Beauty Launchpad Magazine

MAY 2017

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38 | BEAUTY LAUNCHPAD | MAY 2017 M ost stylist parents are supportive when a child chooses to follow in the same tress-fashioning footsteps, but such was not the case for Carole Protat. Born in Paris, the middle child of three was raised by a single mom who worked as a hairdresser. "After school I would go to her salon and do my homework in the back room, but from a young age, the lively main fl oor is where I loved to be," Protat recalls. Soon she began helping by taking clients' coats, bringing tea or coffee, and eventually shampooing scalps and performing other basic services. By age 12, she was hooked; haircare was her destiny. But her mom, well acquainted with the industry's potential pitfalls and struggles, lobbied hard for a different occupation until it became clear that her daughter couldn't be dissuaded. After high school, the precocious 17-year-old attended FORMULAA, a prestigious cosmetology trade school (now closed) where she completed a comprehensive nine-month program covering not just technical cut and color principles, but also aspects of design. "I met incredible artists who helped shape the course of my career," reveals Protat. She simultaneously scored an apprenticeship at Salon Gilles, a sprawling three-story spa—and by the year's end she'd taken over the top level, transforming it into an "under 25 department." "The experience taught me a lot; mainly that I never wanted to open my own salon," laughs Protat. Instead, the burgeoning expert chose a different road. In 1991 she became a distributor for Sebastian International, attracted by the prospect of working with like-minded artists. Three years later, her role evolved into being a freelance member of the international artistic team, a position held until 1999, when she swapped Parisian chic for L.A. sunshine. Now, as North American creative director for Coty Professional Beauty (parent group of Sebastian and other brands), Protat is in a demanding role. Up by 6:00 a.m. most days, she drinks coffee while responding to emails and monitoring social media. Global conference calls come next, followed by ensuring that current projects—product launches, shows and events, educational developments, upcoming shoots and artists' trainings—remain on track. "I believe in teamwork and bringing a vision to life," Protat muses. "Though now part of a big corporation, we're still truly a family." Future plans wrap up each day, and with the recent additions of OPI and ghd to the Coty portfolio, 2017 promises to be an exciting year. Coty Professional Beauty North American creative director Carole Protat brings effortless French chic to the growing global brand. ÑFM L I V E & LE A R N Profi les ç La Mode COURTESY OF COTY PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY Perfectly Protat Where do you call home? I live in Los Angeles, but Paris will always be my home. How do you relax? By disconnecting! I spend time with Denis, my husband and partner in crime of 26 years, and our daughters: Ambre, 21, and Jade, 16. Describe the last great trip you took. I went to Barcelona for the International Trend Vision Awards. From food to people to energy, I love everything about that city. I'm continuously awed by the Gaudí art on every corner. Where do you fi nd inspiration? I love art, fashion, music and architecture, but the younger generation excites me most. They don't follow trends, but rather fearlessly create them. What's one thing readers don't know about you? I used to play drums. Growing up, I was a huge hard rock fan: Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, AC/DC. My music tastes have since evolved—but I still love a good head banging jam! Carole Protat Protat shares the stage with the late Fabio Sementilli at the 2015 Wella Professionals North American Trend Vision Awards. Protat announces the winners at the fi rst regional Wella Professionals Trend Vision competition, held in Chicago last year. Protat mingles with the 2015 Sebastian Professional What's Next award winners and the design team.

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