The picturesque vistas and beautiful hues of the desert proved to be the perfect backdrop for the Redken Artist Connection, an informative and inspirational event held last January for Redken educators and key staff at the Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix, AZ.
 Redken's Sam Villa demonstrates his cutting expertise |
The four-day event, which drew some 700 attendees, kicked off with a grand gathering, where top Redken artists, including Chris Baran, global artistic director, design; Kris Sorbie, global artistic director, color; and Sam Villa, Redken global performing artist and design consultant, presented "Outrage"—Redken's Trend '06 collection featuring cutting-edge cuts and hues.
 The Redken team prepares to wow the crowd |
Day two began with a general session where Christine Schuster, senior vice president of education, Redken Worldwide, presented news about Redken's leading educational initiatives, including the company's new Haircolor Certification Program that recognizes and rewards exceptional and technically proficient colorists by helping them grow their business. Perks include listing their names on the www.redken.com Salon Finder, so that new clients can ask for them by name. Also speaking were Redken senior vice president and general manager of Redken 5th Avenue NYC Pat Parenty, who unveiled Redken's latest philanthropic project, a joint venture with b.cause that supports Second Harvest for a Hunger-Free America.
 Redken's Ann Mincey and Eduoard Roche |
Redken senior vice president of sales, John Woloshyn, and Redken's assistant vice president of communications, Shae Kalyani, shined a spotlight on Redken's PR and attention-grabbing advertising efforts. The agenda also featured an extensive array of interactive, "train-the-trainer" breakout sessions to spur creativity, motivate and enhance technical artistry.
 Redken educators participate in one of the many workshops |
Among the offerings: Design, Create Your Way; Color...Filling Your Pond; Creativity...What Is It?; Take the Workshop Out of Workshop; and Turn On Your Main Stage Switch. "A superior education program is one of the most important foundations and crucial aspects of our business," notes Parenty. "We pride ourselves on our talented artist network and are committed to helping them learn better, earn better and live better."
 An attendee perfects a technique on a mannequin head; an artist hones his cutting skills; Redken's Chris Baron, left, and Kris Sorbie; an attendee plots out a potential color technique on paper; Redken's Pat Parenty welcomes the crowd; American Salon's Kelley Donahue, left, with Redken's Eduoard Roche and Christine Schuster; attendees learned about Redken's philanthropic venture, b.cause; two attendees talk strategy in one of the sessions |