Moroccanoil’s inimitable global hair community descended on Las Vegas in September for The Collective, an unparalleled multi-day event that fostered inspiration, education and community at its peak. We spoke to local Moroccanoil representatives Richi Grisillo, Lauren McMurray and Rachel Hannah about what they gained from the experience.

The Collective event by Moroccanoil raised the bar with an international experience in Las Vegas, and our own Australian hairdressers came back refreshed and motivated by the dynamic opportunity abroad.

The three days included a pool party, a welcome evening that presented a live runway show with new trending hair looks and a myriad of education courses across tailored colour, shape, cuts and texture, curls and coils and more, as well as networking opportunities with the global community. The event also presented a variety of panels, a global hair competition, private dinners, evening events and plenty of entertainment.

“Moroccanoil The Collective was an amazing forum of connecting as a community, interacting with the global hairdressing community as well as showcasing the incredible talent within the Moroccanoil family with education sessions,” shared Moroccanoil ambassador Richi Grisillo of Academie Salon in NSW. “The highlight was interacting with people on a more personal level at the evening galas and finishing party. To be immersed among the global Moroccanoil community is an incredible feeling, it’s such a close family that embraces every aspect of the industry and it’s always such a valuable experience.”

“You could genuinely feel the passion from the Moroccanoil Global team in sharing this event with stylists from around the world. Everyone from Robert Ham, the Vice President of Global Education for Moroccanoil, through to Antonio Calero, Moroccanoil’s Global Creative Director, spent so much time meeting and talking to all the attendees individually,” added salon owner Lauren McMurray Sherwin, of Iron & Ivy, which is the Moroccanoil flagship salon in New Zealand. “The amount of energy and dedication that went into making The Collective such an enjoyable and valuable experience for everyone showed that, while a lot of companies talk about how they’re a family, I experienced this ‘family reunion’ firsthand. I will 100 per cent be going to The Collective again in the future.”

In the myriad of inspiring sessions, the panels on the final day stood out as a highlight, with influencer and business focuses covering the full gamut of insights. Richi represented Australia with aplomb as a part of the panel.

“Being able to share the stage with three juggernauts from the hair industry in the USA to discuss the rapidly changing climate of the industry from a business perspective was an absolute ‘pinch me’ moment. Being able to represent Australia on a world stage is always an honour, especially while representing Moroccanoil,” Richi shared.

“The entire experience was incredible so it’s hard to pick a favourite, but I really enjoyed the influencer panel,” Lauren added. “Listening to such industry leaders and incredible stylists such as Rachel Williams, Jessica Scott and Greg Gilmour share their respective journeys from behind the chair, but also more importantly their personal experiences using Moroccanoil Professional Haircolor, was both inspiring and exciting for me personally having recently introduced the colour range to my salon.”

Creative hairdresser Rachel Hannah of Halo Hair in Queensland cited heralded global names such as the brand’s co-founder Carmen Tal and Global Color Ambassador Gareth Williams, who shared easy to follow lived-in colour techniques, as major educational highlights, as well as a gala night that put every hairdresser at the centre of rare international talent.

“The experience made me feel like I belonged as part of the brand,” Rachel said. “I would definitely recommend The Collective. It was so nice coming home feeling a part of something big.”

Insights into leveraging AI and advice for hairdressers and salon owners to navigate the ever-changing landscape of hair proved a vital component of the business education, led by leaders in this sector such as Mary Rector, Founder of Behind The Chair. Social media education pioneered by Haley Gable from Behind The Chair was also an informative business element.

Technical education highlights included a showcase of techniques from stylists such as Gareth Williams, Lisa Dinh and Mags Rosen, as well as a texture session from Greg Gilmore, focusing on styling curly hair with the Moroccanoil portfolio, all of which were cited as highlights by our Australian and New Zealand attendees.

“I’m a huge believer that education is what keeps our industry moving. To remove yourself from local talent and experience different points of view, techniques and experiences is the best reward you can give your education to diversify how you work in salon as well as in the creative side of our industry,” Richi shared.

Beyond the insights, knowledge and takeaways from this valuable event, the sense of luxury and pampering afforded to all attendees made the five-star getaway an indulgence from the first moment.

“It’s an experience like no other,” Lauren shared. “The Collective has totally raised the bar for the industry globally when it comes to creating an event. I honestly could not get over the sheer scale and attention to detail during the three days. From the moment I arrived at registration and I received the most incredible beach gift bag filled with goodies – even a Moroccanoil Blow Dryer Brush – to entering the welcoming pool party, being served a delicious blue cocktail upon arrival and then standing there in awe as the whole side of the 60 storey hotel was lit up with Moroccanoil, I was astounded from day one.”

“I can say that all the commitment to the industry and the passion that goes into making your favourite Moroccanoil products that we know and love, was present at every opportunity during the event.”

A three-day, global party in the heart of Vegas, with education, innovation and Moroccanoil’s unique sense of family at the forefront, The Collective raised the bar in how we celebrate hair communities. See you next time.

For more information visit www.thehaircaregroup.com.au

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