3 day ZGAT Creative cutting | Federico Advanced

​Over the summer I attended a Creative cutting class taught by Ivana and Mario. The two of them are a power team from Croatia and have been cutting hair together since they were young. They have an academy in Croatia which is also where they live and work on their clients and educate students on their cutting methods. They now have been traveling all over the world to bring their creativity and inspiration to us. Right when I saw they were coming to New York I knew I could not miss this opportunity to attend their 3 day creative haircutting class. I have to say $1500 might be the most I have ever paid for education, but I knew it would be completely worth it. 

The class was held at the KMS/Goldwell academy located in the meatpacking district in New York. The first day was a look and learn, Ivana and Mario had two models each and walked us threw their thought process and layout of each model's haircut. They also use head sheets to map out their sectioning pattern as well as overall shape and vision for their haircut. Ivana said she even uses the head sheets for her clients and keeps a record of them. After learning many tricks from their demonstrations we got to test them out ourselves over the next two days. Excitement!!

Bmac scissors were also there and had a table set up with their best shears. I had to purchase their BC 5'' scissor. I did not have a 5'' detailing shear in my collection so of course I needed it. This is also the shear the Zgat team was using. They are probably the sharpest scissor I have ever used and you can detail with such precision. If you are going to be doing any strong geometric shaped haircuts you need to get yourself a pair.

So after the first class day I am already so inspired and can not wait to see what they have in store for us over the next two days. On the second day we arrive to the academy and discover two rows of stations set up with our names on them, manikin heads, manikin stand, and a head sheet on our mirror. At this time we set up our kits. Next they delegate Mario to our side of the room and Ivana to the other.  Our side of the room gathers around one of the students manikin heads as Mario begins to show us how to properly find the center part of the head, section and prepare properly for our haircut. This was very challenging for me, but I was determined to get it. Finding the center of the head is very important, because the slightest bit off could affect your whole haircut. They explain how mapping out your haircut was one of the most important things when creating a strong shape. After we had out heads sectioned correctly he checked each one making adjustments if needed. Then we gathered back around the first students head. He illustrates what his next move will be on the head sheet and then cuts in the first guideline to the haircut, then Mario moves on to the next student's head and does the same. As he moves through each head We are discovering each of our heads will have a different shape at the end. I really enjoyed this method because we were able to not only learn the two haircuts we did in those two days, we also learned from each student's haircut as well but in a more visual way. We literally spent 6 hours on each of our haircuts, This was amazing! If only everyday behind the chair could be so magical. At the end of the second day Mario showed  us how he likes to photograph his work. Everything Mario does is so calm but with such passion.

On the second day of the class as we are arriving and setting up our things, we discover our side of the room would be with Ivana today. I love how they let us get a taste of each of their teaching styles. They are both very different educators but together are a perfect harmony of passion and creative vision. Now we are working on a new manikin and we are still all creating a different shape but much more creative and abstract then the one I completed the day before. I was so excited to learn their method of creating an internal undercut, the hair just melts from short to long unbelievably. Also I learned that tilting the shear makes such a difference when creating a very strong line in the fringe area. I probably cut that curved fringe for hours. It's so easy to get lost in you work when there's really no time restraints. After each section we cut  we would wait for our instructor to inspect, adjust and move on to the next section. As we move through the head each section is a surprise so we didn't even know really what the end result was going to be until we started getting to the end of the haircut. I also like this method because it forced us to be in the moment and focus on that one task. Also the mystery of surprise is always refreshing too. They also showed us their flat iron method as well as styling. Their kits are very simple they only use one shear, yes one shear. I could not believe this, me on the other hand have so many tools in my tool box, with that being said it was very nice to keep it simple.

As the end of our inspiring three days came to an end we were all sharing our experiences and finished haircuts with each other. We all come out to the outside area of the academy, the view was just beautiful and weather was great. The Zgat team congratulated us and gave us our certification for completing their Creative Cutting course. And then it was over sadly, But I could not wait to get back to the salon and use my new Bmac shears and new techniques I have learned. My first day back to work I was completely booked but still decided that I need to try my new discoveries on every client, which then lead me to being an hour behind. Now realizing I am back to reality and need to practice these methods. But I now have created many looks using the skill that the Zgat team has instilled in me. ​