Leo Passage

Leonardus Johannes Hubertus "Leo" Passage ([pɒ.'sɒʒ]; March 21, 1936 – May 11, 2011) was a Dutch-born American hairstylist, educator, innovator and philanthropist. He was the founder and C.E.O. of Pivot Point International, a global hair and beauty education company he established in Chicago, Illinois in 1962.[1][2]

Leo Passage in 2010

As a hairstylist and cosmetology educator, Passage received over 100 international awards and honors and influenced many prominent hairstylists.[1][2] In 1988, he received the Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope for his philanthropic efforts.[3] He was named one of Modern Salon's "50 Influential Hairdressers" in 2008,[4] and was inducted into the Cosmetology Hall of Fame in 1989.[5][6]

Career

By the age of 22, Passage had earned his Design Certificate and Master Diploma in the Netherlands and had received the Champions of Holland award, earning him a spot on the Dutch Olympic Hairdressing Team, among other honors.[3][7]

Passage emigrated to the United States in 1958. By 1960, he had earned World Supreme Hairdresser of the Year and was a National Cosmetology Association (NCA) Charles Award recipient. That year, the World Hairdressing Federation formed the first U.S. Olympic Hairdressing Team, and Passage became a member and trainer, qualifying him as a two-country hairdressing Olympian.[3]

In 1962, Passage opened Pivot Point Beauty School in Chicago, which would later become Pivot Point International.[1][3] At the time of Passage's death, Pivot Point's hair and beauty curriculum was taught in 2,000 schools in over 70 countries[8] and in 15 languages.[5][9]

Innovation

Passage and Pivot Point International hold three U.S. patents on cosmetology educational aids[10][11][12] and Passage is credited with the development of cone-shaped rollers, which allowed stylists to create more complex patterns in contemporary hairstyles.[1]

A competition-grade hair mannequin of Passage's design, "Mara," was the subject of a legal dispute beginning in 1990 when a competing distributor produced a mannequin, "Liza," that Passage alleged had infringed Mara's copyright. That case was unique enough for Mara and Liza to appear as teaching tools at Harvard Law School.[9]

Legacy

By Passage's death, Pivot Point's cosmetology curriculum had produced over 1 million alumni,[1] including Andre Walker. "Leo Passage is responsible for my cosmetology education," said Walker upon learning of Passage's death. "Being in his presence, I learned a tremendous amount about hair styling, but most of all, I learned that being kind and giving and professional was most important.... He was a major force."[2]

In 2011, the annual Leo Passage Educator of the Year Award was established by Intercoiffure America/Canada (ICA) in Passage's memory, acknowledging ICA members who have made outstanding contributions to education.[13][14][15]

Personal life
Leo and Lenie Passage, mid-1960s

Family

Passage married Helena "Lenie" Plantaz (b. 29 May 1940) in the Netherlands on 19 November 1958. They emigrated to the United States two weeks later.[1][2] The Passages had two children, Robert (b. 1960) and Corrine (1962–2012).[1][16] Robert Passage is current Chairman and C.E.O. of Pivot Point International and serves on several cosmetology industry boards of directors.[17]

Honors and awards

In 1988, Passage received the Spirit of Life Award from the City of Hope National Medical Center. The Spirit of Life Award recognizes leaders in their industries who provide distinguished service to their communities. It is the highest honor given by the City of Hope.[3]

In 1989, Passage was inducted into the Cosmetology Hall of Fame, considered to be the highest award within the industry. This was presented at the Hall of Fame Gala of NCA's 69th Annual Convention in July 1989.[6][7]

In 2005, he received the inaugural Pillar of Leadership in Education for support and service through education and inspiration. He also received a lifetime award from HairAmerica Ladies and Gents.[18][19][20]

In 2008, Passage received the distinguished Visionary of the Year Award at the Intercoiffure America/Canada (ICA) meeting in recognition of his "revolutionary approach to hair design education and commitment to elevating the cosmetology industry through lifelong learning."[14]

Also in 2008, he was named one of the 50 most influential hairdressers by Modern Salon magazine.[4]

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References
  1. O'Donnell, Maureen. "Leo Passage – His Pivot Point school grew into international power", Chicago Sun-Times, 24 May 2011
  2. Nave, Mike (ed.). “Leo Passage, founder, Pivot Point Intl. (1936-2011)”, Beauty Industry Report, vol 14. no. 6, June 2011
  3. American Association of Cosmetology Schools. "Leo Passage 1997 N.F. Cimaglia Award Recipient", AACS News Report, December 1997
  4. “50 Influential Hairdressers: Impacting style through the decades”, Modern Salon, December 2008
  5. “The Pivot Point of Difference: For leader Leo Passage, education is by design”, Behind the Chair, 2007
  6. National Cosmetology Association (1971). NCA 75th Anniversary Book, p. 123
  7. "NAHA Honors Two Champions", Studio U.S.A., January–February 1993, pp. 112-113
  8. National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc. "Passing of a Giant: Leo Passage, 1936-2011", NIC Bulletin July/August 2011
  9. Davis, Ann. “Two Disembodied Blondes Are Playing Dumb in Court”, The Wall Street Journal, 24 June 1997
  10. "Hair cutting shears," U.S. Patent: USD302645 S, 8 August 1989
  11. "Magnetic three-dimensional analysis system for haircutting education", U.S. Patent: US5252074 A, 12 October 1993
  12. "Swivel base for a training aid", U.S. Patent: US9254029 B2, 9 February 2016
  13. “Leo Passage Educator of the Year Award”, Style Icons, 8 November 2011
  14. “Luis Alvarez Receives First Annual Leo Passage Educator of the Year Award” Archived 2014-07-02 at the Wayback Machine, DAYSPA, October 2011
  15. Nave, Mike (ed.). “Intercoiffure Atelier features star-studded line up”, Beauty Industry Report, vol. 14 no. 11, November 2011
  16. "DAYSPA Remembers Corrine Passage Bernin of Pivot Point International, Inc." DAYSPA Magazine, 18 May 2012.
  17. Wilson, Dori. “Robert Passage of Evanston, 2nd VP of Cosmetologists Chicago, Announces Special Event to Honor Legendary Leo Passage, Founder of Evanston-Based Pivot Point”, Chicago Tribune, 24 February 2015.
  18. Pioneer Press. "People and Promotions", The Evanston Review, 16 June 2005
  19. National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts & Sciences. "Pivot Point Founder Receives Two Awards of Distinction", NACCAS NOW, vol.1 no. 5, May–June 2005
  20. Illinois Association of Cosmetology Schools. "Pivot Point Founder Receives Two Awards of Distinction", IACS Newsletter, May 2005
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