anci Lee has always had a passion for fine art. It was while she was working on her art degree at university that she was introduced to the idea of becoming a hairstylist. She explained: “When I was a student working on campus, one of my coworkers had grown up in a family of hairdressers. She looked over at me one day and said, ‘You know, you would be a fantastic hairstylist.’ It was an idea that really excited me, but asking my father who was a professor to drop out of university to pursue it was not an easy feat. “Despite this, I enrolled in beauty school in Memphis, Tennessee, and it wasn’t long until my background in fine arts started to pay off. I would do little things like painting tiny detailed pictures on nails. The woman who owned my beauty school also owned a beautiful high-end salon, seeing the work I had been doing, she offered me a job as an assistant. “From there, I got the amazing opportunity to work with Robert Cromeans, Paul Mitchell and Horst Rechelbacher, right at the beginning of my career. I think because I was able to meet these artists who went on to become some of the biggest names in the industry, it showed me the possibilities that were out there for hairstylists. “I still wanted to finish my art degree, so I moved to New Mexico and worked in Mark Pardo’s Salon while going to university part-time. Art School helped me develop color and design principles to add depth to my creative abilities in the hair world. The next thing I wanted to do was move to a bigger city, either New York or Los Angeles. The deciding factor was based mainly on the climate, I don’t like cold weather, so I decided to go to LA. “The first salon was Dean Rhoades Salon in Beverly Hills. Dean was awesome ,he was always trying the newest and latest trends and services such as lash perms (what we now think of as lash lifts) and eyebrow tattooing (microblading). He encouraged us to learn everything and anything. Extensions in the late 90s, early 2000s were becoming more popular but clients had misconceptions about them, that they damaged the hair, etc. Dean wanted us to learn how to do extensions and apply them correctly. So, I went to see the ISSE in Long Beach, and when I found the Great Lengths booth I had their extensions put into my own hair. I was immediately hooked! Great Lengths had an established education program so if I were to offer them in the salon, I would know exactly how to apply them safely, without damaging the hair. “After attending the class I was fortunate enough to have five or six clients waiting in line for extensions. That was the beginning, it was the best choice I ever made.” Nanci Lee then went on to work with Kim Vō who still owns the salon she works at today. Together they worked on television shows like American Idol, and Extreme Makeover. “As time went on I started getting more involved with Great Lengths, eventually becoming an educator for them and they’ve been stuck with me for the last 15 years!” These days, Nanci splits her time between working as a senior stylist in the Kim Vō Salon in West Hollywood and working for Great Lengths USA, educating and creating editorial and social content for the brand. Nanci added: “I am truly honored to work with amazing members of the industry like photographer Richard Monsieurs, and Great Lengths Executive Artistic Director Danielle Keasling. Photo shoots are something I love doing and I am so lucky to have a balance between having this creative outlet while also getting to travel and educate the next generation of extension stylists.” Since the early 2000s, the market for hair extensions has grown astronomically but Great Lengths’ status in the industry remains consistently high. I asked Nanci why she believes Great Lengths has remained as top dog for so long. She said: “The number one thing for me is the ethicality of the sourcing of Great Lengths’ hair. Our hair is chosen from a select few temples in India where all the hair is donated willingly. The money paid to the temple goes back to service the community. The hair then goes to our factory in Italy. It’s funny; in America, when we think of the word “factory”, we think of a grey and smoggy industrial park. In contrast, the factory in Italy is nothing like I could have imagined. It’s a family-owned company out in the Italian countryside, more of a picnic location than a factory! The processing itself makes a very low impact on the natural environment, using non-toxic materials and recyclable water. Everything about creating Great Length’s extensions is transparent, traceable and ethical, they are blended by hand, and of the highest quality possible. “I compare Great Lengths’ extensions to a Rolls Royce or Louis Vuitton Bag: a product that is extremely well made with every detail considered. Every product is consistent and of premium quality. Everyone who works for Great Lengths is proud of what we do. That’s why I have stuck around for all these years!” Another thing that sets Great Length apart is its commitment to quality education. I asked Nanci to tell us a little bit about what is offered in the Great Lengths class. She said: “We teach everything, from learning how to consult with a client to marketing and social media. We give our students a three-page questionnaire for their clients to ensure a through consultation. We also teach stylists how to educate their clients on proper maintenance of their hair in between appointments. Then, of course, we teach the different application methods which we dedicate a whole day to getting hands-on experience. We also go through hair cutting techniques and how to blend the extensions into the natural hair. We talk about chemical services, colouring the extensions, perming them, and so on. We even go into