Pivot point's creative jam brings educators to amsterdam

Inspiring creativity in education - that was the aim for Pivot Point International's second Creative Jam Session, which took place in the vibrant Dutch city of Amsterdam. Pivot Point educators, who provide hairdressing training to students across the world, gathered for the event, having traveled from  far-flung destinations such as Australia, Brazil and South Korea, as well as all over Europe. They were welcomed on the first evening by Yolly Ten Koppel, International Creative & Technical Director of Pivot Point, and Jan Laan, Vice President of the company, who introduced them to the rather unusual hotel in which the group stayed. Previously a shelter for Jewish refugees and then a youth prison, the hotel was full of history, and retained features which echoed of its former days as a less luxurious lodgings. The reason for staying here, Jan explained, was to get people thinking "outside of the box" - a theme that was to continue for the rest of the two-day event.

Day one began with a presentation by Richard Ashforth, London Hairdresser of the Year nominee and International Creative Director for Saco. Richard demonstrated four different looks live on stage, each inspired by his previous collections but with a 2013 update. He also gave a fascinating insight into the thought and inspiration behind each of his collections, revealing a wide range of interests from architecture to fashion photography. For example, the Curve collection was inspired by undulating lines of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer's buildings, while the use of light in French photographer Fernand Fonssagrives' work gave rise to Collection X. In the afternoon, it was over to attendees to get creative, taking inspiration from Richard's four looks to produce their own hairstyle and present it back to the team. The aim of this was to get educators thinking more imaginatively - a new found creativity which they would hopefully take back to their students, passing on a more unique and experimental approach to hairdressing.

In the evening, there was an opportunity to relax and bond with fellow Pivot Point International educators from across the globe, over a shared feast of North African food served at a local restaurant. Then it was back to the hotel for a good night's sleep before day two, which saw Danielle Sant, Editor-in-Chief of Coiffure and Tribu-te NL take the educators through a journey on her own inspirations and vision. "Today is all about inspiration, translation, looking further and learning to observe," she told the group. The day began with a walking tour of Amsterdam. "We want you to look differently at the city," explained Yolly. "We want you to learn to see the detail in what's around you. Your job as educators if to teach students how to look further." The tour encompassed a number of thought-provoking sights, from design shops to the elegant canal-side buildings Amsterdam is known for, as well as the notorious red light district.

In the afternoon, Danielle revealed her own analysis on current trends, presenting her ideas to the audience, and asking them to come up with their own mood board in groups, based on the photos they had taken during the morning's excursion. It was an opportunity to show that they had learnt to observe often overlooked details, and use these as inspiration for creating fresh looks in their hair work. "Why do hairdressers want to learn the Pivot Point system?" summed up Jan. "Because they want the freedom to create. That's what this event has been all about."