Sunday night,  Luxelab family and friends huddled closely together in a jam-packed “bomb-shelter” awaiting the highly anticipated “AFTERMATH”. 

This spectacular show was produced by our newest graduate from Luxelab Academy’s “Stylist in Training” program, Melody Russ, as the culmination of all the education hard work from the past 2 years. And let the record reflect that she literally blew us away!

The production represented over a full year of planning everything from the music and conceptualizing the costumes to make-up, set and of course, let’s not forget the hair. Her attention to detail on every level was so evident and there was a buzz of excitement before, during and long after the show ended.

Thanks were gushed to everyone who has supported and inspired Melody on her journey. And very special thank you’s went to her husband Bob who worked tirelessly to transform Luxelab into a bomb shelter set worthy of a Disney movie, and to our very own Mentor Stylist Craig Wcislo, who created the spectacular costuming and gas-mask accessories.

Congratulations to Melody. The Aftermath of all your hard work can only be success!

2014 has seen many of our Luxelab stylists traveling the globe in search of education and inspiration and as always, they returned with lots to share. In a spectacular evening conceptulized and produced by Phillip Manzanaras for Luxelab, inc , 75 stylists from the 5 Luxelab locations were treated to these exciting experiences.

We were honored to have the show open with special guests Marlene Arce (national Vice President of Education for L’Oréal Professionelle) and Victoria Chestnut (West Coast Educational Director for L’Oréall Professionelle) outlining Loreal’s storied history and the grand vision for the future.

First stop: Vienna. Shawn Cunningham (Partner and Manager of Luxelab Bel Air) and Colette Simon (Manager of Luxelab Montana and Academy Educational Director) traveled with L’Oréal to Vienna, Austria where they attended classes at the gorgeous L’Oréal Academy as well as visiting some of the top sights the city has to offer. Inspired by Betram K’s unique cutting approach, Shawn showed his version of a 5 step commercial long layered haircut, while Colette showed an editorial look inspired by a ride in an antique ferris wheel at the Wurstelprater amusement park.

Back in the USA, Craig Wcislo (Montana avenue salon stylist and partner and Kerastase national educational leader) and Jen Beckerman (Luxelab’s senior Editorial stylist and lead stylist for One Styling) presented the work they did back stage in New York fashion week spring shows for brands like Jason Woo, Thakoon, and many more. From corset inspired runway styling to edgy updos, this team showed the skills that only working backstage in high pressure situations can bring.

We then jetted off to Paris with Eric Garza (Luxelab Bel Air stylist and L’Oréal National styling Educator) and Beth Montgomery (Montana Avenue Assistant Manager and L’Oréal National styling educator). Their avant-garde work, complete with eye popping up-dos, spectacular headpieces, and extraordinary hair extensions was based on their photo shoot experience hosted by L’Oréal in the city of lights.

This event was a glorious reflection on travel, education, experiences and inspirations from 2014 and with the New Year around the corner, it was fitting to hear from Lauren Sill (Luxelab creative director, Kerastase lead educator, and Shu Uemura creative Director) and Amanda Gonsoulin (Luxelab Creative Director, L’Oréal National color educator and Lead Academy Color Educator) on the forecast of the latest color trends we can expect to see. Look out for techniques called “color melting and “pony lights” to create soft, yet dramatic color transitions for spring.

Special thanks goes to Craig Wcislo and Michelle Hansen who were responsible for the original fashion creations that each of the models were adorned in, along with ornate costume jewelry from Margaret Rowe Couture jewelry(available at Luxelab for purchase). Models were styled by Liz Abrams and Ani Avakyan for Luxelab, inc. and editorial make-up was done by Heather Pepe and Janae from Luxelab Pasadena.

Looking forward to what 2015 will bring!

2014 has seen many of our Luxelab stylists traveling the globe in search of education and inspiration and as always, they returned with lots to share. In a spectacular evening conceptulized and produced by Phillip Manzanaras for Luxelab, inc , 75 stylists from the 5 Luxelab locations were treated to these exciting experiences.

We were honored to have the show open with special guests Marlene Arce (national Vice President of Education for L’Oréal Professionelle) and Victoria Chestnut (West Coast Educational Director for L’Oréall Professionelle) outlining Loreal’s storied history and the grand vision for the future.

First stop: Vienna. Shawn Cunningham (Partner and Manager of Luxelab Bel Air) and Colette Simon (Manager of Luxelab Montana and Academy Educational Director) traveled with L’Oréal to Vienna, Austria where they attended classes at the gorgeous L’Oréal Academy as well as visiting some of the top sights the city has to offer. Inspired by Betram K’s unique cutting approach, Shawn showed his version of a 5 step commercial long layered haircut, while Colette showed an editorial look inspired by a ride in an antique ferris wheel at the Wurstelprater amusement park.

Back in the USA, Craig Wcislo (Montana avenue salon stylist and partner and Kerastase national educational leader) and Jen Beckerman (Luxelab’s senior Editorial stylist and lead stylist for One Styling) presented the work they did back stage in New York fashion week spring shows for brands like Jason Woo, Thakoon, and many more. From corset inspired runway styling to edgy updos, this team showed the skills that only working backstage in high pressure situations can bring.

We then jetted off to Paris with Eric Garza (Luxelab Bel Air stylist and L’Oréal National styling Educator) and Beth Montgomery (Montana Avenue Assistant Manager and L’Oréal National styling educator). Their avant-garde work, complete with eye popping up-dos, spectacular headpieces, and extraordinary hair extensions was based on their photo shoot experience hosted by L’Oréal in the city of lights.

