Monica Dorati was born and raised in Oslo, however took her education in the UK; growing her skillset, she has developed into a renowned stylist, educator and salon-owner. Monica has built her reputation as both an encyclopaedia of product knowledge and as an inspiring trainer; known for her wit, perfectionism and an all-consuming dedication to our profession, she is the perfect fit for the Alterna brand and has worked with us since 2012.
Monica, your passion for hair and education is visible in all that you do, can you tell us a little more about your hairdressing training?
To become a hairdresser in Norway, you complete a year at both Art School and Hairdressing School, before undergoing two additional years of hairdressing training in a salon. After your final hairdressing exams, you are then a licensed hairdresser. During my training, I was fortunate to go to classes with X-Presion Creativos, Efi Davies, Indira Schauwecker and many others...
You’re an extremely talented stylist and trainer. How do you educate others in the art of hairdressing?
My biggest passion is teaching hairdressers to listen to their client and to not be afraid to give suggestions. I tend to teach a lot of coloring classes, but I absolutely love hosting styling classes that involve braiding and updo’s.
You’ve won multiple awards at the Norwegian Hairdressing Awards, how significant have these accolades been to you?
Participating in the awards has made me the hairdresser I am today. It made me see detail and shape; and to learn how to take a step back from the model to see the bigger picture. Being that dedicated in practising, over and over again, made me aware of how we actually learn; I’m using that experience now to be a better educator.
Your creativity in hair color and styling is so inspiring, where does your inspiration come from?
Mostly from colleagues and classes that I attend. I love discussing, planning and trying out new techniques. My inspiration also comes from watching people in the street. I look for individuals that stand out; it can be anything or anyone that grabs my attention. These days my inspiration also comes from the lovely Lesley Jennison from Schwarzkopf Professional; I’m inspired by her joy of working hard and the fact she never stops evolving.
Colorist
A2Z Director
Lead Technical Educator
Backstage
Do hair trends in the UK differ from Oslo?
Definitely not, I think Norwegians are slightly behind the UK, but we tend to like the same trends. After being in the industry for so long, I always get incredibly excited when I see something (a trend or a technique) that I haven’t seen before. That one thing can give me energy for months!
Alterna Trainers from all over Europe traveled to Amsterdam this February to attend the Winter 2020 Train-The-Trainer event. An unmissable opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the latest Alterna products and techniques, the event was also an insight into upcoming launches and collections.
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