“y SLEEP, cat and breathe
hair.”

By Tina Giibertson
Contributing Writer

So says. Kathy Chan, owner/

operator of KathyChan Hair

_ Studio on ‘West Third Street in
North Vancouver.

The studio first opened in the
same location in 1976 as Robert
Bryan’ Hair Design, named for
- Chan’s then-partner;

In the next 10 years, the pair
opened two ‘other salons, which
eventually closed due to the reces-
sion_and the dissolution of the
‘partnership.

For Chan, left as the sole pro-
prietor of, the North Vancouver
salon, the future was far from
: certain at the end of the "80s.

Today, the salon is solidly en-
trenched in its Lower Lonsdale
situation, and. the petite
businesswoman radiates a glow of
: optimism which makes her appear
- twice her size.

“Hard work never

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det cite SA DW eke

body,’’ is what Chan's father told
her as she was growing up in
Saskatchewan. While not exactly
pithy, the maxim has sustained
Chan for the 20 years she has
spent in hairdressing.

Chan’s first love is fashion, and
she sees hair as merely a part of
the overall image.

“To me, fashion is not just
hair, {t's everything. A total look
is everything,’’ states Chan, who
has been in hairdressing for so
long that she remembers wearing
bell-bottom pants and platform
shoes to work.

The mobile entrepreneur ap-
prenticed in Vancouver, and has
studied in France, Italy, England,
Hong Kong, Malaysia, Hawaii
and California. Travel continues
to be.a part of her life as she up-
dates her training in, hairdressing
and business.

Chan’s role model is Vidal
Sassoon, with whom she has com-
pleted extensive study. She has
also studied at Trevor Sorbie, Ir-
vin Rusk, and Tony and Guy.

Chan has participated in many
hair shows, and would like to get
involved in fashion shows.

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Name: Kathy Chan
Age: 39
Occupation:
stylist
Residence: West Vancouver
Born: Hong Kong
Hobbies: Golf,
tennis

Hair. salon owner/

skiing, fishing,

In the past three years, Chan
volunteered her time and skills in
the Miss PNE Pageant, for which
she did all the contestants’ hair.
She also helped Gertie Todd
organizing the annual North Shore
Youth Contest this year and last,
and again did hair for the contes-
tants.

Chan proudly displays a stack
of thank-you letters and ac-
knowledgements from community
groups who have received her aid.
She has indeed been busy.

But not busy enough for her
taste. Part of Chan’s dream is to
create a series of hair videos for
home viewing, dealing with such
topics as children’s hair and
makeovers.

NEWS photos Miko Wakefletd

BEING BEHIND the chair is ‘still a love of hair salon owner Kathy
Chan’s. She says sho loves the ‘‘everythingness” of current halr
fashion, and is optimistic about her future in the industry.

Readers of the North Shore
News Fashion section will secall
that KathyChan Hair Studio was
the salon that restyled the. sub-
jects’ hair.

“It makes me feel good when I
make a woman feel beautiful,’
says Chan. ‘‘That’s my love: being
behind the chair.”

Keeping a high profile in the
salon and in the community while
developing new ideas for the
business and updating her educa-

, tion would probably be a full-time

job for most people, but: Chan
manages to maintain a range of

FORSTER OSE EN TLIC RT 7 (ECE

STYLE AN

- Chan has

work |

outdoor activities. :

Over the past .two decades,
tested her father’s
theory tothe limit, and rerasins
unscathed. Where does -she-‘see
herself in 10 years? In the com-
mand chair with a chain of hair
salons and a video series. _

Does she hope one day to be as
famous as Vidal Sassoon? She ex-
plodes with innocent mirth; it ap-
pears. she never thought of it be-
fore.

But the seed has been planted.
After all, hard work never hurt
Vidal Sassoon.

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