by: Melanie Brooks

Armani has Armani Express, Donna Karan has DKNY, Ralph Lauren has Polo, and starting in November Vidal Sassoon will have Sassoon Studio.

Upscale clothing lines, such as Carpool Couture from Michael Kors, have created moderate priced extensions on their famous name brand to bring their high priced fashion to the masses. The Sassoon Studio is only the second of its kind in North America, the first being in Northbrook, Illinois.

Vidal Sassoon Salon, located on Newbury Street between Burberry and Akris, is known throughout the beauty industry for its revolutionary modern haircuts and color. The new Sassoon Studio will make its home in Newton Centre and will use the salons as "creative hubs" for training and direction. Stylists for the new Sassoon Studio have been training at the Boston Vidal Salon and are "ready and excited for the studio launch."

The Sassoon Studio differs from the Vidal Sassoon Salon in more ways than one. Firstly, the Studio stylists will deliver all the services personally from start to finish rather than separate cutting and coloring departments. Also, the appointments at the studio will also be scheduled for 15 minutes less than at the full service salon. The prime difference, however, are the prices. While a haircut at the Vidal salon will cost you upwards of $100, the studio prices are nearly snipped in half, giving regular people (myself included) a cause for celebration!

Geared towards 15 to 29-year-olds who "want a quality haircut for a mid range price," the Sassoon Studios fit the bill while bringing high caliber coiffure services into the suburbs.

"With the Sassoon Studio, we are able to bring Vidal Sassoon concepts right to the hearts and 'heads' of clientele all across America who demand today's latest looks," says Tim Hartley, Vidal Sassoon's International Creative Director. "In keeping with Vidal Sassoon's heritage of diversity and style, we want to offer consumers options in their hair care experience. Vidal Sassoon salons offer a very service-orientated departmentalized overall hair experience, whereas Sassoon Studio offers a more casual streamlined service."

For 50 years, Vidal Sassoon salons have been leading their industry with precision cuts and colors. Sassoon stylists are trained experts whose seasonal looks "separate them from the rest." Salons span the country with locations in Boston, NYC, Beverly Hills, Miami, Atlanta, Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Scottsdale. Vidal Sassoon is also represented worldwide with salons in the U.S., Germany, Canada, and the U.K. (London) where new Sassoon Studios will also be springing up this winter.

To make sure that the Studios maintain the Vidal Sassoon philosophy of "quality and creativity", the Studio stylists are trained exclusively by the International Creative Team "to keep them ahead of all the latest trends in hair." The Sassoon Studio provides a "fun and unique concept with the perfect pedigree."

To become a Vidal Sassoon Salon stylist one must complete a rigorous 11-month training program, working your way up from the bottom. Previous experience isn't necessary, but dedication certainly is. To become a Sassoon Stylist one must already have at least 2 years of experience to be accepted into the 8-week training program. And being a Studio stylist means you don't have to choose between a career in coloring or a career in haircutting because you get to do both!

Chris Haynes of CBH Communication is in charge of promotion for the Sassoon Studio. He describes the new studio as having a streamlined approach standard as most other salons do, but with the quality craftsmanship that gives Vidal Sassoon it's prestigious reputation.

And what about stylist turnover? "Practically none" says Haynes. No more following your favorite stylist all over the city!

Patrick McGinley, the award-winning Creative Director at the Vidal Sassoon in Boston, is heading up the training for the new Studio hair stylists. He describes the Newton Centre Studio as "a bit more casual and laid back" than the Newbury Street Salon.

The 1500 square foot studio moves into 769 Beacon Street with an open and modern dcor designed by Shea, Inc. that exudes a chic and edgy style that appeals to the fashion forward. The space will have eight stylists stations and a comfy reception area where you can sit and ponder on your new look.

With a "unique and simplified la carte menu of hair services," the Sassoon Studio offers its clients cut, color, and treatment options that best fit their personal style. The prices will also keep your bank account looking good with the "Get the Look" service of a complete cut, color, and style for a scant $95.00 and changes seasonally with each new hair collection. Compared with other salons that charge at least $200 for the same services, the Vidal Studio proves itself to be a great deal for a quality experience.

Think you've got what it takes to be a Sassoon Stylist? Log on to http://www.sassoonstudio.com and fill out the application form!