of the lucky students who traveled to Italy.
“This study abroad program is awesome, and I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity,” Sadler says. “I think it will benefit my career, and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit San Giustino, in the beautiful green heart of Italy.”
Growing GreenerSeegraves and Comer decided to bring the Kemon product line into East Lansing because the company creates organic products, using ingredients grown on Italian plantations that are closely regulated by the government.
“At the salon, we have a recycling program and many sulfate-free products,” Seegraves says. “I’ve always supported businesses with a greener approach.”
Seegraves has been carrying natural products since 1983, when she started her Kali’s natural fabric boutique chain. Being somewhat ahead of her time with natural fiber clothing, her Kali’s Boutique shops had a unique niche in the market. “We carried clothing styles from all around the world made from natural fiber,” she says.
Seegraves had a chain of eight Kali’s boutiques, some of which won awards for the best women’s clothing and best window displays. The boutiques were located in Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Steamboat Springs, Colo. and Ft. Collins, Colo. Seegraves closed Kali’s in 2000 in order to return to a career in hair fashion.
“My background as a natural fiber boutique owner came out of that commitment," she explains. "I garden organically and have an organic orchard without pesticides. And we recycle at home.”
Community and CultureSeegraves has carried her international, multi-cultural approach with her as she developed her strong reputation in the fashion industry.
“I worked closely with women’s cooperatives and small families and small designers around the globe and throughout the U.S," she says. "I have always been involved in international and national fashion.”
She also likes to stay involved with community events in the East Lansing area, and often works with traveling artists who visit the area.
“Recently bands like
Boys Like Girls and
Second Hand Serenade played a few doors down at Small Planet and they dropped in and enjoyed services," she says. "We also provided hair and massage services and products to the crew for the
Extreme Makeover Home Edition television program.”
Seegraves says her business is thriving, and the school "recently added another 1,800 square feet to our school due to expanding enrollment."
“I built my businesses here because I feel connected with the community and because and I have quite a heritage from people who were friends and customers at Kali’s.”
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Lynne Crandall is a newspaper columnist, writer, broadcaster, and press consultant in Okemos.
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of Trumpie Photography.
Photos: Students work at the school
A new hairdo for a mannequin
Elizabeth Sadler
Students at work
Kemon product line
Co-Owner Scott Comer
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie