Candy Shaw, celebrity stylist, founder of Sunlights Balayage and the maker and purveyor of the world’s leading balayage products and education, was named ‘Educator of the Year’ by Intercoiffure America/Canada at a black-tie awards gala held at New York’s Hilton Hotel on October 8, 2017. The award is named for the legendary Leo Passage, the founder of modern beauty education. Robert Passage, the chairman of Pivot Point International, presented Candy with the coveted award in his father’s name.
“Of all the honors I’ve received this by far means the most,” Shaw says. “My father, Jamison Shaw, a former world-champion competition hairdresser, looked to Leo as a mentor. Leo Passage influenced an entire generation of hairdressers. Knowing what Leo and Pivot Point have done for the student throughout the years makes me proud to represent the educators of our industry. I’m proud to be one of them,” Shaw says.
Intercoiffure America/Canada is the world’s most prestigious salon organization comprised of the top one percent of salons around the globe. The international organization is headquartered in Paris and the North American chapter gathers in Manhattan each fall to share ideas and showcase upcoming hair and fashion trends.
Past recipients of Intercoiffure’s Leo Passage ‘Educator of the Year’ Award include Vivienne Mackinder, a NAHA Lifetime Achievement Award winner; Luis Alvarez, founder of Aquage; and Frank Gambuzza, the reigning President of Intercoiffure America/Canada. Gambuzza was joined on stage by Robert Passage in naming Shaw the award’s fourth recipient.