Leo Passage serves as a huge influence for hairdressing professionals all over the world. Best known for creating the education system Pivot Point, Passage’s love of learning and passion for teaching led him to develop a hairdressing education for salon owners, leaders and educators worldwide.
Passage’s own influence came from studying the Bauhaus approach to design and art, which he applied to the hairdressing industry to create a universal language. Passage said this universal language “allows hair designers around the world to be united in the same education, using the same language.”
Passage participated in hairdressing competitions, where he could challenge and channel his creativity and skills, and eventually he won over 95 awards. Throughout the 50s and 60s, while he was serving his own clients, he also taught training for competitions in his own salon. Soon, his reputation began to grow and he was traveling all over the country, teaching for product companies and association conventions.
In 1962, Passage opened the Pivot Point Beauty School in the north side of Chicago. Within 5 decades, what started out as 5 students in one classroom expanded into a network of over a million people across 80 countries. Passage’s goal was to take out the guesswork and develop a systematic, proven system to create reliable results each time. This system, called the Pivot Point Difference, addressed the hows and whys of hairdressing and embraced his vision for precision and beauty. Through his involvement in the National Cosmetology Association (NCA) and the Chicago Cosmetologists’ Association (CCA), Passage continued to actively teach and educate the members about US trend collections.
In 2008, the L.E.O. (Leadership, Education and Outstanding) Award was created in his name, passing down his legacy of innovation and education. The award is given out annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the hairdressing profession.
All of us in the industry – whether we’re hairdressers, educators or collaborators – have been inspired by Passage one way or another during our education and career paths, and his vision and teachings will continue to live among us. We will always remember him for his humility and generosity of spreading his knowledge, and also for his role as a mentor and industry leader who taught us that a strong education, definite goals, and passion and desire will make us become leaders in the profession.
Remembering Leo Passage
Leo Passage serves as a huge influence for hairdressing professionals all over the world. Best known for creating the education system Pivot Point, Passage’s love of learning and passion for teaching led him to develop a hairdressing education for salon owners, leaders and educators worldwide.
Passage’s own influence came from studying the Bauhaus approach to design and art, which he applied to the hairdressing industry to create a universal language. Passage said this universal language “allows hair designers around the world to be united in the same education, using the same language.”
Passage participated in hairdressing competitions, where he could challenge and channel his creativity and skills, and eventually he won over 95 awards. Throughout the 50s and 60s, while he was serving his own clients, he also taught training for competitions in his own salon. Soon, his reputation began to grow and he was traveling all over the country, teaching for product companies and association conventions.
In 1962, Passage opened the Pivot Point Beauty School in the north side of Chicago. Within 5 decades, what started out as 5 students in one classroom expanded into a network of over a million people across 80 countries. Passage’s goal was to take out the guesswork and develop a systematic, proven system to create reliable results each time. This system, called the Pivot Point Difference, addressed the hows and whys of hairdressing and embraced his vision for precision and beauty. Through his involvement in the National Cosmetology Association (NCA) and the Chicago Cosmetologists’ Association (CCA), Passage continued to actively teach and educate the members about US trend collections.
In 2008, the L.E.O. (Leadership, Education and Outstanding) Award was created in his name, passing down his legacy of innovation and education. The award is given out annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the hairdressing profession.
All of us in the industry – whether we’re hairdressers, educators or collaborators – have been inspired by Passage one way or another during our education and career paths, and his vision and teachings will continue to live among us. We will always remember him for his humility and generosity of spreading his knowledge, and also for his role as a mentor and industry leader who taught us that a strong education, definite goals, and passion and desire will make us become leaders in the profession.
Sources:
50 Influential Hairdressers: Educators (Modern Salon)
Leo Passage—An Inspiration, Mentor And Creative Force (Pivot Point)
Photo Credits:
OMC Hair World
Wellington Nemeth