NCA Hosts Katrina Fund-Raising Ball at CMBS

Guests at the International Legends Ball will enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing from 8 pm – midnight. Cocktail attire is preferred for this gala event. Tickets for the Ball are available online at www.IsNow.com or by calling 1-800-883-7808. The ticket price of $175 per person also includes one ticket to CMBStyle, the Couture/Coiffure Extravaganza on Sunday evening. CMBStyle will also benefit the NCA Disaster Relief Fund/Katrina.

The International Legends Ball honors individuals for creative ideas, progressive thinking and overall contributions to the highest standards of the beauty industry. According to NCA President Josephine Zeppieri, “The International Legends Ball celebrates our industry’s own for their forward-thinking contributions to the professionalism of the salon industry. NCA is delighted to continue our tradition of honoring outstanding individuals from all facets of the salon industry with this Ball.”

Co-chairs for the 2006 International Legends Ball are Lydia Sarfati of Sarkli-Repêchage, Ltd., and Michael Renzulli, chairman of Sally Beauty Company. Members of the NCA President’s Advisory Council will serve as the International Legends Ball Committee. (Editor Note: Council members listed at end of release). RUSK/BaBylissPRO are Platinum Sponsors for the 2006 International Legends Ball.

Mario Tricoci is First Honoree

The first International Legends Ball will honor NCA member Mario Tricoci, founder of the Mario Tricoci Salons & Day Spas. Mario, who immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1960, participated in hairdressing competitions early in his career and served as an alternate to NCA’s 1968 USA Hairdressing Team.

Mario and his wife Cheryl are widely acknowledged for their contribution to the growth of Day Spas and esthetics in this country. By the year 2000, Mario Tricoci Salons & Day Spas grew to 26 locations and merged with Elizabeth Arden & Red Door Spas.

The new Tricoci University of Beauty Culture provides customized education in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, advanced education and instructor training. Mario is president of La Foundation Guillaume for young professionals, on the Central Committee of Intercoiffure Mondial and a member of Intercoiffure America/Canada, Cosmetologists Chicago and American Association of Cosmetology Schools.

Olive Benson Honored

The International Legends Ball will also include a well-deserved tribute to the late Olive Benson, a long-time NCA member, who also began her career participating in and winning NCA-sponsored hairdressing competitions.

The acknowledged expert in relaxing and straightening hair, Olive was an NCA HairAmerica educator and in 1991, was inducted into the National Cosmetology Association’s Hall of Renown. She received awards from the International Beauty Show, served as NCA Styles Director and was the first African-American to receive a North American Hairstyling Award. She consulted with many manufacturers, was education director for Soft Sheen Products and created her own line of hair products—Universal Textures. Olive Benson passed away on June 26, 2005. Four college-educated daughters survive her. Two are educators, one a hair stylist and the other the coordinator/manager of Olive’s Salon in Chestnut Hill, MA.

As Jerry Gordon, president of Cosmetologists Chicago noted in announcing the International Legends Ball, “CMBS is the perfect venue for this event. Our show is owned and produced by salon professionals. What better place and time to honor those who have taken our industry to greater heights?”

NCA President’s Advisory Council / International Legends Ball Committee