L’Oréal Professional Products has unveiled a 13,097 square foot Academy in Hudson Yards, designed as a creative epicenter and global benchmark for technical mastery in color and haircare. The hub serves as a collaborative crossroads for licensed professionals, focused on upskilling in business, creativity, and technology to power the next era of salon services.
For more than 115 years, L’Oréal Professional Products has been embedded in the salon industry and now reaches 31% of the U.S. hairstylist population, empowering around 400,000 stylists and colorists every year through omni channel education. Chairman David Greenberg said, “Opening this state-of-the-art Academy dedicated to the professional is another strategic step in building long-term growth for this amazing profession”, stressing that education remains “the heartbeat” of the industry as client needs evolve.
From Redken Exchange to the largest U.S. education footprint
The Hudson Yards flagship marks a historic evolution for the group by relocating the iconic Redken Exchange from 5th Avenue and uniting the full professional brand portfolio under one roof, just steps from L’Oréal’s headquarters. Together with the existing Academy in El Segundo, California, the brand now operates what it describes as the largest professional education footprint in the United States.
Leslie Marino, President of L’Oréal Professional Products Division U.S., said ”I am incredibly proud of this beautiful multi branded space, it’s a testament to the passion of our group”, calling it a “birthplace for tomorrow’s trends,” and noted that by hosting 30,000 classes a year the division is providing tools for stylists to master their craft and achieve professional fulfillment.
Curriculum built for every level and format
The Academy’s education offer spans from foundational to advanced training, with dedicated certification pathways in French Balayage, color theory, design, and more, all led by a fleet of about 750 elite educators, including names like Sam Villa, Min Kim, and Michelle O’Connor. Courses are designed to be inclusive and accessible, with price points ranging from $150 to $5,000, and hybrid global masterclasses that can reach over 2,000 stylists per session.
There is also influencer partner programming that gives top creators scalable formats to host branded classes, creating new revenue and visibility opportunities while connecting social communities directly to professional education.
High-tech, sustainable design in partnership with Gensler
Developed with architecture and design firm Gensler, the Academy blends cutting edge tech with eco conscious construction. Features include specialist “true color” lighting for accurate shade work, movable acoustic walls, and “follow me” precision cameras that enable high definition livestreaming of classes and demos.
Built to LEED Gold standards, the space incorporates ADA compliant stations and Gjosa water saving faucets to reduce environmental impact, while a custom installation by New York City artist Eric Haze serves as a visual centerpiece linking street art and high fashion.
Powering the future of professional beauty
With a portfolio that includes brands such as Biolage Professional Hair Spa, ColorWow, Kérastase, L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, Matrix, Mizani, Pulp Riot, Pureology, Redken 5th Ave, Shu Uemura Art of Hair, and SalonCentric, L’Oréal Professional Products is using the new Academy to anchor its mission to support hairdressers and foster sustainable industry growth through education and technology.
By centralizing training, innovation, and community building in Hudson Yards, the division is positioning this landmark space as a laboratory for the techniques, services, and trends that will shape salon business in the years ahead.
