STAR RADARwith Salon City Editors
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| Salon City Editors Are Into Studio 1452 |
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KPSS USA's CEO, Mario Argenti, tells Salon City readers why Studio 1452 is so popular:
Salon City Network News - of special note:
1452 is the year famous inventor Leonardo da Vinci was born; it is also the address of the new home of Goldwell and KMS California hair products, Studio 1452. Commissioned by KPSS, Inc., and constructed by Hinerfeld-Ward, the 7,500 sq. ft. Studio 1452 space emcompasses a full-service hair salon, training academy and the new corporate headquarters for KMS California and Western operation sales divisions of both brands.
Casciola, who is known for his high-profile interviews of top business people, artists, celebrities and visionaries, asked Mario Argenti, a true visionary leader in beauty, to talk about the KPSS vision and opening:
Steven Casciola: The Academy and Studio are truly beautiful. What was the vision for this?
MARIO ARGENTI: The Academy is in addition to another three Academies that we have; one in Toronto, one in Vancouver, one in Baltimore, and, of course, now, here in Santa Monica.
As you know Steve, KPSS has a long-standing commitment to the salon industry and we believe that our products are an important element of this association. Another critical element is education. We wanted to create an atmosphere of education alongside an operational salon to give us an even closer association to our concepts of exclusivity with the two brands.
Here in Santa Monica, we will be able to test and implement programs in concert to make the salon successful. Then we can share those concepts with our existing customers.
"The inspirations hairdressers' get from a creative place is very important," says Mario.
SC: Being here in Santa Monica - a hotbed of creativity, texture and color - was an excellent choice for your location. Was this by design?
MA: Absolutely. I mean the location was fundamental. On one hand, the inspirations hairdressers' get from a creative place is very important. On the other hand, you have the sophistication of the Goldwell brand aligned with the origins of KMS being California. This location lends itself to the marriage of the two brands, and we were able to blend those two elements into an environment like this.
We felt that Santa Monica, being close to the beach and surrounded by the typical California lifestyle, would add to that element. The location was absolutely crucial. We wanted to have the facility and the infrastructure to accommodate the facilities of education all in one spot - next to top hotels, restaurants and nice places where people can go shopping and relax and feel creative. That was the vision and the design followed.
SC: Is this the beginning of a new era of upscale and more intelligent education in the professional beauty industry?
MA: I don't know if it's a new concept. It's certainly something that KPSS on a worldwide basis supports. The Vancouver and the Toronto facilities are very, very creative. Here in Santa Monica, the facility has four functions - you have an operational salon; you have an Academy; you have the offices of our KPSS Direct Operations and you have the offices of KMS California Global Marketing.
So in this respect, this is a new approach. Certainly the working salon for us is new. But the commitment to education in a creative environment is not necessarily new. I do think it demonstrates the commitment the company has to carry forth the plans of making education one of the key elements in being able to deliver the aspirational link between KPSS and our customers.
"While I am part of the corporate world, I feel like an entrepreneur," says Mario.
SC: On a personal note, you're a passionate person. You live to create the very best in life. What does opening up such a beautiful creative space mean to you?
MA: Well, it's funny you should say that because I am particularly proud of it. While I very much enjoy my position as the head of this organization here in North America, at the end of the day, I really treat my job and this company as if it's my own. It's my baby. And for that, I am truly grateful to the culture of KPSS, as the company cultivates this strong sense of ownership and passion which is reflected in what we do for our customers. Our world wide chairman and CEO Thomas Dieckhoff, is a prime sponsor for this culture.
So in that respect, while I am part of the corporate world, I feel like an entrepreneur. In answer to your question; the reason why I feel passion for this is because I looked at this project as if this were my salon and my Academy.
It wouldn't have made any difference whether this was my own money, my own company per se, or my own business. When you take ownership of something, and you try to make it the best it can be - then I think your passion can be truly experienced and everyone's creativity can flourish.
About the ACADEMY'S Architects:
"The design is intentionally neutral - a canvas that can accommodate the alternating activities and use of the two companies," said architects from Narduli Studio, the firm that designed the space for KPSS, Inc.. Trussed ceilings, exposed brick and glass walls characterize the mid-1920's building, creating a unique and functional space for Studio 1452, located only one block from both the Santa Monica Pier and Promenade, at 1452 Second Street.