Hair saga: From the Greeks to present day

Johann of Cutting Station presents ‘XXV’ a fashion show celebrating 25 years in hair dressing and beauty culture

All fashion lovers have a date to look forward to- October 22 when well known hairdresser and beautician Johann Peries, the man behind Cutting Station presents ‘XXV by Johan’. The fashion show celebrating his 25th anniversary in hair dressing and beauty culture is in aid of the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation, of which Johann has long been a patron.

The show, as Johann revealed at a news conference last week will portray the evolution of hair styling starting all the way from the Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilizations, down through the side ponytails and frizzy bangs of the ’80s to the present day styles of Mohawks and dead-straight locks.

“The motivation behind XXV was to celebrate fashion over the last two and a half decades and it is also a way for me to thank so many people who have supported and helped me in my journey in fashion,” says Johann.

XXV promises to be a very elaborate production with lots of special effects. The show’s choreographer and producer Lou Ching Wong says it will be entertainment at its best on the Hilton ramp. The show will be in four segments with 20 models appearing in each segment. Lou Ching Wong apart, well known designers like Dharshi Keerthisena, Michael Wijesuriya, Purnima Abeyratne, Chrysanthi Fernandopulle, Dhammika Amarasekera, Ruchira Karunaratne and Channa Wijewardene have been invited to show their creations. Both professional and amateur models will be on the ramp.

The Cutting Station is an established and well known salon and Kevin who has been working with Johann for the past 12 years spoke about his experience there. He had come there by chance when his sister won a draw organized by the Mirror Magazine and the prize of a full make-over by Johann. Recalling his training under Johann, Kevin said his final test was to cut Johann’s hair. Nothing was quite like that experience - he had suffered terrible jitters but he can now handle any kind of customer, he said, smiling.

Tickets for XXV are available at Cutting Station at Jawatta Road, Colombo 5, the Commons, Park Street Mews, Bay Leaf and the Waters Edge.