Arts
Formal to fantasy: Hair Art’s all set
The Ramani Fernando Sunsilk Hair and Beauty Academy plans to dazzle a Colombo audience this time around during Hair Art 2015 organised to mark the annual graduation ceremony of the academy.
Modelling for the press. Pix by Indika Handuwela
Apart from showcasing the talents and professionalism of the graduates, the event will celebrate the Academy’s decade-long contribution to shaping the future of Sri Lanka’s hair and beauty industry.
At a news briefing to announce Hair Art 2015, which will be held on December 8 at the Colombo Hilton, the media was given a sneak preview of some of the styles – from leisure wear and teenage styles to formal elegant upswept hairdos and fantasy styling to be showcased at the upcoming show. Fashion designer Senaka De Silva will choreograph Hair Art 2015.
Ramani Fernando said she started the Academy in 2005 with the idea of imparting her years of experience and knowledge in the field in a formal way.
Sunsilk offers around 25 scholarships a year with training opportunities at the Ramani Fernando Academy and such exposure helps the students navigate a successful career path in the industry.
“Over the past decade over 4000 students have undergone training at the Academy and it is overwhelming to see past students being successful in the industry,” she said.
At the news conference R to L: Senaka De Silva (Hair Art 2015 Choreographer), Lucky Lenagala (Managing Director, Ramani Fernando Training Pvt Ltd), Ramani Fernando (CEO, Ramani Fernando Salons), Nilushi Jayatilleke (Category Manager - Beauty Unilever SL), Channa Tennakoon (Communications Channel Manager, Unilever Sri Lanka) and Milinda Weerasinghe (Brand Manager, Sunsilk).
Ushani Nayanthara, who won the Best Sunsilk Student Award from the Academy last year is one of their success stories – Ushani who has opened her own salon in Galle today, recalled how she used to catch the 5.a.m train from Galle to come to the Academy in Colombo.
The award she received and the opportunity to be trained at Ramani Fernando Salons helped her reach her full potential, she said.
Managing Director, Ramani Fernando Training Pvt Ltd., Lucky Lenagala whom Ramani identifies as the most sought- after train the trainer in the region, who had also been a recipient of an international medal of excellence has been there since the inception of the Academy.
Over the past decade, she has seen the Academy grow from strength to strength. “We believe in quality training and with that we have achieved so many standards wining a number of medals of excellence. We keep raising the bar higher.”
Category Manager – Beauty, Unilever Sri Lanka Nilushi Jayatileke said that the Ramani Sunsilk synergy – the coming together of two industry leaders – a pioneer in the beauty industry and a number one brand – would take the hair and beauty industry forward. “People are taking beauty and fashion seriously.
In the past two years we have seen Sri Lankan women transform and taking very positive steps in the area of hair and beauty. So initiatives such as this, where Ramani has put out so much of talent into the industry and Unilever joining hands with Ramani, is the right thing to do,” she added.