Seema Jerajani, Founder of SVJ Academy, a visionary trendsetter and one of the most sought-after hair artists in the industry, who is known for pushing her creative boundaries with unparalleled inspiration, innovation, expertise and passion for education. She has given a new definition to hairdressing in India, and created iconic masterpieces for supermodels and celebrities for ramps, fashion weeks, trade shows, and hair and fashion events in India and on the international stage.
Seema is a true inspiration for hairdressers in the industry. She has authored the book Art of Indian Coiffures, an educational book on Indian hairstyles, and released a hair collection for UK’s hair show Salon London. With her profound experience in hairdressing, she has had many noteworthy moments and prestigious milestones in her career.
The celebrity hair and makeup artist talks about her interesting journey and her thoughts on the evolution and future of hairdressing.
- From acquiring from academies in the UK to being a hair artist designing looks for hair and fashion shows to being an educator giving training programs and an author sharing knowledge and writing books on hair art, how have you managed to take your career graph on an upward swing.
It has been a journey of four decades now, with continuous learning from the best, perseverance, patience, and innovation which has kept my career graph on an upward swing.
I have been involved with trainings for academies and international brand, launching international hair products, organising fundraising events like the Cut-a-thon, training people for championships in makeup & hair, photoshoots for magazine, writing articles for magazines, competing and winning international championships, International Jury in Paris, online trainings in India and globally during covid. | have been releasing my hair collections every year, Hair shows, fashion shows, red-carpet events, designing make-up palettes and bridal looks for international brands. I am also a visiting verifier and quality controller for international exams for hair and beauty in India.
- As a visionary, trensdsetter and celebrity hair and makeup artist with four decades of experience what
is that one most important thing that enhances client experience?
It’s a combination of knowledge, technical skills, ability to communicate, understanding the requirements of the client and then offering the best. - Indian hairdressers are widely being recognised at the international level. How has the evolution and transformation been over the years?
Long way to go before Indianhairdressers will be recognised internationally. The skills need to largely improve before we make a mark internationally. For international recognition, either one must have mastery in their
skills that is noticed or one competes in international championships.
“Continuous learning is a must. Practice with patience is required. While specialisation is great, complimentary professional skills will enhance one’s work.” - What are the trends and technological advancements shaping the Indian hair industry?
Trends here depend a lot on Bollywood trends. Trends and technological advancement are a lot to do in terms of products that enhance the quality of hair or reduce treatment time. Most trends depend on trainings imparted by the color companies that launch their collections Trends are followed in the cities to some extent. Women still want beautiful long hair, however men are being trendier in terms of haircuts, color and using styling products. - With innovations in Al, AR and VR how do we use them in your work?
The hair industry is primarily to do with technical skills and soft skills which is what I focus on when I am teaching. - SVJ academy is renowned for conducting training for future hairdressers. What role does educating and training play to besides creating job opportunities?
Good education is more than imparting technical skills. Education at SVJ is imparted in an intimate class of 6 to 8 students in a batch where one learns to work smarter rather than harder, self-care with awareness of
maintaining the right posture while working, collaborations with other individuals from the academy, opportunity to work with successful seniors, goal setting, encouragement and guidance to compete at national and international competitions which enhances the skills and improves confidence in one’s abilities, photography skills for social media.
Besides training, what other initiatives have you spear headed to stay relevant in the hairdressing industry?
I have authored’ Art of Indian Coiffures’ an educational book on hairstyling that is one of its kind, globally.
I compete in international competitions and have won or been a finalist in most championships.
- You have received prestigious awards such as ‘Hall of Fame Hair Artist of the Year by Schwarzkopf Professionel Estetica Hair Couture’ and ‘International Online Championship by Georgy Kot”. How do these awards and milestones make you feel?
Receiving these prestigious awards gives recognition to my work and it is taking me towards my goal of bringing India on the world map in hairdressing. - How does the future of the hair industry look to you?
Its quoted in one of our scriptures, The Srimad Bhagvatam, canto 12, chapter 2, verse 6, that in the present age, the Kali yug, “Lavanyam Kesa — Dharanam’ meaning beauty is thought of depending on one’s hairstyle’…
The future of the hair industry is definitely great!!
