You can find her studying in Speakman Hall, sprinting on the reds of Temple’s track or eating dinner at the Student Center. But, on any given day, it’s more than likely that you’ll find her surrounded with a caddy of pink and green curlers and an array of plastic combs.
Shanece Pratt was the creator behind 10 of the slick Mohawks, ponytail locks and Rapunzel extensions that rocked the runway models of Xpressionz’ “Innovators of Style” fashion show this past March. This student hairstylist knows how to define style.
“I enjoy hairstyling; it’s a form of expression,” Pratt said.
The self-taught Maryland native began styling hair at age 14.
“I was a shampoo girl for two weeks … it all started then,” she said.
A salon owner noticed Pratt’s talents when she came to work with her own hair set in rings of straw set curls. “After that, she began letting me flat iron, straighten and curl her clients’ hair,” Pratt said.
Nowadays the business and marketing major makes a profit here on campus. Offering services to all types of hair, Pratt performs trims, curls, straightening, extensions and braids.
Pratt gained student clients the same way she started getting jobs at home. “People saw my hair and asked where I did it,” Pratt said. “Then it was all word of mouth.”
Balancing school, track and a social life isn’t easy. “I have an average of four clients a week,” Pratt said. “It’s hard to balance everything.” To keep up with schoolwork the sophomore usually doesn’t accept hair appointments after 7 p.m. but is lenient with scheduling on the weekends.
The Xpressionz’ show in March showcased Pratt’s talent and won the confidence of the models she styled.
“I really liked my hairstyle,” said Kimberly Jennings, who rocked the runway with soft curls towered by a jelled-Mohawk. “The style felt empowering while walking down the runway and notched my attitude.”
Pratt has worked with multiple students on campus. “She trimmed my hair evenly within only a half-hour,” said Judy Wong, a communications major.
Although currently just a part-time job, Pratt hopes this will change in the near future.
“I definitely plan on pursuing a career with this,” she said.
Pratt wants to work in a hair salon based in New York City and hopes to open her own salon in the future. The young entrepreneur may even head South to hone her skills.
“My mother tells me in Georgia, there is a need for hair stylists since many of the Katrina victims relocated there,” Pratt said.
Stacy Nelson can be reached at stacy.nelson@temple.edu.
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