After more than three decades of shaping the hair industry, Robert Cromeans, a legendary hairdresser, salon owner, and platform artist, has announced his retirement from John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS). Known for his extraordinary artistry, business acumen, and passion for education, Robert leaves behind an inspiring legacy that will continue to influence both established professionals and aspiring hairdressers alike.
Robert’s journey to becoming a global icon began when he joined JPMS as a young stylist, quickly catching the eye of industry giant Jeane Braa. Under her mentorship, Robert rose to prominence, eventually becoming the artistic director in 2000 and the global artistic & business director in 2016. During his time at JPMS, Robert played an instrumental role in the creation of iconic collections and the development of business systems that transformed the way salons operated.
Among his many achievements, Robert’s entrepreneurial success as a salon owner stands out. He founded several salons, with A Robert Cromeans Salon in San Diego, California, becoming a beacon of innovation. His salons weren’t just places to cut hair – they became centres for creativity, learning, and business growth. Robert was responsible for pioneering Take Home, The Wash House, and The Color Bar, business systems that empowered salon owners and stylists to streamline their operations and improve client experiences.
For many hair professionals, Robert’s influence extended far beyond the walls of his salons. He dedicated much of his career to education, traveling to over 40 countries to teach, mentor, and inspire others. His charisma, humour, and deep understanding of the industry made him a sought-after speaker on stages across the globe. He shared not only his innovative techniques but also his philosophy on how stylists could succeed in business while remaining passionate about their craft.
John Paul DeJoria, Co-Founder and Chairman of JPMS, spoke of Robert’s incredible impact: “We are immensely grateful for Robert’s service, dedication, and friendship. He has made a lasting impact on our company and our industry. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence generations to come.”
As Robert steps into retirement, his legacy offers powerful lessons for today’s stylists and salon owners. His career demonstrates the importance of combining creativity with a business savvy approach, of constantly seeking out new ways to innovate and grow, and of always investing in the education and success of others. Whether through his salons or his global educational tours, Robert has shown that the key to long-term success in the hair industry is more than just talent – it’s about vision, leadership, and a commitment to inspiring those around you.
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Vagaro
This September, Vagaro, a software for beauty, wellness, and fitness businesses, will host its 3rd annual industry-defining event, iconic.24, going fully virtual for the first time. With a mission to broaden access and make valuable insights available globally, the event will feature two 45-minute interactive, educational business sessions each Monday throughout the month (Sept. 9, 16, 23, and 30).
This year’s iconic.24 event will also mark the unveiling of Vagaro’s new Icon Coaching Program. This exclusive program features a handpicked group of accomplished professionals from various sectors, including hair and barbering. These industry powerhouses will offer one-on-one coaching to help business owners and service professionals elevate their growth strategies and maximize their success.
Charity Hudnall, chief marketing officer at Vagaro, expressed her excitement:
The event’s star-studded lineup of Icon coaches includes:
Throughout the four-week event, the Icon coaches will lead discussions on a wide range of business topics, from marketing and finances to customer service. The sessions are designed to be interactive and provide attendees with actionable strategies they can implement immediately.
The event will culminate with a keynote address by Vagaro founder & CEO Fred Helou, who will announce new and upcoming platform features, showcasing how they can help professionals future-proof their businesses. Helou emphasizes, “iconic.24 is more than just an annual event; it has become a pivotal experience for professionals to learn, innovate, and elevate. This year is even more exciting because attendees can sign up to be coached directly by the session leaders.”
Tickets for the virtual event are priced at $49.99 (£38), granting access to all eight sessions, plus the keynote address. For those eager to reserve their spot and learn more about the potential of their business, tickets are available now on Vagaro’s website.
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250 guests packed into the salon courtyard
Not everybody can call upon Dire Straits to play live at your semi-retirement party… but not everybody is the hairdressing legend Guy Kremer. And so a crowd of more than 250 celebrities, clients and friends – including author Kathy Lette, fashion designer Maria Grachvogel and British painter and curator David Remfry – packed his Parchment Street courtyard to listen to a touching and humorous speech from hotelier Robin Hutson before handing over to Dire Straits founder member and guitarist John Illsley, who played a fantastic set featuring all the band’s best-known songs.
“What an amazing party it was,” said Guy. “It was the best way to start the new act of my life and I am so grateful to my wonderful team, friends and business associates from across Winchester for helping to make this such a memorable event.”
Dire Straits’ John Illsley onstage
Hotelier Robin Hutson led the speeches
Hampshire’s most famous hairdresser opened his modest French Connection salon in Winchester 50 years ago. Over the decades, the flamboyant Frenchman has grown it into the international Guy Kremer business, opening new salons, launching hair products and growing a clientele that includes pop stars, princesses and A-Listers.
