A group of lucky students from Federico Beauty Institute recently travelled to London as part of a Pivot Point International study abroad trip. While in London they studied at the Vidal Sassoon Advanced Academy with acclaimed instructor, and International Artistic Director for Pivot Point, Yolly Ten Koppel. Yolly leads the Pivot Point Design Forum series, which showcases new trends, styles, and step by step instructions bi-annually. Joining them on the trip was the Owner of Federico Beauty Institute, Gary Federico.

“To be able to provide these students with a chance to travel the world and work with famous beauty industry professionals like Yolly is wonderful,” said Gary. “It is inspiring to see these students hard at work, exploring new cities and designs."

After arriving at Heathrow Airport, students took a tour of the city. They saw some of the biggest places in the city, like Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, and more! After the bus tour, students had the chance to shop in one of the trendiest areas of the city – Camden Lock. The open air markets and shops in this part of the city were filled with great accessories and fashion! Later in the evening, after checking into the Corus Hotel Hyde Park, students enjoyed dinner at a local pub.

On the second day in the city, our students travelled to the Tower of London, where they saw the British Crown Jewels. After leaving the Tower, they headed to St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower Bridge. After spending the morning touring these historic landmarks, they had time to head out into the city and explore, using London’s famous “Tube” subway system.

Federico students arrived bright and early at Vidal Sassoon Advanced Academy. They worked closely with Yolly, learning how to create sculptured, layered hairstyles using razor tools. After spending all day working hard to master these new techniques, students then travelled to Chinatown to enjoy a delicious dinner!

On the student’s second day of training at Pivot Point, they learned even more hair sculpting techniques, practicing these new styles on mannequins. In addition to learning technique, Yolly also discussed the importance of retailing in a salon. She explained how to incorporate professional products into every service, encouraging students to recommend the products to their clients.

After two long, hard days of work at Vidal Sassoon, students enjoyed a few days off to see some more sights in and around London, such as Hampton Court Palace. Originally built in 1514, the palace hasn’t had members of the royal family living there since the 1700’s. The following day, students headed to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater to experience Elizabethan costumes, theater, and stories. After checking out The Globe, they headed next door to the Tate Modern museum to see the work of famous artists like Picasso. To finish off this busy day, the whole group finally travelled to London’s West End to see the show We Will Rock You, based on the music of the band Queen.

The final day of the trip was a free day for students to explore the city of London. After eating breakfast at the hotel, students headed off to travel across London using The Tube.

After a whirlwind week, the Federico students headed home, bursting with excitement, experiences, and education! Thanks to Pivot Point International, and the commitment of the Federico Beauty Institute family, these students were able to experience something that many beauty school students miss out on. Studying abroad is a unique opportunity at Federico Beauty Institute, and gives students the chance to see the world, study with famous educators, and become inspired by the international cities they visit!

Alison Shipley, Senior Editor at Modern Salon Magazine was also on the trip. She is currently attending a Pivot Point school in Bloomingdale, Illinois and blogs about her experiences here.