Having opened its brand-new Beauty School in Margate, UK, at the end of January 2023, Haeckels aims to provide inclusion for everyone in skincare and celebrate a diverse range of skin colors through the school's practices. Head of Learning at Haeckels Beauty School, Lottie Rowlatt, joined Haeckels in 2019 as a therapist, and her role helped to develop her love for fresh natural ingredients within beauty and well-being, as well as her passion for changing the educational system. This passion was supported through conversations with Haeckels Managing Director Charlie Vickery; together, they decided to develop an inclusive place that aligned with the brand codes. Rowlatt spoke to BeautyMatter about the importance of “transforming the beauty, skincare and wellness sectors from within to create spaces where people from diverse groups feel truly at home and that their specific needs are understood and treated effectively.” With curricula having been geared almost exclusively towards white skin over the decades, Haeckels Academy is hoping to be a force for change for inclusion in skin care through education by introducing teachings around different skin types and colors.

The Beauty School has a strong connection with the local Margate community, and sees the school as a reflection of this relationship. This relationship is reflected in how the Beauty School will initially be offering the curriculum as a complimentary experience to a select group of local young college and university students before the fully paid curriculum rolls out in March. The academy will offer students a selection of fully accredited courses including VTCT (Vocational and Technical Qualifications) Level 2 Facial Massage and Skincare, Level 3 Massage Therapy and Facial Electrotherapy, and a certificate in Facial Treatment for Skin of Color. Class sizes are set to be small, a maximum of six, prioritizing the best training for each individual, and the only prerequisite entry requirements for any of the courses is a good level of written and verbal English, democratizing access to these courses. “At the moment we have four incredible courses for students to take part in, we hope in the future the space continues to grow and challenge standards around beauty education,” Rowlatt comments. The Haeckels Beauty School is a positive push towards progress within beauty curriculums to include more inclusive teachings.