As well as giving his time to a generation of young apprentices, Guy is a member of the L’Oréal Professionnel Portfolio, an exclusive group of top British hairdressers recognised for their creativity and expertise in professional hairdressing, and nine years ago was awarded The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s UK Hairdresser of the Year for the second time.
Guy (right) with John Illsley and Kathy Lette
As Guy bows out to spend more time at his home in France, the Guy Kremer name will now be handed over to the salon’s senior team of Jonny Engstrom, Emily Huggett and Martin Roskilly. However, even at the age of 71 and nearing the end of his stellar career, Guy is adamant there is still more to do. As well as returning to his Winchester salon for a month every six weeks to do clients, he is also working on the relaunch of his own line of Guy Kremer hair products next year.
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Educating your clients about the importance of early intervention is key. Hair loss often worsens when left untreated. Leading trichologist, Mark Blake, tells us that the best thing for clients to do is “get advice and start a hair loss regime as quickly as possible.” Hair loss gets worse if left untreated, so doing nothing is going to let the problem get worse. By guiding your clients to act early, you can help them preserve their hair health and confidence.
One essential point to highlight is the seasonal nature of hair shedding. “Clients shouldn’t be alarmed if they notice more hair loss in September,” Mark shares. “It is the month that we see the highest proportion of natural hair loss in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s thought to be due to seasonal changes in light and weather.” While this is a natural occurrence, you should encourage clients to seek advice if they notice excessive or persistent shedding. Here are a few methods you can share with your clients, so they can start their health growth journey as soon as they leave the salon.
Many clients may not realise how crucial their diet is to hair growth. Hair is composed of approximately 85 per cent protein, and a lack of it can severely impact growth. Blake reminds us that “hair only grows from the protein eaten or retained,” highlighting the importance of a well-balanced diet for hair health.
Secondly, scalp care is critical but often neglected. Blake suggests that clients exfoliate their scalp every six weeks, explaining, “the scalp ages 12 times faster than the skin on the body and six times faster than the skin on the face. The scalp is where the hair must grow out of, and it needs looking after.”
Some clients believe that washing their hair less frequently will help reduce hair loss, but Mark Blake warns against this misconception. “As a Trichologist, I see more problems from hair loss patients who don’t wash their hair frequently than from patients who do wash their hair frequently,” Blake explains. He adds: “Clients should treat their scalp like any other part of their body. They should probably treat it better…scalp health is directly linked to hair health.” Encouraging clients to wash their hair regularly, focusing on scalp health, can help mitigate issues related to hair loss.
As trusted professionals, you can offer more than just styling. Offering scalp treatments, exfoliation services, and hair loss consultations can set your salon apart as a wellness hub for clients concerned about thinning hair. Plus, partnering with specialists, stocking trichologist-recommended products, and training your team in hair loss management will better serve your clients and build trust in your expertise.
Hair loss can be triggered by a wide range of factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, stress, nutrition, and even certain medical conditions or treatments. While understanding the root cause of hair loss is helpful, what’s more important is focusing on timely and effective intervention. Whatever the cause, action can prevent further loss and help restore hair health. The key is not dwelling on why hair loss happens, but rather how you can guide clients towards the best solutions to manage it.
Hair Loss Awareness Month is a great opportunity for salon owners to enhance their services and raise awareness about hair health, even by simply adding more targeted scalp health treatments to your service menu. Offering this added layer of care can position your salon as a leader in holistic hair care.
Hair Loss Awareness Month is a reminder that hair loss is a common issue, and it’s oftentimes tied up with many emotions, but it can be managed with the right knowledge and approach. As stylists, you are in a powerful position to provide education, support, and care for clients experiencing hair loss, helping them to regain their confidence and maintain healthy hair.
Team PROtect from France
A watch-style device to tell stylists when to stretch, take a break, and to warn when they might be about to do their body harm has scooped this year’s global L’Oréal Brandstorm final in London.
The L’Oréal Group’s innovation competition for young people, focused on helping kickstart their careers, saw Team PROtect from France impress the judges at the Riverside Studios in London. Its approach to supporting the physical health and wellbeing of hairstylists with wearable tech would see devices on the wrist and back that monitor movements and notify the wearer when they are entering zones of potential harm, promoting them to take a break or stretch to avoid issues such as repetitive strain injuries or back problems.
An intelligent comb that makes precision parting easier, complete with various comb attachments that would work with all hair types and textures while saving stylists’ time, was the runner-up idea from the US.
MyHair App, which connects consumers with personalised product recommendations and salon services that they can buy e-commerce, and includes AI capabilities, grabbed third place for the UKI team and Match Makers.