This event was a glorious reflection on travel, education, experiences and inspirations from 2014 and with the New Year around the corner, it was fitting to hear from Lauren Sill (Luxelab creative director, Kerastase lead educator, and Shu Uemura creative Director) and Amanda Gonsoulin (Luxelab Creative Director, L’Oréal National color educator and Lead Academy Color Educator) on the forecast of the latest color trends we can expect to see. Look out for techniques called “color melting and “pony lights” to create soft, yet dramatic color transitions for spring.

Special thanks goes to Craig Wcislo and Michelle Hansen who were responsible for the original fashion creations that each of the models were adorned in, along with ornate costume jewelry from Margaret Rowe Couture jewelry(available at Luxelab for purchase). Models were styled by Liz Abrams and Ani Avakyan for Luxelab, inc. and editorial make-up was done by Heather Pepe and Janae from Luxelab Pasadena.

Looking forward to what 2015 will bring!

Luxelab was proud to host L’Oreal Professionnel National Artist and Master Session Stylist, Pepper Pastor who presented a modern and unique take on the art of setting hair and the foundations of building editorial and runway looks.

Her hairdressing mastery and fresh take on the art of styling was an inspiration.

Each of our own master craftsmen in attendance was treated to her refreshing vision and left with a few new tricks up their sleeves.

A big Luxelab thank you to L’Oreal Professionnel and Pepper Pastor for yet another night of outstanding education!

Owners Jason Lara and David Abrams at the L’Oréal Akademie in Vienna

luxelab Bel Air owner Shawn Cunningham with owner Jason Lara

Following 3 more days of taking in the best of Vienna from top restaurants to tons of special L’oreal events, the luxelab team was treated to seats at Vienna Fashion Week and amazing after parties.

Vienna Fashion Week at MQ

Vienna Fashion Week Couture hat designer Alwa Petroni

Luxelab team with fashion week attendee and vocalist Doretta Carter

Pictures by Maxwell Benson
www.maxwellbenson.com

Luxelab stepped back in time to the crazy days of Studio 54 thanks to Stasi Hartwick’s inspiration for her final hair collection presentation. After a year or more of hard work and focus, Stasi has graduated from the challenging LuxeLab Academy “Stylist in Training” program and to celebrate, she gave us glitz and glamor, mirror balls and 70’s beats as her 10 models strutted their stuff. Congratulations Stasi! What a fun way to celebrate.  We are all so proud and thrilled for your achievement and look forward to your hair adventure ahead. Stasi will be making people beautiful at her home salon “Luxelab at the Glen”.

Need a quick pick me up? Start with your hair. Let you and your hair get swept up just in time for June weddings, Senior proms and the heat of Summer by our expert team of Stylists. They will inspire you to pull your long, hot hair off your shoulders, away from your face, and into stunning style. Walking the sexy line between polished and undone, here are some of our favorite looks created by the luxelab team from this year.

Beautiful braid demo by Master Stylist Lauren Sill at Luxelab

A gorgeous twist on a classic top knot upstyle created by Megan Last

A feminine and edgy luxe collab: Blow dry byAlexander Maud at Luxelab braid by Lauren Sill at Luxelab

A beautiful modern sweeping french braid created by Master Stylist Craig Wcislo at luxelab

Braided mohawk by luxelab Stylist Alexander Maud

Updo by Lauren Sill for the Shu Uemura “Art of Braiding” class

Braided bun by Luxelab Bel Air Stylist Tonya Le for Bibhu Mohapatra

Square bun by Luxelab Stylist Jen Beckerman

Sharp + Pen Street artists share their inspiration behind the art pieces currently on display and for sale at artLAB Salon. Please contact artLAB or stop in with an inquires 310-393-0011.

Joshua “Ahoi” Reyes

I am a LA native but can’t claim a specific part of Los Angeles as my own, I’m somewhat of a LA gypsy. In my travels as a kid in Los Angeles I fell in love with trains, brick walls and graffiti, these are my inspirations.

Scat $150.00

Postal $50.00

Square $80.00

Gina $150.00

The Sharp+Pen Artists

Socko

I go by “Socko” but my name is Compa Junior, I’m from the South Los Angeles area. I’ve been into art, drawing and lettering since I was in High School around 2004 and started doing graffiti in 2007.
These two pieces are inspired by my name and done entirely with black Sharpie marker on paper.

Email: compajunior@yahoo.com       Instagram: elcompajr

Socks (on left) $75.00 / S (on right) $50.00

TahoeMy name is Lowen Steven, I’m a recording and graffiti artist that goes by the moniker “Tahoe”. I’m born and raised in Los Angeles, these pieces are inspired by the rugged LA aesthetic of aggressive lettering with a flair wild style. Both pieces were done with black Sharpie marker, black ball point pen, and warm grey 50% Prismacolor on cardstock.

Twitter: tahoe17                               Instagram: photahoe

Tahoe $100.00

Tahoe (framed) $80.00

Roar

Raised in Westlake district showed me the other side of Los Angeles, the not-so-glamorous side that people tend to overlook. Growing up in crime infested communities, I needed an outlet to be creative or succumb to the streets. Hip-Hop culture gave me that outlet; specifically Calligraphy Art, it saved my life. In 2006 I enrolled in LATTC with no high school diploma, just a backpack with markers and a sketch pad. I transferred to UCLA with a full scholarship where I earned a BFA degree in Studio Art.
Los Angeles has given me an interest in the experiences of life and social relationships that play throughout our diverse city. I convey ideas and environments that have captured my interest, interpreting them in my own perspective. I explore class, culture and how they sometimes mix to become pop- culture. This body of work has its own story, its own narrative; unique as the people and topography here in Los Angeles.

Email: roaryama@gmail.com

Louie $900.00 (made out of a vintage LV purse)

 

Cholo $170.00 / Pooch $170.00