Congratulations to the Aveda Institute St. Pete for being 2010 Winner of the Institute Artistic Team Competition for Educators.  The team consisted of Mike Mercado – Colorist, Ronnie April – Stylist, and Sherri Harper – Makeup Artist.  Thank you for your inspiration and dedication.

Aveda Institute South Florida has been awarded “3 Green Globes” environmental award for design, impact and sustainability.  And is the first business in the state of Florida to receive this certification.  Congratulations South Florida, we are proud to have you representing our Aveda Institute network.

Aveda proudly congratulates Steve Elias, named Editorial Hairstylist of the Year, and Patrick Mathes, winner of the Student Hairstylist of the Year Award at the Professional Beauty Association’s North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA).  Steve is a master stylist at Elixir Salon Spa in Berkeley, CA and Patrick is a graduate of the Aveda Fredric’s Institute Indianapolis, IN.   NAHA salutes technical and excellence and artistic expression in hairdressing, as well as salon design aesthetic and beauty business acumen.  Aveda network artists earned a total of 12 NAHA finalist nominations across 13 award categories;  winners were announced at NAHA Awards Show on Sunday July 18 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Federic Holzberger, Aveda tribal elder and founder of Aveda Fredric’s Institutes, was also inducted into the NAHA Hall of Leaders; a recognition of outstanding contribution to the hair and beauty industry.  Fredric is founder, CEO, and president of Aveda Fredric’s Institute and founder of Project Daymaker, a “salon-on-wheels” that travels throughout the Cincinnati area to social service organizations.  Philanthropists at heart, Fredric and his family have established the Holzberger Family Humanitarian Foundation, which grants financial resources to non-profit organizations working to better our world.

Fredric was honored by Aveda at a reception preceding the NAHA Awards Show.  ” Aveda is a special brand built by exceptional people; if Fredric Holzberger were not here, many of us would not be here,” said Antoinette Benders, global creative director for Aveda.  “Fredric embodies the spirit and unity of business, philanthropy and the environment.”

NAHA finalists were also celebrated for their achievement at the Aveda reception.  “Aveda is so proud of all nominees,” stated Beenders.  “Having earned a NAHA nomination is in itself a phenomenal achievement-we admire their devotion to continued learning and artistic evolution.”

As we’re all painfully aware, the massive oil spill in the gulf is having devastating effects on ecosystems and communities.  The organizations Matter of Trust has orchestrated an extraordinary effort to collect hair and fur clippings that are recycled into booms and mats for oil cleanup.  Salons have been active participants in this program, helping to turn a natural material into a solution during this environmental disaster. 

Aveda recently spoke with Matter of Trust to learn more about their progress in the gulf.  Matter of Trust is continuing their hair collection and expects to have 25 miles of hair boom assembled by the end of this week and made available for the oil cleanup.  Municipal public works departments, harbors, and emergency management teams in Gulf States such as Florida and Alabama are actively using the hair booms to protect their coastline and beaches.  The natural buoyancy and absorbency of hair make it a viable solution for removing oil from eater.  The oil-soaked hair booms also break down more efficiently with minimal off-gassing since they’re made primarily of natural materials.  See Matter of Trusts video demonstrating the effectiveness of their booms.

There is an ongoing need for hair clippings to support Matter of Trust’s hair boom program.  Hair clippings donated by institutes and salons can contribute to the cleanup in the gulf and also help with the 2,600 other oils spills that happen each year around the world.  Anyone wishing to donate first needs to sign up online through the donor database program at www.excessaccess.org.  You cannot donate hair unless you have registered through this site.  The sign up is free and anyone can do it – schools, salons, groomer, individuals…After signing up, Matter of Trust will end an email with the instructions and mailing address for shipping hair clippings.  Learn more at www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo2.html.

The Aveda Institute network has responded in a BIG way.  We have joined forces and are collecting all hair clippings for the Hair Mat Oil Spill Program.  These clippings are being sent out to 13 different locations and aid in the Gulf clean up.

Aveda is proud to be a sponsor of Tapped, a film focusing on the Water Crisis at home and around the world. http://www.tappedthefilm.com.  As the tour truck travels across the country, people can trade in their plastic water bottle for a reusable water bottle.  And all caps will be collected and given to the Aveda Cap Program.

Starting World Water Day and ending on Earth Day, April 22, line producer Sarah Olson and director Stephanie Soechtig are driving across the country urging Americans to Get Off The Bottle!  The Tapped Tour Truck, boldly displaying the Aveda logo, is visiting cities across the US.  Is it coming to your town?  See below and visit the truck or screening in your area. http://www.tappedthefilm.com/tapped-travel-map.php

The tour culminates on Earth Day at the Aveda Walk For Water in NYC.  10% of proceeds from the film purchased that  day will go to the NY Earth Month partner, Clean Water Action.

The Institute Artistic Team Competition has been created this year to celebrate Aveda Institute Educators for their talent, passion and dedication to being on the cutting edge of their craft.  The Institute Artistic team Competition is designed to showcase our Educators to fellow team members, students and the Aveda network.  The competition will inspire future educators and students by combining teamwork creativity.  And the best thing, the PRIZE!!!  The winning educator team will be honored by participating alongside top industry professionals at one runway show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York this September.

the runways – and Twitter – like never before!  We’re inviting our fans to go backstage with Aveda, via Twitter, to get an inside look at the runway’s trend-setting hairstyles.  Consumers will also be invited to win the Aveda products used to create the season’s looks through @_Aveda’s daily giveaway offers.  To toast our Twitter launch, we’ve invited twenty five influential beauty bloggers to participate in Aveda’s first annual Tweet-up on February 9th.  Our guests will learn how to recreate the season’s top hair trends and garner key styling tips from Aveda Master Stylists, Kurt Lowry and Jimmy Keaton.  Exclusive videos and behind-the-scenes photos will be posted throughout Fashion Week on Aveda’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The Aveda Institute Charlotte teamed up with local photographers to give back to the less fortunate during the holiday season.  The institute partnered with Help-Portrait, a worldwide group founded by a celebrity photographer with a vision to provide individuals with portraits they would cherish forever.  Students and staff volunteered their time to do hair styling, makeup applications and rituals for groups such as the homeless, pregnant teens, battered women and some people who had simply never had their pictures taken before.  Thank you to the Charlotte team for serving as exemplary ambassadors of the Aveda mission!

“The most moving thing about this experience was not only touching the hearts of all the people we were able to reach that day, but to see the students and staff truly go above and beyond in order to give back to our society.  It was amazing to see that it wasn’t just about doing hair and make-up that day -it was about one person reaching out to touch another person.  The experience was an incredibly humbling, one which words can not explain.  Many of the participants who came with some skepticism, feeling a bit awkward and insecure, were striking a pose for the cameras by the end of the day.  That is what I remember most.” -Aveda Institute Charlotte

The Aveda Institute Charlotte would like to thank our very own cosmetology student, Ryan Harmening, for asking us to help make these individuals who have suffered many hardships feel like supermodels for a day!

The Aveda Institute Denver and the “I Have A Dream” Foundation inspired 11 young girls about our industry and choosing Aveda Institute Denver as their future.  Going forward AI Denver will be hosting regular events at their location to educate them about up-do styling, makeup application, skincare and body care.  The first event is scheduled for January 12, 2010.  AI Denver is thrilled to be connected to this great organization and Aveda is proud to have AI Denver in our network.  Thanks for all that you do for your community.