how to market extensions as a service, and how to endorse them on social media. “Every classroom is a little bit different, so we always make the effort to get to know the students, their experience, and what they are wanting to get out of the class. From there I can cater the lesson to fit them more specifically. Sometimes I get brand new stylists who are still assisting and sometimes I get stylists who have 20 years under their belt and want to add another skill to their repertoire. Great Lengths’ classes are always flexible to suit their needs. “Another thing I do is I always give out my contact information as well as the contact details of the Great Lengths support team. I want my students to know that they can always DM me or call me up if they have questions or need a reminder or two. We are always there to help, and we don’t want our stylists to be shy if they have a question.” “Presently, we are supplying all of the stylists who take our course with some extensions so they can immediately start an application when they return home. I encourage them to start on family, friends or enthusiastic clients for their first few customers. It’s a great way of getting more experience and getting more comfortable with the techniques.” I asked Nanci Lee what she loves most about teaching the next generation of Great Lengths’ stylists. She said: “The thing I love about educating for Great Lengths is just knowing how extensions can enhance a stylist's career. One of the things I love about sharing the skill of extensions is knowing that we are giving stylists access to a whole other creative outlet. Extensions open so many doors and possibilities for stylists to be creative and try new things. On the other hand, knowing that we are also giving stylists an opportunity for financial freedom. You know that saying, ”work smarter, not harder”? Well, that’s what extensions are all about. The amount of money you are able to make in a short period of time is amazing, and incredibly liberating for stylists. “It’s also about stability. One thing that amazed me during Covid was that I did not lose one extension client. I actually gained three! Extension clients are dedicated clients, especially when you use Great Lengths. I know from personal experience that the product is so good you get addicted. Your hair always looks good, and you feel great too. I have clients who have lost their hair for medical reasons, I have clients who are up in front of audiences, professors, judges. There is no one type of extension client. They are all just people who know what makes them feel beautiful, and they stick with it!” For readers out there who are determined to bring hair extensions into their salon, I asked Nanci Lee what advice she has and where to get started. She said: “I think the most important thing is for stylists to do their research before choosing a brand. Look at a bunch of options and try to find one that is the best for you. The main things I would look out for are that the company can ensure you will be getting a consistent product every time, that you’re going to get a thorough education on application and so on, and that you are making sure your methods, techniques and the extensions themselves are not going to damage the hair. Choose your clients carefully to ensure a successful result. Make sure you are educated, your clients are educated, and you are putting your clients’ hair health in your best interest.”
Alessia is a nurse, one of those people who have witnessed closely the disastrous effects of the Covid Emergency. She became a symbol of the dramatic days we lived with the famous photo of her face showing the painful marks left by the high protection mask worn throughout the working shift. Alessia posted it on social media and openly confesses her fear of contamination, the physical discomfort of working in those conditions, and the psychological fatigue caused by the tension accumulated. The post became viral, and so did Alessia - amazed at the solidarity received. Alessia looks at the future as a chance to approach a new beginning: changing peacefully our minds, bodies, and relationships. Watch the interview and listen to the Voice of Alessia Bonari!
Hillary Jocson lives in Milan, the city of fashion, where one of the most popular jobs here is modeling. Hillary tells us her story of a model “sui generis”. She uses her social media to show the behind-the-scenes of photoshoots she takes part. She has a message of empowerment for girls who would like to approach fashion but don't even try because they find themselves unsuitable and uninteresting. As if to say: 'Hey girls, look here, do not be the first judge of yourselves, do not stop for limits that you set yourselves. Just as I became a model, you too should chase your dream. It won't be easy, of course, but with no challenge, what's the taste? Watch the interview and discover Hillary Jocson!
Roberta is a pianist, composer, songwriter, and artistic director. Her life is full of passion for everything related to theaters, musicals, and soundtracks. She can manage different musical genres as jazz, swing, pop, contemporary, and ambient. In her latest concept album, released in 2019 for Warner Classics and titled “Disarm” Roberta experiments with unfamiliar sounds in contrast with the trendy piano minimalism. The message of her music is very clear: disarming is giving oneself to the other and allowing to let go, to accept us, to be free from fears, and to bring down the walls that we have built around us. The disarmament that Roberta talks about touches everyone, but we can achieve it only together. We can reach a state of disarmament if we trust each other and support each other, especially between women. Watch the interview!
