Hairdresser Here For ‘Quiet Life’

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31409, 30 June 1967, Page 2

Hairdresser Here For ‘Quiet Life’

A young Italian hairdresser, Leonardo Pagliara, has decided to exchange the hectic pace of life in his native Genoa for a “nice, quiet life” in New Zealand.

His mother, father, and 12 - year - old brother have settled with him in Christchurch, and on Monday Mr Pagliara will begin cutting and shaping local heads of hair, which he considers need much more attention.

Since his arrival in this country Mr Pagliara has concluded that women here "like things simple,” but he expreses gentle disagreement with their attitude. “You hear it said that European women are the most beautiful in the world, but that is because they look after themselves,” he said yesterday. An advocate of anything which looks natural, Mr Pagliara favours medium length hair—well cut and shaped—with the addition of a hairpiece or wig for more formal evening styles. Backcombing is out, except as a means of easing out the roller marks after setting, he says. Any teasing must be brushed or combed right out Colouring too, should be soft and natural. “I like the pastel shades like rose champagne but nothing which tends toward yellow,” he said. “New Zealand women seem to have fine hair and should never try to bleach it themselves.”

He does not usually like red tints and he has been surprised to find these shades suit some New Zealand women. "At home the women

have olive complexions which are not flattered by red, but here your skins are so pale brighter shades give colour.” Whether to tint grey hair is also determined by the complexion. "Tinted hair can make a woman with a bright complexion look 10 years younger, while grey hair can make her look tired. But for pale complexions, grey or white hair is often softening.” The short, boyish cut of the model Twiggy is popular with Italian girls, and Mr Pagliara considers the look ideal for outdoor life in summer.

Sophisticated clients of the Genoa salon where Mr Pagliara worked preferred the even newer look of a short, fluffy hair-style. “Sometimes

we would give the hair a very soft perm, and sometimes the client would buy a short, curly wig,” he explained. Wigs Added Wigs and hairpieces were additions to many Italian women’s wardrobes. Prices for wigs of real hair were from £9O to £lOO. Hairpieces cost £3O.

Mr Pagliara is pleased to see the trend being adopted here, but advises women to have the wigs and hairpieces attached by a professional.

“Some of the very long falls sold overseas are attached to a band and that makes them easier to pin on, but most available here are more difficult to deal with,” he said. “Once attached by a hairdresser no-one need be afraid they will fall off.” For young moderns who feel very “with-it” buying the popular “artificial hair” pieces, Mr Pagliara has a surprise. “These are often made of real hair—Chinese hair imported from Hong Kong. It’s quite different from European hair, much thicker and more wiry. It can be made to look most effective,” he said. Mr Pagliara has found he must work with a head of hair several times before he can turn out the best possible result If a client has definite ideas about treatment for her hair which disagree with his views he will do as she wishes while explaining his viewpoint. Second Chance “Usually she will let me do it my way next time, but I won’t argue too much. Clients should always give their hairdresser a second chance.”

Mr Pagliara and his parents are pleased to make New Zealand their home. He has little difficulty with English and his young brother is “in his element. He is just crazy about football, and after his second day at school he was wanting me to come and join in, but I’m no good at it,” he said, with a laugh. He will certainly find the working hours considerably easier than those to which he has been accustomed. The Genoa salon opened at 8.30 a.m. and seldom closed before 9 p.m. His colleagues in Christchurch will no doubt be startled to hear of his habit of obliging customers by beginning work at 6.30 a.m. and sometimes extending the working day to midnight