PASSION RECISION LACID

Growth, innovation, education and lots of travel is on the cards for Placid Braganza, Founder, Placid Hairdressing and Skin, as he shares with Kanishka Ramchandani his vision for his professional journey.

As I sat down to prepare for this interview, I had a brief walk down memory lane as I recalled the time I had visited Placid Hairdressing and Skin in Khar, Mumbai. The salon’s milieu felt like an extension of Founder Placid Braganza’s personality – steady, calm and wellbalanced. The moment you step in, the salon instantly turns into your private comfort zone. Next, I looked up his Instagram grid and scrolled through is numerous travel posts. And finally, I watched his live demo sessions that showcase his passion for education as he steers young learners towards technically-sound hairdressing, never shying away from sharing his knowledge with eager minds.

Braganza lets his work speak for itself, and it speaks volumes through his personal achievements, his well-trained staff members, his training sessions, his technical know-how, his brand commitments and above all, his satisfied clients. Armed with this information and my past encounters with one of the industry’s most soft-spoken hair artists, I got down to interviewing him. Here are the excerpts from our exclusive interaction:

Tell us about the recent developments in your work.

I’ve always been passionate about education, and now I’m stepping into it full-fledged. As a hairstylist, nothing excites me more than mentoring and watching other hairstylists grow. With 25 years of experience in the industry, I’m now focusing on creating courses and masterclasses, bringing all that knowledge together to contribute to the next generation of professionals. Education has always been my forte, and I’m thrilled to be making it a bigger part of my journey.

How has the Indian colour customer evolved?

The Indian colour customer has evolved tremendously over the years. Earlier, the word bleach would instantly cause hesitation, but now, clients are much more open to doing whatever it takes to achieve their desired look. Whether it’s bleaching, committing to regular salon visits, or investing in the right products for maintenance, there’s a strong shift towards awareness and experimentation. With the rise of advanced colour products, better education and social media influence, the Indian market is now more ready than ever to embrace global hair trends with confidence.

What are the key takeaways from your journey as a hairdresser?

There are no shortcuts to success! Today, there’s a lot of celebrity status attached to being a hairstylist, but achieving that level comes with years of dedication, learning and hard work.

"I love that SHAPES, TEXTURES and COLOURS now have a more relaxed, LIVED-IN FEEL rather than looking overly STYLISED . Everything LEANS TOWARDS an effortless, CHIC AESTHETIC that feels MODERN and WEARABLE ."

The new generation often wants quick results, but the truth is, every profession requires you to put in the effort, especially in the early years. Education is key. If you focus on learning, refining your craft and building a solid foundation, the sky is truly the limit. Master your skills first, and everything else—recognition, success and growth—will follow.

How has travelling influenced your art?

Travelling has been a huge source of inspiration for me as a hairstylist. It truly brings the world closer, not just in terms of trends but also through the diversity of cultures, people and artistic influences. Every trip exposes me to new perspectives—whether it’s fashion, architecture, or street style—all of which shape the way I see and approach hair.

It’s not always about hair directly. It’s the colours of a city, the textures in nature or even the way people express themselves that spark fresh ideas. Every time I return, I feel energised, motivated and ready to translate that inspiration into my work. Travelling doesn’t just broaden my creativity—it strengthens my confidence and keeps me evolving as an artist.

What are your plans for Year 2025 as a hairdresser, salon owner, brand ambassador and traveller?

As a hairdresser, I’m committed to developing new course curriculums and exploring fresh, exciting topics in hairdressing through my masterclasses.

As a salon owner, my focus this year is on creating highly personalised, tailor-made salon services for my clients while training my team to elevate both technical expertise and client experience.

As a brand ambassador, I plan to maximise my association with brands to reach and empower more professionals through education, helping raise industry standards.

As a traveller, I haven’t pinned my next destination yet, but I know it will be somewhere new and inspiring—because that’s how I choose my travels. I’ve already visited one country this year, and I’m excited to see where the rest of the year takes me!

What advice would you like to give to upcoming stylists?

Hairdressing is more than just a profession—it’s a powerful way to impact people’s lives. The joy of seeing a client smile in your chair is unmatched because hair is a big deal, and making someone happy in today’s world is an even bigger one.

To succeed in this industry, you must focus on client servicing—how you make people feel is just as important as the hair you create. And the real key to building a strong clientele and a successful career? Education, education, education! Never stop learning, evolving and refining your craft. That’s what will set you apart.