Miza Mayi is a talented artist. Her beautiful voice can create a perfect mix between soul, electro-pop, electric jazz, lounge, and funky. She was born in Kinshasa, her father is Italian and her mother is Congolese, so she grew up between the cultures and traditions of both nations. The name she chose is the perfect summary of her “Voice”. Indeed, Miza means queen and Mayi means water (in Lingali, her mother tongue): “Water can be delicate and sweet but also destructive. My voice is like that too”, says Miza. She considers change as a constant in life. Therefore, being versatile becomes necessary when you want to live knowing how to approach every event. Her passion for music comes from the idea that music is a universal language capable of connecting people through sound vibrations. Versatility is the voice of Miza Mayi; listen to her interview to find out much more about her.
Health: this is the word that represents Michela Coppa's voice. After 10 years of working in television, she decided to let her passion become a real profession. Michela chooses Social Media channels to show a snapshot of her life; she started posting recipes related to her eating habits and diet. Her followers love her healthy and creative approach to cooking. After a trip to India, she enriched her research for a new lifestyle focused on soul and body with a new great passion: yoga. Yoga became an essential part of her life and Michela decided to share her experience with as many people as possible. Not only as a passion but also as a job. Today Michela is an entrepreneur in wellness training, holding healthy cooking and yoga courses. Her goal is to spread the message that yoga, combined with the right diet, helps you to live your life to the fullest. Taking care of our body and spirit teaches us to love ourselves more and to strengthen our resilience, which is fundamental in times of a pandemic. Michela’s biggest wish is to teach her daughter a healthy and conscious lifestyle, inspired by freedom and love. In the interview she gave us, Michela talks about acceptance, yoga, meditation, and the ideal world that she would like to give to her daughter. Watch the interview!
Angela Lei is a young businesswoman, born in Italy with Chinese roots. Thanks to her entrepreneurial spirit she decides soon to open a Chinese restaurant in Milan. Not a place like any other, but a place spreading out the gastronomic culture of her country. Her restaurant specializes in traditional cuisine from Wuhan, the region located in the southeast of China, at the confluence of the Han River with the Blue River. Angela is happy to be in Milan, where her effort is amply rewarded by the curiosity of her clients, passionate about the stories that she tells in the presentation of each recipe. Angela is an intercultural and brilliant woman who loves to share knowledge and experiences. Don't miss this interview
Sara Strambini is an actress and model. She promoted a new style of presenting TV shows, very ironic and engaging. Sara believes in the importance of the word “change”. She is one of those people who does not undergo change, but who seeks it. Today Sara continues to be an innovator, even cultivating a sense of authenticity without forgetting her origins. It's not a secret that she was born in a small provincial village, from a large family, and grew up with a patriarchal model. Despite the traditions her ideas are very progressive: organic food at km 0, enjoying the pleasures of food while respecting health, limiting travel, and preferring green vehicles. Watch the interview and listen to the voice brought by Sara Strambini!
Modern Salon October 18, 2021 Great Lengths USA, the leading company for professional-use only, premium hair extensions, has announced the appointment of award-winning hairstylist Justine Marjan as its U.S. Brand Ambassador. In her role as Great Lengths USA Brand Ambassador, Marjan will help to educate both the salon community as well as consumers about Great Lengths by serving as a voice and content creator through editorial, social media and industry events. As the leader in ethically sourced human hair, Great Lengths is the only extension brand that can guarantee ethicality based on tracking mechanisms the brand has in place, and Marjan will serve as a voice in educating the importance of quality and ethically sourced hair. “We couldn’t be more excited to have Justine on board,” says Michael Napolitano, Chief Executive Officer at HairUWear, Great Lengths USA’s parent company. “Her authority within the beauty industry will lend credibility and awareness to promote Great Lengths’ growth in the U.S., and we look forward to this partnership.” With over 15 years of experience styling hair, Marjan’s career began in the salon world prior to transitioning to celebrity and editorial styling. Her celebrity and editorial work has been featured in Teen Vogue, Glamour, Allure, Elle, InStyle, People Style, Refinery29, US Weekly and more. She was the lead hair stylist for 2019 and 2020’s Bravo’s Project Runway and she regularly serves as a judge for beauty awards held by various outlets, including Glamour and InStyle, and recently was a judge for the prestigious The North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) in 2020. A beauty influencer in her own right, Justine has over 400,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares her tips, tricks and client work with her fans and followers. “I’m thrilled to be working with Great Lengths to highlight their brand story with others and speak to the incredibly high quality of the products, since I so often use hair extensions on my own clients,” she says. “It’s a simple way to instantly transform their look. I also love that the brand uses double-drawn Remy hair that is ethically sourced, which makes every hairstyle look like it was created with healthy, natural hair.”
