Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1545722
2 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JULY 2026 CULTURE From Malta to the world stage in India, and now they're bringing it home Maltese barber Brendon Rice, the first from the island to headline the main stage at Professional Beauty India, returns to Malta with his mentor JJ Savani to train the next generation ON Tuesday 30 June, a young barber from Malta stood on one of the biggest grooming stages in the world. Brendon Rice be- came the first Maltese stylist ev- er to headline the main Platform Stage at Professional Beauty In- dia in Delhi — a platform usu- ally reserved for the industry's most established international names. Rice shared that stage with his mentor, international session styl- ist and barber educator JJ Savani — founder of the Global Stylist Blueprint and Global Grooming Director for Mrs India Worldwide — who has guided him from a chair in Malta to an international audience. Now the two are bringing that same world-class training back to Malta. For many local stylists, it is the first time education of this level has been available without leaving the island. On 19–20 July 2026, Savani and Rice host a two- day event at the AX Palace Hotel in Sliema, delivered in partnership with Michael Kontos of the Lon- don School of Barbering. For Rice, the event is a home- coming with a purpose: to show the next generation of Maltese stylists that they don't have to leave the island to reach the top of the industry. The two-day programme pairs advanced technical work with the positioning and personal- brand strategy that Savani teaches inter- nationally — the same approach he credits for taking Maltese tal- ent onto a global stage." "Malta has some of the most skilled barbers in Europe. What they've never been taught is how to position themselves so the world takes them seriously..." Appreciation: Alan Journo By Roger De Giorgio During the many years I have known Alan, I was always deeply struck by his positivity and joie de vivre. A bon vivant; a culi- nary enthusiast and a lover of all things beautiful. When in Gozo or Milan, Alan never stopped enjoying himself. He was known and appreciated by all, especially at Gleneagles, his favourite meeting place. He was vivacious, exuberant and zestful. A lover of parties, con- vivial, friendly and warm. I al- ways looked forward to being in his company. I was particularly struck by his generosity. Inviting friends regularly to his beautiful home in Tas-Sannat where he would personally prepare delicious pas- ta dishes for numerous Maltese and foreign guests. He would visit Gozo yearly for his summer holidays arriving on the eve of the Santa Margerita feast at Tas-Sannat. He would talk to festa goers, who inevitably recognised him in in his typical white attire with stylish heart- framed glasses and curly pony tail. Alan stood out at any event with his warm personality and interesting conversations. He cared for people. He was a people's man. On his visits to Gozo, an island he loved, Alan, a foodie, would talk about all the new restaurants and cafes that opened. He would have discov- ered them even before many of us regular visitors. He would guide his friends on which res- taurants served good food and were worth visiting in Gozo and of course in Mlian and Rome. Alan was also a music connois- seur. Well connected in the mu- sic and artistic world, he knew many renowned musicians per- sonally. He followed events in Malta and Gozo with a passion. Alan was no ordinary person. He was a great personality; a world citizen, really. To Michela, his wife, go my heartfelt condolences. I will miss him. Josianne and I, will miss the many enjoyable dinners we spent together in Gozo and Milan. Ciao Alan. Mi dispiace tanto. Riposa in pace. Alan Journo