Avant Garde owner vows to clear her name
THE owner of the Avant Garde Make-up Academy has refuted any and all allegations that she has wilfully deceived students who paid to participate in the courses offered by her.
In a statement issued on Monday, Emma Woods (right) apologised for the delay in responding to the issues being raised regarding the accreditation awarded to her students, saying she wanted to research and confirm all of the facts associated with the issues that have been highlighted.
“I have at all times acted in good faith and all students have been taught to the highest industry standards.
“I also run my business to the same high standards,” she said.
“Each year, we have paid annual fees to NASMAH and, indeed, have a welcome letter from them and confirmation of Membership containing the Avant Garde Make Up Academy & Studio name therefore acknowledging our students training and association with them which is all we ever stated.
“While BABTAC/CIBTAC have asserted that Avant Garde is not affiliated with either organisation, I can state categorically that full investigation is ongoing in this accusation as I am currently pursuing the fees I have paid in the establishment of Avant Garde Make Up Academy & Studio.”
Meanwhile gardai at Drogheda Garda station are investigating over 100 complaints from students and former students of the academy about the issue.
One of the standards agencies BABTEC said that they are considering legal action after carrying out an internal investigation into the matter.
“We have appointed a lawyer to deal with the issue further; we have sent them (Avant Garde) a cease and desist letter which basically tells them that they must stop using our name,” said Victoria Short, spokesperson for BABTAC.
“Our lawyer will send them a follow up letter soon.”
Meanwhile they are offering the graduates of Avant Garde a four-hour assessment in their closest CIBTAC Centre – The International College of Beauty based in Mullingar – to benchmark their skills in relation to the accreditation.
Individuals will be expected to complete two different make-up looks, before sitting a multiple-choice theory test.
Once complete, a CIBTAC tutor will issue a personalised report detailing any gaps in their skills or knowledge and / or referring the student to a further CIBTAC examination.
This move is causing anger among those affected, as they feel they should not be out of pocket even more.
“I’ve already paid €5,000 and don’t see why I should have to pay a possible further €500 to see if I am qualified,” one student told the Drogheda Independent.