Hair salon Benjamin is doubling down on education.
The salon, founded by Benjamin Mohapi with locations in New York and Los Angeles, is launching Benjamin Development, designed for stylists and colorists and led by Amanda Jenkins, the salon’s head of education.
“Benjamin Salon has always set the standard for what great hair looks like. Benjamin Development exists to set the standard for how great stylists are made. I’ve spent over 30 years on both sides of this industry, and the gap between great talent and great education is still too wide. Benjamin Development closes that gap. We’re not a weekend workshop. We’re a standard,” said Jenkins.
The program is designed around two core formats: Look & Learns are focused, two- to three-hour demonstrations where a lead educator breaks down a single technique in depth. Hands-on workshops are full-day intensives centered on mannequin and live-model work, where attendees practice the technique themselves.
Several classes combine both, while sessions are kept intentionally small to preserve a close, mentor-style learning environment.
In addition to its paid programming, Benjamin Development will host free industry events in New York and Los Angeles, evenings of live demonstrations, drinks, and conversation designed to introduce the wider community to what Benjamin Salon and Development is about. The first will take place in New York this summer, with a Los Angeles event to follow in late summer.
