A Hamilton institution marks 70 years of training hair stylists in Ontario
CBC
As Hamilton hair design school Bruno's celebrates its 70th anniversary, owner Sima Sakha says it can proudly point to generations of graduates.
"In every salon in Hamilton or the Toronto area that you go, there are likely at least one or two people who graduated from Bruno's," said Sakha, who is also a former student of the school. "I know people whose grandparents graduated from Bruno's, and their parents, and now they are here."
Bruno's Schools of Hair Design, which is located in the city's Bartonville east-end neighbourhood, was founded in London, Ont., in 1953. It opened locations in Hamilton, Toronto, Mississauga and Scarborough, though it eventually sold most of them. According to the school, it has graduated more than 20,000 stylists over the years.
"We provide employment, education and also barbering and beauty services to the public," Sakha said. "I'm proud to continue this journey."
She said the school, which currently has about 35 students, can teach people with no experience and also offers refresher courses for people with experience who need a locally recognized licence.
A beginner needs to complete 1,500 hours to get a diploma, and they can study full-time or part-time. Students can learn a range of skills including hair cutting, colouring, barbering, manicuring and makeup.
On a recent Monday, a class of students watched intently as one of Bruno's instructors cut a person's hair in front of them, narrating what they were doing and asking the class questions.
"How much does hair grow in a month?"
"Half an inch," someone called out in response.
Should you blow dry every time? On that, students' opinions were mixed. "I say yes," the instructor said, suggesting it helps to see how hair will fall when it's dry.
One student, Daniel Hana, whose parents own hair businesses in Hamilton, has been learning at Bruno's for about six months.
"My father actually went to Bruno's and he had a wonderful experience, so I wanted to follow in his footsteps. I'm seeming to like it just as much as he did."
Hana particularly enjoys barbering, likening it to a sculptor "carving out a shape."
"My plan is definitely to work with my parents first and foremost, and then later on, I want to open my own business."
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