Nikos Amarantos, Hair Education and Beauty

The Nikos Amarantos hairdressing school (Σχολή Κομμωτικής Νίκος Αμάραντος) is a private hairdressing school in central Athens, Greece. It was founded in November 1960 by the hairdresser Nikos Amarantos and his wife Anastasia Amarantou, building on a family hair salon that had operated since 1920. Since 1970 the school has been based in its own buildings at Akadimias 78, close to the Panepistimio and Omonia metro stations. It is now run by the third generation of the family. The school states that it was the first recognised hairdressing school in Greece and that more than 40,000 students have graduated from it.

Its private vocational school (SAEK, known as IEK until 2024) awards a state-recognised diploma, combining theory with intensive practical training. The current offer includes:

• SAEK diploma as a hairdressing technician (Τεχνικός Κομμωτικής Τέχνης)
• Professional programmes in barbering, haircutting, salon colouring and hairstyling
• Specialised seminars and individual lessons
• Lifelong learning courses for hairdressing and beauty professions

Historically, the school was the first in Greece to run international seminars for its graduates, with organised visits to France, England and Italy.