Natalia Balabanova returns from Paris with a hair-styling “Oscar”

We are governed by stereotypes. The first and perhaps most widespread is our inferiority complex. We are masochistically content with being on sidetracks, saying they are civilized and we are not, so what do you expect. The implication being that we can do things slapdash, looking on all those disgusting things round us with a philosophic indifference. A very convenient stereotype which most of us are in no hurry to discard. Another stereotype (among many), a natural sequel to the first one, is our firm conviction that, whereas we can somehow compete on the world arena in terms of high art, even sports, we stand no chance in any other domain. This stereotype cannot be destroyed by words, only by deeds. Meaning, first: that we must really do something, not just say that we will. Second: we must have a sense of dignity and normal (read: high) self-respect. Fortunately, we have people capable of harmoniously combining the former and the latter. Not many, though, and one is chagrined to realize that such individuals are not properly recognized in their own country. Thus, a Ukrainian section was attached to a most prestigious international organization, Intercoiffure, two years ago, but the event passed practically unnoticed...

STEPPING INTO THE BIG WORLD

At that time, women sported long-waisted skirts cut above the knees and proudly displayed boyish hairdos; Charlie Chaplin was doing his best silent movie The Gold Rush, and the whole world was dancing Charleston. The impetuous 1920s when people tried to make the most of every day they lived and the watchword was conquer new expanses. Hairdressers were no exception. On April 14, 1925, the most fashionable hair stylists from Switzerland, Germany, France, and Britain gathered in Hamburg to set up an international hairdressers’ organization under the acronym IGDC. Its objective was to give an impetus to hair styling worldwide. Intercoiffure reached its peak in the 1950s, meaning that it had become an indisputable hair style trendsetter. Now the organization united hairdressers on all continents (needless to say that the Soviet Union somehow did not fit in). At present, Intercoiffure numbers over 2,500 beauty parlors in 40 countries. Their owners and managers strive to implement the newest approaches and techniques and, of course, undertake experience exchanges. Intercoiffure remains the universally recognized trendsetter, presenting new collections of hairstyles twice a year. Pictures taken at such shows are sent to every member from the “Palace of Nations”, located in one of the most fashionable districts of Paris and accommodating Intercoiffure’s Headquarters. Such illustrated information allows one to keep a sensitive finger on the hair styling pulse and is also a source of inspiration. Intercoiffure members hold the annual Mondial Performance in Paris to show their individual attainments. Selection is tough, considering the great number of aspirants. Viacheslav Diudenko, president of the Ukrainian section, and its art director Natalia Balabanova showed their collection last year. It was an overwhelming success. And a principled achievement, because Intercoiffure allows no concessions for economic instability or political considerations. Here the main and only criterion is quality and style. The Ukrainian hairdressers were superior on both counts.

This year, Natalia and Viacheslav were accorded VIP treatment at the annual meeting of the association (held in the form of a workshop seminar, symposium, etc.). Balabanova was also conferred an award instituted last year to encourage those showing an active performance in their home countries, thus tangibly contributing to the development of hairstyling. Natalia says that award was especially important because she had been nominated by colleagues, members of the section.

ART DIRECTOR OF HER OWN STATE

Natalia, we are happy to be among the first to congratulate you on the award. We might as well remind the reader that the Balabanova style is in a way that of The Day. You designed the beautiful 2002 calendar for our newspaper. Well, back to the award, how do you feel about it? Has it changed anything in your life?

I was flying home, thinking My God! I’m a star. At the airport I was met by the whole staff with flowers and champagne. All this is very good, but I’m a sober-minded individual and my attitude to publicity is quite restrained. Back in 1986, I made up my mind, I knew I would be a hair stylist. I have worked a lot ever since, every day, hour after hour. I’m not just the owner of the Style Line Salon, I’m also one of the staff, I constantly work with customers and participate in the development of trends. Twice a year we stage a hair style show courtesy of Vella Ukraine; I conduct master classes and do my own photo sessions every year. I strive to keep hairstyles and clothes in harmony. I am the art director of my own small state. My award is a confirmation that I am on the right track. I’m not going to rest on my laurels. On the contrary, recognition is a great stimulus, making me seek better quality, putting all my heart in my job.

Don’t you think there is a controversy of sorts: on the one hand, our hair stylists can challenge the world’s top experts; on the other, an average-paid woman is hard put to find an affordable beauty parlor. Can we say that the number of hair-style devotees is increasing in Ukraine?

Quite a few pretentious “VIP” salons have opened of late. They rent or buy expensive premises, do expensive repair, buy expensive equipment. But they remind me of fake candies on a huge Christmas tree. Beautiful wrappings and nothing inside. These beauty parlors lack skilled personnel and quality service. True, doing your hair is expensive, we must all understand this. However, the owners of such parlors must adopt a balanced strategy, drawing up price lists so as to allow practically everybody to have a hairdo. At times I feel like walking out on Khreshchatyk and offering every passer-by to do his or her hair. Free. Just to prove it’s not a show but a daily necessity. Every individual must have his or her barber or hairdresser that will know exactly what the customer needs, considering social standing, business environment, and so on. The hair stylist, in turn, must be respected by the clientele. This is what professional culture is all about.

By the way, watching people on Paris streets, I thought that Kyiv streets looked better. French women take jealous care of their hair, keeping it natural, but natural color is not always good. Natural-looking dyes can emphasize one’s skin tone and eyes. Our women look better in this sense.

What about your master classes?

I started teaching recently and realized this was necessary. I am familiar with world trends and I can see that our domestic hair stylists lack the school. I will eventually get around to setting up one, but now it’s just master classes. I held them in Ivano-Frankivsk and Yalta. I was happy to see a lot of young and sufficiently qualified hairdressers, all eager to work and learn. This is very important for me, as the more I give others, the more I have to share. This seminar is also fruitful because the hairdos I showed them in Yalta would soon appear in the city streets. Those were real practical hairstyles with the emphasis on healthy natural hair. By the way, Yalta’s hairdressers did them excellently. Chances are we’ll do all of Ukraine’s hair.