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Winnie Loo (born 1956) is a hairstylist, celebrity entrepreneur, best-selling author and Personal Branding Coach. She is known as the Founder & Group Chief Creative Director of A Cut Above Salons and Academies of Malaysia.

Loo rose to fame with five premier five premier A Cut Above salons, four Re:Style salons, nine X-Cut kiosks, and A Cut Above Academy stationed strategically in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Winnie Loo received her Datin title on the 24th October 2013 in Malaysia for her contribution towards the local hair industry.

Early Life & Education
Loo was born in Perak, Malaysia. Her late father, Loo Yew Poh was the president of the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Perak Foundry Association. He also ran a successful tin mining business and three iron foundries in Ipoh.

She had her education at Tarcisian Convent Ipoh. Her love for the creative arts let her to pursue the path of hairdressing despite much opposition from her father. Convinced by her father as a backup plan, she enrolled in 1974 to study in Stamford College for the London Chamber of Commerce Studies. Upon securing her diploma, Winnie left for London with her Diploma in hand to pursue an intensive course in hairstyling under the tutelage of Vidal Sassoon. She graduated with honours from London’s Morris Masterclass, Sassoon, Alan international an affiliate to the British Federation Hair Dressing Council.

Following a few stopovers in some salons in London and Singapore, Loo returned to Malaysia in the late 1977 and soon opened her first A Cut Above salon in Wisma HLA (formerly Wisma MPI). Loo believes in continuing education and completed a Malaysian Skills Certificate from SkillsMalaysia on the 4th October 2013.

Business Venture
Unable to pursue cutting hair due to scepticism from many clients due to her pint-size petiteness, Loo found herself doing jobs that were not in line with her vision-hair shampooing, dyeing and perming.

After having similar experiences in two other salons, she decided to head to somewhere closer to home – Singapore. Loo received undesirable office politicking and decided to throw in the towel as politicking escalated and head back to Kuala Lumpur.

Loo had her big break when a regular client offered her a business proposition to open a hair salon together. Together with her new business partner, they pioneered their first 428 square feet salon in Wisma HLA (formerly Wisma MPI) in 1979.

Not long after Loo’s business partner offered her to buy back the shares. Loo’s husband then boyfriend Richard Teo came on board to take over company shares. Teo came on board and assisted in the business expansion.

Their business empire grew the branches of A Cut Above salons, eventually opening Re:Style studios and then the X-Cut chain.

Loo was honoured as World Master of the Craft Title, as recognition of her work for revolutionizing hairdressing in Malaysia. Her saloon, A Cut Above with multiple branches stationed in upscale Malaysian shopping malls quickly gained international recognition.

Loo expands her empire by diversifying her business by educating young talents with her A Cut Above Academy. She established Re:Style studios and the X-Cut chain as authentic training grounds for her apprentices to nurture their talents.

Loo is also a celebrity in Malaysia, she stays active in the contemporary scene through billboard ads and luminary fashion weeks. She also gained recognition and earned premier appointments from top organizations such as Malaysian Hair Association, Asia Hairdesigners Association and Pantene Hair Asia Pacific.

Big brands such as-Braun, Vidal Sassoon, Procter & Gamble, Schwarzkopf and Max Factor are keen to have Loo endorse their brands.

Loo is the favourite official hair partner for X Top Model Search, Miss Malaysia World, Miss Universe Malaysia, STYLO International Fashion Party and many more!

Loo eventually began speaking professionally about entrepreneurship and even taught motivational seminars. Loo furthered her work by to share her years of experience in Etiquette and Personal Branding in collaboration with –Steve Wee, a Personal Branding Guru by founding the School of Charisma. The School of Charisma is a school that focuses on soft skills that helps them gain the competitive edge for their respective industries.

Publications
Loo penned her autobiography – “A Cut Above, Built on Hard Work, True Grit & A Pair of Scissors”, This publication contains the 30 year journey from her humble beginnings to revolutionizing the Malaysian hair dressing industry.

Loo also further published The Hair Book to spark new hair trends and styles.

Loo blogs on the latest hair designs and hair care tips on the official A Cut Above’s blog.

Loo contributes to a column for SME Magazine.

She is also an avid social media user of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

Awards & Recognition
Loo has been acknowledged her entrepreneurship contributions to both local and global hair styling. Below is list of awards she has gained.

1997 World Master of the Craft The Art & Fashion Group International, New York

2003 Best Hairstylist of Malaysia Malaysia International Fashion Alliance (MIFA)

2007 Outstanding Achievement – Hair Designer Malaysia International Hairdressing Awards (MIHA)

Lifetime Contribution Award Asia Hairdesigners Association (AHA)

2008 STYLO Industry Award Mercedes-Benz STYLO Fashion Awards

Best Overall Award MCA Chinese Women Entrepreneur Award

Best Brand in Hair Salons & Services The BrandLaureate SMEs Chapter Awards 2007

Best Hair Spa Malaysia Spa & Wellness Awards 2008

Best Centre for Hairdressing 2007 City & Guilds, London

2009 Best Brand in Hair Salons & Services The BrandLaureate SMEs Chapter Awards 2008

2010 Master of Her Craft Malaysia Tatler

Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 Ernst & Young

2011 Best Brand in Brand Culture The BrandLaureate SMEs Chapter Awards 2010

2012 SMEs Brand Personality Awards 2011 The BrandLaureate SMEs Chapter Awards 2011

Best Brand in Services – Hair Salon The BrandLaureate SMEs Chapter Awards 2011

Best Brand in Hair Education The BrandLaureate SMEs Chapter Awards 2011

iGlow Award 1Malaysia iAward

2013 Most Innovative Women Entrepreneur WIL Forum (Women In Leadership Asia)

Hair Artistry The BrandLaureate SMEs Signature Award in Services 2012

Prestigious Company Award HWT Group

CHT Pursuit of Excellence Philanthropist Award 2013 CHT Network

Most Successful Women 2013 Jessica Magazine (Malaysia)

The Benevolence Award Golden Phoenix Award 2013

The Great Entrepreneur Brand Icon Leadership Award 2013 The Brand Laureate

Charity Work
Loo contributes to charitable activities and humanitarian works. She sings for Glitterama – an all-girl choir group raises funds for the sick and needy. She is also involved with several charity galas of numerous organizations.

2000 Charity gala - An Evening of Glamour in aid of Rumah Hope, a home for the neglected, abused & abandoned children. Raised RM280,000

2003 Charity project - Portrait of Hope I for the Rumah Hope and raised RM104,000

2006 The launch of a glamorous coffee table book “Portrait of Hope 2” for the abused children of Rumah Hope and raised RM240,000 Timeless Elegance for Tunku Azizah Fertility Foundation and raised RM240,000

2008 Raised RM450,000 in Portrait of Hope III project in aid of Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah

2011 RM64,000 was raised for Kechara Soup Kitchen & National Kidney Foundation, Malaysia through Timeless Elegance 2 charity high tea

2012 Raised RM372,000 through Musical Evening for the Children charity gala dinner in aid of Malaysian Children’s Aid Society

2013 Raised RM300,000 through The Moon Speaks For My Heart musical show in aid of INTAZ (Institut Tengku Ampuan Afzan)