Kate Korpi Salon hosts grand opening in Cambodia

Reception area

The Justice and Soul Foundation is hosting the grand opening of the Kate Korpi Salon in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Kate Korpi Salon teaches sustainable cosmetology skills to survivors of the sex trafficking industry.

The grand opening will be held November 22. Both Davide Bollati, Chairman and owner of Davines, and Josephine Toh, CEO of Derma Essentials will be attending the event to mark the occasion.

The event will be held on the rooftop of the beautiful Suncity Building, and will begin with guided tours of the salon, which is located on the sixth floor. The grand opening will also feature models showcasing hair and makeup styled by salon staff, and five unique fashion looks. Overall looks modeled will include professional, casual, evening, party, and trendy.

What started as an idea discussed over a cup of coffee five years ago blossomed into a full day of salon “practice” appointments for the soft opening in July. Kate Korpi Salon has become Cambodia’s premier hair salon, where students learn cosmetology and professional workplace skills from expert trainers from around the globe.

Waiting area

The Kate Korpi Salon has been developed and is managed by the non-profit Justice and Soul Foundation. The salon has been built thanks to several fundraising efforts, including a successful Fashion SOULstice event held in April that raised just over $47,000. The teaching salon was established to provide its students with the fundamentals of cosmetology (hair, skin, nails, and makeup). Students attending the school include survivors of sex trafficking and those at risk for sexual exploitation. They do not pay tuition, but are instead awarded scholarships. The program also includes a compensation plan for the students so that they can begin experiencing sustainable financial independence while learning this valuable trade.

The Justice and Soul Foundation works closely with local non-profits to ensure students have access to qualified therapists to address the trauma experienced by the victims while providing problem-solving and life skills necessary for independence and a full transition. A modified version of the Pivot Point cosmetology curriculum, which has been generously donated, is being used with special consideration given to the education levels of the students.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the new talent to invited guests. Our team is eagerly preparing for the fashion show and guided tours, and we’re thrilled to have Davide Bollati and Josephine Toh join us for this very special event. None of this would be possible without the support and generosity of hundreds of friends, family members, colleagues, and businesses around the world,” explained Justice and Soul Foundation Co-Founder Matthew Fairfax.

Salon

Kate Korpi Salon and Academy is Phnom Penh’s newest premier salon offering a full range of services, including hair, nails, makeup, and skin care, including Dermalogica Microzone treatments.

The Justice and Soul Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on eliminating the sexual exploitation of youth and children globally as well as the restoration of the survivors. Through the Founders’ shared connections to the salon and fashion industry, and, after several years of research, planning and interviews, they are enlisting the support of the beauty industry to create a sustainable, systemic solution that addresses the ongoing effects of sex trafficking.

The co-founder, Matthew Fairfax, is owner of the James Alan Salon in Shoreline.