Klaus Peter Ochs, President of Intercoiffure Mondial was in Delhi to showcase the latest international hair trends exclusive Hair Show Selfie at Aqua, The Park organised by Dr.Blossom Kochhar, President, Intercoiffure Mondial (ICD), India. Intercoiffure Mondial is the most powerful and influential organisation in the world hairdressing industry. It is an elite club of hair designers, salon owners and industry leaders and is present in 55 countries across the world.
Klaus Peter Ochs is a renowned hair-dresser and a top-stylist. He is a passionate campaigner for beauty, a defender of craftsmanship and a master of wonderful productions. His collections and mood videos are snapshots of the spirit of the time whereas his international shows are celebrated around the world. Popularly known as KPO, he was chosen as the “Best of the Best” among the ten best hairdressers in the world by the International magazine EsteticaDesign.
He was also awarded, among others, the “Best World Academy Award”, the “World Master of Art and Craft”, the “Hair&Beauty Award”, the “Icon & Leader of HairBrasil Award” and he received the “Personal Achievement Award” from Intercoiffure Germany. And as the sole German hairdresser, he was given the title of “Legends of Alternative Hairshow” by Toni Rizzo.
For his out- standing business qualities he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit – his company counts 20 salons and 300 employees. He also supports “Education for Life” as a part of his social projects and stands for the promotion of young talents. He is also known as a world-renowned juror in the “The Mentor Award” which promotes young and talented stylists.
Mr. Klaus Peter Ochs, World President, Intercoiffure Mondial and Celebrity Hair Stylist speaks to Guardian 20 about his life and beauty industries in all over the world.
Q. Tell us something about yourself.
A. I am the 3rd generation of hairdresser in the family. I am thankful to my grandfather who brought me into this beautiful profession.
Q. When did you think of becoming a hairdresser?
A. At the end of high school, my father and I talked about what I should do. After this which I had three months to make up my mind and the best thing that happened to me was to follow the advice of the family and continue down the hairdressing path.
Q. What is Intercoiffure Mondial?
A. First international organization of high quality hairdressing, Intercoiffure counts over 3,000 salons spread over 55 countries. You will find them in capitals such as Paris, New York, Tokyo, Berlin, London, Rome. The leaders of these salons are fashion oriented, keen in expanding their profession and ready to share their knowledge as part of the respect of moral values.
It was founded in 1925 by international famous hairdressers also freemasons who, despite the difficult times then, believed it was important to stand for and protect art and beauty.
Today the members and especially the leaders all share common values and principles. You may find them on our website — intercoiffure-mondial.org.
“India is a beautiful country with traditions, and the ladies have wonderful hair. More and more the international influences of haircutting and colour effects have grown in India among the younger generation. This is the result of the media and internet.”
Q. There are many countries emerging as big beauty industries. What do you have to say about this?
A. The beauty industry is one of the biggest industries in the world. With the increase of the average income worldwide, the sector is clearly growing as the consumers dedicate a bigger part of their income to look nice, fashionable and beautiful, whatever the country.
Q. What do you have to say about Indian way of styling their hair?
A. India is a beautiful country with traditions, and the ladies have wonderful hair. More and more the international influences of haircutting and colour effects have grown in India among the younger generation. This is the result of the media and internet.
Q. You were given the title of “Legends of Alternative Hairshow” by Toni Rizzo. What do you have to say about it?
A. It was an immense honour for me to receive this award and for me a pride to help support the Leukaemia& Lymphoma Research, an initiative that Tony Rizzo has started many years ago. I am always honoured to take part in the AHS.
Q. You support Education for life. Can you tell us what is it all about?
A. Education for Life was born in 2003 during a trip to Brazil where I saw three children hungry to learn a profession and had clearly no means to reach this. I, with Intercoiffure Mondial, had felt then essential to give the best of what we could to these children: education.
The importance was such that it became obvious for us to extend the charity initiative to other countries. We are proud to count on nine Education for Life centers around the world and work on opening more in the near future.
Our motto: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Q. What is Education for life’s goal ?
A. The most important yesterday, today and tomorrow is that the elite of the hairdressing industry, of the manufacturers and of our association is to take care of transmitting the best education to the next generation.
Q. In next 10 years, what changes do you expect from the Beauty and Salon industry?
A. I think we are going through difficult times in the world in several areas: economics, politics and society. I truly hope that the situation improves and allows people around the world develop and improve their lifestyle (and what I call the “little luxury”) and with it to see the beauty and salon industry grow. I am very proud that Intercoiffure Mondial counts today on more than 100,000 people working in the ICD salons that constitute our organization. We are proud and measure the responsibility of our role as leaders of the hairdressing industry.