Hair Design Institute gets new home

The Bay Ridge division of the Hair Design Institute has gotten amakeover, and students faculty and friends are celebrating.

We’ve got a more modern school, said Director Cathy Pagan of theschool’s new 86th Street location. We’ve got a state-of-the-artfacility now.

Pagan and more than 75 others gathered together on August 17 tomark the opening of the new facility, one of the institute’s fourcampuses located in New York and Florida.

The day’s festivities, celebrating the school’s move from 67thStreet, included a visit from Borough President Marty Markowitz anda student-styled fashion show hosted by local radio station92.3FM.

We all had a great time as a family, as a team, Pagan said.

She says the new upgrade will allow the facility to increase theamount of haircuts it provides for the public with two additionalfloors, larger classrooms and additional salon space. Localresidents looking to take advantage of the enhanced space can gettheir hair done by a student for $5 to $65, depending on thecomplexity of the cut.

The improvements could also help students like 18-year-old NicoleAbruzese realize their dream of working as a hair stylist. Abruzesehas only been at the institute for a few weeks but already feelsright at home.

Everyone’s really nice, Abruzese said. The teachers are reallyhelpful. It’s good so far.