Kaitlyn Smith, a student in the Wild About Hair hairstylist program, has just returned from a two-week practicum at the high-fashion salon of the Toni and Guy Academy on Oxford Street in London England.

Smith is also a Mount Baker Secondary School student who entered the hairstylist program as an Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE IT) student, which allowed her to complete secondary school and take a trades program at a post-secondary institute (College of the Rockies) and receive both secondary school credits for graduation and post-secondary credits in a provincially recognized trade.

“Our College Instructor Gwen Stewart studied in London as well. She is totally amazing and inspirational and this program gave me such a great foundation that I didn’t feel in the least intimidated in London,” Smith said.

“It was a truly unbelievable experience for a small-town girl from Cranbrook and gave me a completely new perspective on hair design,” Smith continued. “Everyone treated me so well and if I could have stayed, I would’ve. The Toni and Guy Academy creates a new ‘collection’ each year based on the high fashion industry along with their instructional duties. I got to apply some of their ideas in styling and cutting and brought home some new techniques to show my classmates.”

Smith is nearly finished the 10-month Wild About Hair program and is planning to take some Business Administration courses at College of the Rockies this fall, as well as applying for an apprenticeship at a local salon. “I’m pursuing every stylist’s dream,” she said. “I eventually want to open my own salon and the Business Administration courses will help me with that part of the enterprise. But my experience in London completely changed my outlook and will inspire me for years to come.”

Betty Roper, COTR Communications and Marketing Coordinator

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