The much-anticipated CMC CAT – First Asian Global Cup is set to take place from November 24-29 2024 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Under the visionary leadership of CMCCAT INDIA President Vikram J Pania, India will be participating in this landmark event. On this momentous occasion for India, BBD’s Alisha B. engaged in a conversation with Pania to delve into the details of CMC CAT and discuss India’s future initiatives in this regard.
Alisha B Could you explain what CMC CAT does in India and how it connects to the global CMC?
VJP: CMC stands for the World Confederation of Coiffure and Aesthetics. It’s an organization
representing professional hair and beauty experts worldwide. Established in 1937 with headquarters in Italy, it currently has over 50 member countries, including Canada, the U.S., several South
American nations, and parts of North Africa. European countries make up the majority, but we also have Balkan nations like Turkey, the GCC countries such as the UAE, and much of the Arab world.
There are also members in Asia, like South Korea and Japan, and India joined in 2022. The core idea is to unite hair and beauty professionals globally for events like the World Cup, where they participate in championships and educational activities.
India competes for the First Asian Global Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Alisha B How does CMC CAT India contribute to advancing hairstyling and aesthetics in India?
VJP: India has a population of 1.4 billion, and by my estimation, we have around 10 million hair and beauty professionals. That includes approximately 4 million hairdressers, 3 million beauticians, 2.5 million makeup artists, and around half a million nail artists. Despite these numbers, we have no world champions in this field. That’s a significant challenge and one of the reasons CMC CAT India joined this organization—to put Indian hair and beauty professionals on the global map. With such a large community, having zero world champions is surprising and, frankly, unacceptable.
Alisha B So, are you aiming to make India a world champion?
VJP: It’s more than that. CMC CAT India is heavily involved in education because I believe India’s hairdressing culture isn’t something that just started recently with international brands entering the market. Our tradition in hair and beauty goes back nearly 5,000 years. For example, at the National Museum in Delhi, there’s the statue of the ‘Dancing Girl’ from ancient times, which has a clear hairstyle. Another artifact, called the ‘Priest,’ shows a trimmed beard and neatly combed hair, proving that grooming tools existed here even back then. The Khajuraho temples also showcase intricate hairstyling and makeup, highlighting our rich heritage. But somewhere along the line, we lost that legacy. I want to revive that strength in India’s hairdressing and beauty industry.
Alisha B What exactly inspired you to bring the CMC CAT initiative to India?
VJP: In India, when it comes to hairdressing, makeup, or nails—even beyond Ayurveda—most of our practices have been adapted from the West. We have incredible talent in the hair and beauty industry, with many professionals being hailed as “creative directors.” But if you think about it, can you name one hairstyle or haircut created in India that the rest of the world has adopted?
Alisha B It’s hard to think of any.
VJP: Exactly—there’s none. Everyone’s a creative director or an international artist, but we don’t see our top names creating a big impact on an international level. We see them at expos, exhibitions, and on social media, with large followings, but who’s inviting them to teach globally? CMC CAT World offers a platform for Indian hair and beauty professionals to showcase their talent on an international stage alongside top countries, to prove that we belong to this industry. As someone deeply involved in hair and beauty, I felt driven to contribute to this field.
Think about it—just as cricket has the World Cup, and films have Cannes and the Oscars, we have CMC CAT. Why can’t we become world champions in beauty? Through this platform, Indian professionals have a chance to represent the country and bring something new to the global stage.
Alisha B That’s very inspiring! What role do competitions play in shaping the future of hairstyling and aesthetics?
VJP: I believe everyone is a born competitor. Even before we’re born, there’s competition. It starts with the race between sperm to reach the egg. Then, after birth, we compete with siblings, friends, at school, and later in the workplace. But, honestly, in India, we often lack a true championship spirit. We don’t always compete with the drive to innovate or create; we’re just “getting by.”
Look at the Olympics. We’re a country of 1.4 billion people, but our medal count remains low. We want fame and success but don’t always want to work for it in a structured way. I felt a responsibility to change that mindset within my industry.
Through CMC CAT, I have an opportunity to represent India in hair and beauty internationally. I can’t patrol borders like a soldier, but I can raise India’s profile on this global platform. I can help create a training syllabus that meets international standards so that Indian professionals can work anywhere in the world. This industry has its own challenges. For instance, we have world-renowned IITs, yet we haven’t developed a professional-grade hairdryer or scissor. That gap represents both a challenge and an opportunity, and it motivates me to push forward.
CMC in Russia. Image courtesy: C.M.C World
Alisha B What skills or qualities do you believe are essential to succeed in these international competitions?
VJP: First and foremost, a strong intention to achieve something meaningful is essential. Many hairdressers and beauty artists in India follow a traditional, horizontal learning path—they often rely on teachings from their mentors or gurus, observe colleagues, or learn from product companies. They rarely step outside the box to pursue new knowledge or engage in research and development. For many, it’s just a job that brings in a salary or commission. This mindset represents one of the biggest challenges in the industry.
Alisha B Absolutely. How do these competitions foster creativity and innovation in the beauty industry?
VJP: Think of it like Formula One racing. In F1, the best car manufacturers and drivers compete, and there’s an intense focus on engineering and innovation. Each year, new challenges push teams to improve car designs, develop advanced technology, and refine racing strategies. Once successful in the race, many of these innovations eventually become commercialized in the broader auto industry. F1 drives innovation.
Similarly, CMC provides a platform where beauty professionals can go beyond everyday salon work and experiment with new techniques, colors, and styles. Competitions offer the space to research, develop, and test ideas in a structured format. Like the glamour of F1, winning at CMC gives a beauty professional significant prestige. A championship title can elevate a professional’s portfolio, raise their rates, attract more students, boost salon performance, and strengthen their negotiation power. Out of over 10 million beauty professionals in India, a champion will stand out as a leader in the industry.
Currently, India doesn’t have many world champions in beauty. But there are notable pioneers like Seema Jerajani, a true champion who embodies persistence and determination. Her unwavering spirit is inspiring, yet she’s one of very few in India. With the right support and a strong team, we could see more Indian professionals rise to world champion status.
Alisha B What challenges did you face while building CMC CAT in India, and how did you overcome them?
VJP: Challenges are always there, and I believe they should be—they help us grow. When I started CMC CAT in India in 2022, there were many rejections. People questioned my role as president of CMC CAT India because I’m not a technical expert—I’m not a hairdresser, makeup artist, beauty technician, or nail technician. Some didn’t even know CMC CAT existed, let alone the impact it has on the international stage. The initial and ongoing challenge was to build awareness about CMC CAT India.
Another challenge is what I call the “herd mentality.” Often, people won’t show interest until they see others participating. That mindset has been a constant hurdle and likely will be for years to come. But I enjoy the challenge. I’ve never been one for repetitive work—I’m driven by new challenges and by the idea of doing something different. I love challenges and I’ll keep pushing until we have world champions and India leads the global beauty industry).
Alisha B What are your long-term goals for CMC CAT India?
VJP: The vision for CMC CAT India is for the country to become the global hub of beauty. If someone wants to innovate, they should think of India. For research and development, they should come to India. For production and manpower, India should be the destination. When it comes to hosting the world’s biggest beauty expo, that should happen in India. Essentially, Make in India, Made in India— India should be the leader and the face of the global beauty industry. When the world thinks of hair and beauty, they should look to India first. That’s the future I envision.
Vikram J Pania, President of CMC CAT India
Follow CMC CAT India’s journey: https://www.instagram.com/cmccatindia/?hl=en
To Join Team India in Kazakhstan, Contact CMC CAT India on 9619992055
