Leo Passage

Leonardus Johannes Hubertus "Leo" Passage ( ɒ.'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.O'Donnell, Maureen. "Leo Passage – His Pivot Point school grew into international power", Chicago Sun-Times, 24 May 2011Nave, Mike (ed.)
“Leo Passage, founder, Pivot Point Intl. (1936-2011)”
''Beauty Industry Report'', vol 14. no. 6, June 2011

As a hairstylist and cosmetology educator, Passage received over 100 international awards and honors and influenced many prominent hairstylists. In 1988, he received the Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope for his philanthropic efforts.American Association of Cosmetology Schools. "Leo Passage 1997 N.F. Cimaglia Award Recipient", ''AACS News Report'', December 1997 He was named one of ''Modern Salons "50 Influential Hairdressers" in 2008,“50 Influential Hairdressers: Impacting style through the decades”
''Modern Salon'', December 2008 and was inducted into the Cosmetology Hall of Fame in 1989.“The Pivot Point of Difference: For leader Leo Passage, education is by design”
''Behind the Chair'', 2007National Cosmetology Association (1971). ''NCA 75th Anniversary Book'', p. 123

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."NAHA Honors Two Champions", ''Studio U.S.A.'', January–February 1993, pp. 112-113

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.

In 1962, Passage opened Pivot Point Beauty School in Chicago, which would later become Pivot Point International. At the time of Passage's death, Pivot Point's hair and beauty curriculum was taught in 2,000 schools in over 70 countries and in 15 languages.Davis, Ann
“Two Disembodied Blondes Are Playing Dumb in Court”
The Wall Street Journal, 24 June 1997

Innovation

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

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.

Legacy

By Passage's death, Pivot Point's cosmetology curriculum had produced over 1 million alumni, 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."

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.“Luis Alvarez Receives First Annual Leo Passage Educator of the Year Award”
, ''DAYSPA'', October 2011

Personal life

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. The Passages had two children, Robert (b. 1960) and Corrine (1962–2012). Robert Passage is current Chairman and C.E.O. of Pivot Point International and serves on several cosmetology industry boards of directors.

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.

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.

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.Illinois Association of Cosmetology Schools. "Pivot Point Founder Receives Two Awards of Distinction", ''IACS Newsletter'', May 2005

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."

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

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Passage, Leo
American hairdressers
1936 births
2011 deaths
Dutch emigrants to the United States