True To The Roots

Michel Baltazar, Creative Director— Training and Education, Biguine Academy, loves to create. His passion for his job has seen him thrive in the world of hairstyling.

- Harshitha Prabhakar

Michel Baltazar has been in the hairstyling industry for a quarter of a decade, 16 of which have been with Jean-Claude Biguine. Fuelled by a need to do something extraordinary, he moved to India to lead education at the Biguine Academy in Mumbai. He mentors and creates internal training programmes for aspiring hairstylists at Jean-Claude Biguine, and has worked with fashion houses such as Donna Karan and Calvin Klein. Here, Baltazar talks to us about what his journey has been like, so far.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A HAIRSTYLIST? 

I wanted to do an artistic job, and draw reality in my own way. There were many options for me to follow, but a meeting with a famous Parisian hairdresser made me fall in love with the little world of the “Haute Coiffure Française”.

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF HAIRSTYLING.

I started my career in Paris in 1993. Curiosity drove me forward, and I wanted to see what happens at some of the larger Parisian brands. I began working with some of the most coveted brands and learnt all the techniques I could. I was attracted to studio work and shoots. Soon, I managed to work part-time at salons and began taking on freelance projects in my spare time. This way, I did a lot of photoshoots and fashion shows with young, talented Parisian designers. I gained invaluable experience. With this vast amount of knowledge, I had an urge to share what I knew. I realised that I could learn more by teaching what I had learnt myself. Getting into education was the logical next step and I joined the Artistique Biguine Paris team. After 16 years with the Biguine team, I asked Jean-Claude Biguine to move me to India. I lead education in India, and it has been one of the best decisions I have taken.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO INDIA?