Celebrating the hair and now
Nelson-based Italian hairdesser Andrea Ranieri stopped for a chat with about moving to Nelson and eco-friendly hairdressing.
I started out as an apprentice at 18 years old with a salon in the centre of Milan called Puccio & Franco set up by two brothers from Sicily.
The salon at that time was one of the most well known salons in Italy.
Both my older brother and aunt are hairstylists so I had been introduced to this industry from a young age.
After four years, I moved to Tony & Guy Salon and Academy in Milan as a colour technician where I trained young stylists in colour techniques and continued to develop my own style of work.
I also worked as part of a freelance team running workshops around Italy and on photoshoots for fashion magazines.
In 2007, my brother opened a salon which I was a part of before moving to New Zealand.
Zinc opened in 2011, four years after first arriving in Nelson.
I moved here with my wife Katie who originates from Otago and we both felt Nelson was a great place to start a family and we still remain in the South Island. I’m from Calabria which has beautiful beaches so it reminded me of lovely times I’d spent with family back home.
Working in my own environment meant I could choose the products I wanted to use and the image I wanted to promote.
My colleague Rob comes from a similar background to me and we both enjoy not only the hair industry but fashion in general.
It was my choice to work with Italian family run hair company Davines which produces high-end haircare products made from high grade natural ingredients.
I believe in customer safety and ensuring not only that clients are looked after but also that I’m playing my part for the environment.
Their products are beautifully presented and really nourishing on hair without the harshness of many commercial ones.
I’m definitely a people person so that’s why I love the buzz of working in a salon.
My father-in-law, knowing my lack of English when I arrived, told me to go and milk cows as I wouldn’t need to worry about making conversation.
He soon knew though that it wasn’t meant to be as I started working in salons throughout Nelson.
It’s a really nice feeling to create a great look which makes someone happy.
I’m generally passionate about the diversity of colour and cutting techniques to create an individual look.
Definitely with three kids we’ll be here for a while.
But hopefully more travelling and business opportunities come our way.