Italian Ambassador H.E. Marcello Apicella and Elena Cristiano Cut the Ribbon at the 32nd Italian Festival of Beauty and Hairstyling in Plovdiv
The 32nd edition of the Italian Festival of Beauty and Hairstyling was officially opened with a ceremony in Hall 2 of the International Fair Plovdiv. The event is one of the most significant gatherings for Bulgaria’s professional beauty community. The ribbon was cut by H.E. Marcello Apicella, Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Bulgaria, Elena Cristiano, owner of the cosmetics company Christian of Roma, and Davide Cristiano, marking the symbolic start of the three-day programme dedicated to hairstyling, colour techniques, innovation and international professional exchange. The opening ceremony began with a strong fashion statement – a Rocco Barocco designer dress presented by Miss Bulgaria Simona Bakardzhieva. From the very first moments, the ceremony highlighted the close connection between high fashion and the art of hairstyling. Among the official guests were also Dimitar Zgurov, Deputy Regional Governor of Plovdiv Region, Nikolay Dushkov, Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv Municipality, and Prof. Dr Ivan Sokolov, Chief Executive Officer of International Fair Plovdiv. Following the official opening, the stage was taken over by the Fantasy Hair Show of Natalia Muratova, a world champion in hairstyling, who impressed the audience with artistic transformations, bold shapes and exceptional precision in line and detail. Organised by Christian of Roma, the festival brings together beauty professionals from across Bulgaria, along with international guests from the hairstyling industry. The first-day programme also featured live demonstrations at the company’s stand, presentations of new products and technologies, and the “Make It Real” Masterclass by Rudy Mostarda. “For me, these more than 30 years have been a true source of inspiration. When you believe in yourself and in what you do, you prove that nothing is impossible,” said Elena Cristiano, owner of Christian of Roma and the driving force behind the festival. “The festival is not simply a showcase for new products. It is a platform that helps professionals become better, more prepared and more competitive,” she added. According to Cristiano, the event continues to provide Bulgarian hairstylists with an opportunity to connect with global trends, emerging technologies and some of the leading names in the industry.
