Talent, creativity and loyalty to the craft are common traits for those who trained at the Servilles Academy.
Lance Ainofo
Lance is the consummate creative, a talented singer, performer and recent student/graduate of New Zealand’s prestigious Toi Whakaari drama school. Lance has worked with Servilles on and off for over 14 years with a contagious enthusiasm for his craft. “I’ve done fashion week many times with Servilles, I’ve judged Servilles Got Talent at the academy and I have worked with some wonderful clients over the years,” says Lance.
For Lance it is the balance between creativity and the opportunity to have a really positive impact on people’s lives that drives him. “It’s that moment at the end of a service when you hold back the mirror to show the end result. The look on their face says it all. Knowing my work can help set someone up to feel like that for another six to eight weeks is totally rewarding,” says Lance.
“I’ve been away for about three years in Wellington and while I was there I was always bumping into people in the industry who had a connection to Servilles. It makes you realise just how special the Servilles family is and how much clients and staff really feel a connection to the brand,” explains Lance.
Ljupka Petreski
Platinum stylist Ljupka Petreski has been with Servilles for 21 years, winning L’Oreal Colour trophies and being part of countless creative shoots. “I have achieved a lot over the years and it’s all driven by my love of art, design and fashion. I’ve always had the sense that hair styling is a natural link to all of these,” says Ljupka.
Ljupka began her career working with Paul Huege de Serville on fashion shows and photo shoots. “I gained so many incredible skills working with Paul and it helped me realise right from the beginning that this was the exact work that I should be doing.” After 20 years working with Servilles, Ljupka still feels the same. “This is my passion, it’s allowed me to impart my knowledge, help people, help them gain a better picture of themselves and sense of who they are,” says Ljupka. “I’m part of a legacy-building brand and the new Sale Street salon seems like an extension of that legacy. The design has an impressive use of space and sense of scale, yet still retains an intimate feeling – I can’t wait till it opens later this month.
Servilles Ponsonby, soon to open at 18 Sale Street, currently at 348 Ponsonby Road. T: 09 378 9799, www.servilles.com