Putting out new hair trends,
learned in the USA, is a leading hair stylist Kamal Hettiarachchi who
had the rare opportunity of meeting world famous people in the industry
such as Toni, Guy and John Paul Mitchell when he became the only Sri
Lankan to participate in the World Hair Dressing Championship held in
Chicago last year.
Apart from his hair do’s he also had the privilege to impart his
knowledge to teach the finer points to his juniors.
Kamal who learnt the trade from Ramani Fernando has now produced a
new technology and trend having analysed the trade from his experience
gained in the US.
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Leading hair stylist Kamal Hettiarachchi pictured at the
World Championship Chicago in 2008. |
“I guide them by bringing the world to their feet,” revealed Kamal
40, who has made a passion for fashion in hairstyles so much so ‘that
some day I will honour the top five hair dressers in Sri Lanka - Ramani
Fernando, Ramzi Rahman, Janet Balasuriya, Nayana Karunaratne and Harris
Wijesinghe’ with a dinner dance. Their hair dressing and beauty care had
given employment to thousands in Sri Lanka with over 1000 registered
salons.
Observing that there was a huge demand in the world for hair
dressers, Kamal said that the industry could become a highly potential
foreign exchange earner for the country.
If they have Vocational training centres to boost the industry. Kamal
also said that these leading hair dressers have given a good identity
which had brought forward the industry to the mainstream from what was
once the exclusive preserve of some.
He said the vocational centre could make the local hair industry into
a foreign exchange spinner by bringing in hair dressers from island-wide
under its wing by issuing certificates which is the licence to ply their
trade abroad where there’s a huge demand.Counting 18 years in the field,
Kamal, who started his career in 1990 has made vast strides making a
name for himself. He competed in an Asian competition in 1995 in
Indonesia and in Singapore the same year and attending an Asian
competition in Singapore in 1999.
Kamal’s first big break came in 2001 when his talents made him the
consultant for Sri Lanka for a hair brand-Keune at a workshop held in
the Netherlands. He also cut a swathe in his career when his services in
foreign countries gave him a big demand.
He is ever grateful to Ramani Fernando, whom he refers to with
reverence. Thanks to Ramani “I developed my career as she put me on my
feet by giving me whatever opportunities that came my way. Having had an
early stint with Janet who first showed me the way my career blossomed
under Ramani. She helped me to see the world.
“I feel that the top five should be honoured where they should meet
each other”. For this he is looking for a sponsor.
- Sriyan
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