Good fixins

When I first moved back from Paris, design diploma and bright outlook on my future career in tow, I had the privilege of landing some of my first few projects in Manila designing billboards and packaging for Bench.

Already back then Bench had that success story aura about it, having started from printed tees later expanding to full-on clothing, accessories and colognes – the embodiment of the Filipino dream.

Today there is the highly successful Bench Fix Salon which true to Bench tradition remains truly Filipino yet with a level of competence fit for foreign shores. Bench Fix Salon first opened in October 10, 2001 with its maiden branch in Robinson’s Place, Ermita. Bringing another level of excitement and innovativeness in the salon industry, Fix salon aspires to a universal Asian glamour that appeals to the young and stylish crowd. Awarded Most Promising Franchise of the Year for the Services Category by the Philippine Franchise Association only last February of this year, Bench FixSalon offers a whole new experience of pampering and relaxation.

Training is the heart of Bench Fix salon, and the training center is its hub. All Fix salon staff, from the senior stylists, hair and makeup technicians, barbers to the support services crew, undergo rigid training before they are given the chance to touch a client’s face or hair. This first rate training of professional expertise for the Fix salon staff is being offered under the guidance of seasoned hair and makeup artist Alex Carbonell who is now its creative learning director.

During the first quarter of the year, promising stylists and educators of Fix salon were sent to Singapore for further training at the London-based Toni & Guy Academy. Bench Fix Salon is also one of the participants in the Philippine Hairdressing Awards 2005, a first ever industry awards program in the Asian region whose ultimate goal is to raise regional industry standards to an international level.

With competitive pricing compared to other salons, it offers a complete array of services ranging from various trends toward textured looks, hair treatments, massage and makeup services to a nail spa. Built-in wash basins are especially designed for foot spas. Versatility in style and look can also be achieved by the Bench Fix product lines such as the Fix Hairgel, I-Fix Refresher and Fix Professionals. For that naturally tousled hairstyle, there’s a choice between the Fix Hairgel group that includes Water Crème and Spray & Hair Gel. You can put an end to that seemingly endless hair beating with the help of the I-Fix Refresher line that deodorizes and keeps your hair fresh and protected against the harmful rays of the sun. The latest group that includes the Fix Professional Shine-on Anti-frizz Hair Mist, Hairlastic Flexible Fiber, Basic Shampoo and Conditioner, Styling Stick, and Wearable Treatment is very much ideal for your day to day hair care.

After four years, Bench Fix salon now has 19 company-owned salons and six franchisees, and is still growing. Its latest and most media frenzied franchise being that of Diether Ocampo. Needless to say, all franchises follow the strict Bench Fix guidelines to maintain their high standards.

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Bench Fix Salon is currently located at Fix Robinson’s Place Ermita, Fix Glorietta, Fix Robinson’s Galleria, Fix Podium, Fix Jaka, Fix Metro East, Fix City Center, Fix Loop, Fix SM Bicutan, Fix SM North Edsa, Fix La Fuerza, Fix Ever Commonwealth, Fix Dapitan, Fix Pavilion, Fix Starmall, Fix Burgundy, Fix Diliman, Fix Manila Plaza, Fix Cabanatuan, Fix Katipunan, Fix Festival Mall, Fix Batangas, Fix Zamboanga, Fix Cybermall Libis and Fix Ayala Center Cebu.