A watch-style device to tell stylists when to stretch, take a break, and to warn when they might be about to do their body harm has scooped this year’s global L’Oréal Brandstorm final in London.
The L’Oréal Group’s innovation competition for young people, focused on helping kickstart their careers, saw Team PROtect from France impress the judges at the Riverside Studios in London. Its approach to supporting the physical health and wellbeing of hairstylists with wearable tech would see devices on the wrist and back that monitor movements and notify the wearer when they are entering zones of potential harm, promoting them to take a break or stretch to avoid issues such as repetitive strain injuries or back problems.
The winning PROtect Team from France now starts a three-month “entrepreneurship” at L’Oréal’s Paris HQ to refine their idea with support from the company’s experts, with an aim to bring their idea to market to help hairdressers around the world.
Hayley Jepson
Judging panel
It was the first time that Brandstorm had focused on the L’Oréal Professional Products Division, with a challenge to “revolutionise the professional hair industry by leveraging technology to propel both salon businesses and the client experience forward”. It was also the first time the final had been held outside of Paris, with 130 young entrepreneurs from across the world invited to London to compete.
Charlotte Mensah, salon and product brand founder, was among the panel of judges, which also included L’Oréal Professional Products global president, Omar Hajeri. Hayley Jepson, the L’Oréal Professionnel Paris and Head Up ambassador, led a keynote session on the importance of resilience and good mental health practice during those early stages of a career.
Hair industry icons push the boundaries of style in a three-day celebration of coiffured creativity
Discover the winners of the 42nd Alternative Hair Show, celebrating hair artistry, innovation, and charity at Camden’s iconic Roundhouse.
BeBop London hosts third live Hair Jam
New Hair Order, Mark Byrne and Lisa May
The L’Oréal Colour Trophy Ireland Grand Final hit the stage at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre and crowned New Hair Order as the 2024 winner – owner and colourist Mark Byrne and stylist Lisa May lifted the trophy for their multi-tonal take on a copper crop.
There was an electric atmosphere in the room as salon owners, stylists and creative colourists gathered to compete for the big prize. Zeba Hairdressing’s Mark Sherwood and Augusto Miranda took second place, with Graham Santeliz Molloy and James Coleman of Brown Sugar claiming the final spot in the top three.
Mark Sherwood and Augusto Miranda, Zeba Hairdressing
Graham Santeliz Molloy and James Coleman, Brown Sugar
Jake Murphy, creative colourist and apprentice at Zeba Hairdressing took home the STAR Award for his subtle striped look. Judges tasked to make the difficult decision on the night were Darren Ambrose, Andrew Mulvenna, Alan Edwards, Nathan Walker and Marcello Moccia.
Also on the night, Lauren McNeela of Stripe Colour Studio was named L’Oréal Colour Trophy Moving Image winner. The final winners to be revealed were Alex Doherty, Brandon Marchant, Elsie MacDonald, Francesca Bay, Isla McKelvie who scooped the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Future Talent Award. They will go on to have a mentorship day at the L’Oréal International Academy.
Two dynamic hair shows thrilled the Dublin crowd. The first, created by Jason Hall Hairdressing’s Jason Hall and Strictly Xtended’s Abigail Butler, was an energetic combination of pop culture references. Mash Up saw striking silhouettes and elaborate fashion pieces, designed by Colin Horgan, that elevated the energy over the top of a mash-up mixtape playlist of trending tunes. Jason and Abigail were supported by young Irish talents, Peter Mark College’s Daryl Behan, Georgia Haverty, Kelly Byrne and Rebecca Robinson, Peter Mark’s Sadhbh Clifford, Hillary’s Sian Lloyd and Yolanda Dunne from Wildflower.
Mash Up by Jason Hall and Abigail Butler
Adam Reed and the ARKIVE by Adam Reed team then displayed true craftmanship with their show fRAmEwoRk. The show put a theatrical, cabaret spin on things, narrated through a VT featuring Adam and the team – Andrew Plester, Janet Barone, John Spanton, Luke Logan, Pia Wyatt and Samantha Bickle. The truly mesmerising performance was choreographed by Gareth Walker and featured statement headpieces with bold fashion styling and design by Adam Reed.
fRAmEwoRk by ARKIVE by Adam Reed
Hairdressers, finalists and winners alike wrapped up their evening with the help of a live DJ, as the drinks continued to flow, and canapes were served, celebrating in style and danced out the night in true LCT Dublin fashion.
Hair industry icons push the boundaries of style in a three-day celebration of coiffured creativity
Discover the winners of the 42nd Alternative Hair Show, celebrating hair artistry, innovation, and charity at Camden’s iconic Roundhouse.
BeBop London hosts third live Hair Jam
