Philip Pelusi, highly acclaimed master hair stylist, photographer and product artist and creator of Philip Pelusi® P2 and Tela Beauty Organics, the first USDA certified organic hair care line. Philip is recognized worldwide for his work. With 13 salons in the Greater Pittsburgh area and the famous Tela Design Studio in Manhattan, he has successfully branded himself and left a mark in the beauty industry.
This past Saturday March 5th, Philip Pelusi in collaboration with Be-Cause, hosted the sold-out Be-Cause Charity Kick-Off event, all proceeds going to Beauty Changes Lives (BCL).
Women’s Mafia (WM):
Looking back at everything you have accomplished professionally, was this the vision you had when you started your first hair studio 46 years ago?
Philip Pelusi (PP): To be the best that I could be. I opened my first salón when I was 20 years old. At that point I was only concerned about paying my bills. But I instinctively knew there was more to come.
WM:
How do you think the beauty industry has changed since then?
PP: Trends have changed, but the art of haircutting and the principals of growing a business never change. Each generation brings a different attitude and is reflected in the design. There will always be levels of good design and bad design within each generation or within each decade.
WM:
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?
PP: It is a work in progress, but for now, achieving the first USDA hair care body care product and introducing it to the beauty industry
WM:
We recently had the pleasure of attending the event you co-hosted with Be-Cause to raise funds for Beauty Changes Lives. Can you tell us about this charity and why you got involved?
PP: The beauty industry needs to meet the demands of the marketplace consumer. Right now there are not enough qualified cosmetologists to meet the consumers demand. There are great opportunities ahead. Through Beauty Changes Lives, we are making our profession available to deserving students and help give them a head start.
Models at the Be Cause event wearing the latest looks by Tela
WM:
You and your team have styled for various fashion shows for Womens Mafia and other shows during Fashion Week which is an open window to notice hair styling trends, can you share some of the ones you think are going to be most popular for Spring and Summer 2011?
PP: For cutting trends I see short layered cuts gamín to ear length. Styling trends — I see volume, but natural looking. The emphasis is on healthy shiny hair. Also, on the quality of hair. Staying away from the blowdryers and flat irons is on the rise.
Great looks to try: hair crimped and braided and woven in interesting ways. For evening: wear a chignon with an extreme side part.
Hair color will showcase sun kissed ends and look very deliberately grown out. Highlights are more dimensional but don’t look highlighted or painted on. The look is subtle and sophisticated.
Reporting by Carlos Aparicio for Women’s Mafia
More pictures of the event:
Brig Van Osten speaking
John Harms (CEO of Millenium Software) and Angie Katsanevas (Lunatic Fringe Salon)
Amy Michleb, Brian Buterbaugh, Brig Van Osten, April Barton from ShearGenius
Brian Buterbaugh, Brig Van Osten and "Spa Wars" author Lora Condon
Tela Design Studio Creative Director Jeffrey Reitz, Studio Director Jennifer Dannilchick, Founder Philip Pelusi and Women's Mafia Founder Marcy Clark
The Salon Guy interviewing Women's Mafia Founder Marcy Clark
Master Hair Stylist Ted Gibson Inspiring the crowd - I had chills!
Ted Gibson fundraising from the stage - the man charges $900 for a haircut, I see how he is soo great with money!
Models in Venexiana collection gown, with fresh hair styles by Tela Design Studio
Photos by: Arthur Eisenberg & Harms-software.com/juice/