April 16, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – Samuel Cole Salon Stylists created hair designs for three models from Raleigh Fashion Week featuring Strut ’09 for a photo shoot promoting breast cancer awareness for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. A boxing match was staged between a model who represented “the cure” and one that represented “the disease” with a referee model symbolizing “breast cancer research”. The photo shoot depicts “the cure” model knocking out “the disease” model with the “breast cancer research” model declaring victory. The models were dressed in corsets by Mechantes. The shoot was held at Fit 2 Box in Raleigh.

“It is awesome to be involved in Raleigh’s first Fashion Week and all of its related promotional events. Our stylists are exceptional and excel at creating the necessary look for each photo shoot,” said Joelle Ray who co-owns the salon with her husband and Master Stylist, Jack Ray.

March 21, 2009 (Raleigh, NC) – Master Stylist, Carolyn Nord, has joined the award-winning team of stylists at Samuel Cole Salon in North Raleigh. Nord brings 9 years of experience and expertise in the beauty industry to Samuel Cole. Recently relocated from Pennsylvania, Nord comes to Samuel Cole Salon from the award-winning salon, Spa Le Jardin, where she spent the last five years as a Master Stylist.

Known for her exemplary customer service and expert skill set, Nord compliments the level of professionalism that has come to be expected at Samuel Cole Salon. “We look for stylists who are passionate about the craft of hairdressing, naturally talented and who strive to continuously improve their skills”, said Joelle Ray (co-owner and Master Stylist). “Carolyn is a perfect fit for our salon. We are thrilled to add her extensive knowledge to our team”, added Ray.

Nord is a member of the L’Oreal Professional Artistic Technical Team (ATT) and has done extensive backstage work with industry veterans, Martin Parsons, Oscar Bond and Jo Blackwell. She was also a key player in L’Oreal’s launch at Fredric Fekkai in NYC. Some of her other accolades include hair styling for many television personalities and models, extensive advanced training in LA and NY, and work with MAC makeup teams.

“It feels wonderful to be part of such a talented and customer service-oriented team in a salon environment that is unparalleled”, said Nord.

March 16, 2009 (RALEIGH, NC) – Redken Artist and Hair Color Extraordinaire, Dhaniel Doud shared his “On Purpose” coloring techniques with the designers at Samuel Cole Salon. Doud is a dynamic Redken educator and facilitator who is sought after nationally and internationally. His work has been featured on the pages of American Salon, Allure, YM, Teen People, and Modern Salon, as well as on television for such shows as the MTV Music Awards, Billboard Awards, and Soul Trail Awards.

Doud takes his inspiration from “the streets”. He believes that the essential foundation of all superior hair color results starts with the principle of face and head shape, while taking the hair’s growth pattern into account. With this foundation, Doud then incorporates formula and application methods to ensure a customized individual result for each client.

Doud enthusiastically shared his hair coloring philosophy with the teams at Samuel Cole Salon in an inspiring and passionate seminar. “Dhaniel is one of the most dynamic and humorous educators that I have ever had the pleasure to learn from. He was extraordinarily inspiring and engaging. I am so excited to incorporate his methods into my coloring techniques for my clients,” said Sara Beard, a Samuel Cole Salon designer.

Samuel Cole Salon continually promotes advanced education and inspire their teams through regular education, often bringing in industry experts. In addition, their designers attend Bumble & bumble University and the Redken Exchange in NYC annually.

March 9, 2009 (Raleigh, NC) – The founders of the award winning Samuel Cole Salon, Jack and Joelle Ray, hit the streets of New York City recently to attend Bumble and Bumble University. “BbU”, as it is called, is a haven for artists that share passion, goals, and a willingness to learn. The course, Styling II, featured extremely challenging timeless classic hair dressing techniques. The curriculum included mastering the intensely detailed double French twist, chignon and the simple yet complicated haute de style “ponytail”. The style workshop was designed to develop the ultimate discipline in the stylist, as they created the classic styles of old Hollywood and pushed the visionary’s mind to create, contort, and mold hair in new, innovated ways while encouraging simplicity and elegance.

“Bb has always been the leader in our industry in runway and photo styling work. To learn these techniques from the very people doing the looks we see in the fashion magazines and on the runways were both a thrill and a honor.” says Jack Ray of his experiences in New York. These workshops are intended to inspire talented stylists to enhance their knowledge of the most current trends, and their ability to relay those trends to their clientele. “It is imperative that we as stylist are able to connect our clients to the latest looks in hair and fashion. There is an abundance of capable, gifted hairdressers out there that can create a fantastic look but the exceptional education we provide for our team as well as our clients sets us apart” says a Samuel Cole Salon Director.

February 13, 2009 – Samuel Cole Salon Stylists created hair and makeup designs for the Anti-Valentine’s Day Fashion Show held at Mosquito in downtown Raleigh. This spoof on Valentine’s Day featured 1980’s “The Breakfast Club” styled characters showcasing fashions by Privilege, Mechantes, The Metallic Spiral, and The Spectacle. Hair & makeup creations reflected “goth”, “preppy”, and “party girl” styles. Proceeds benefited the Autism Society.

Stylists from these salons also designed hair and makeup for local photographer, Josh Paul. He hosted an open shoot for photographers at The Office on Glenwood South. The shoot featured Maxim Models with sultry, sexy hair and makeup.

“Doing hair and makeup designs for fashion shows and photo shoots in the area keeps us fresh and current. It is a chance for our Stylists to work on Editorial hair and makeup. They bring that energy back to our clients at the salon and deliver high fashion cuts & color,” said Joelle Ray, one of the owners of Samuel Cole Salon.