He has styled the hair of Miss World and Miss Universe and worked in Europe and North and Central America.

Now Roberto Ferraro has come to Bermuda and joined the team at Kafu Hair and Beauty Salon in Hamilton.

The reputation of the salon in Parliament Street is built on the quality and calibre of the people it hires, says artistic director Glen Wilks, hence the new appointment.

Mr. Ferraro, 47, has worked in Rome, New York, Miami and various parts of Central America.

Early on in his career he got the opportunity to style the hair of some of the world's most beautiful women, working as the official hairdresser for the Miss World and Miss Universe beauty pageants for three years where he was the only man given access to the beauties when they were preparing themselves for shows and photocalls.

Apart from working in North America and his native Italy, Mr. Ferraro also ran his own chain of salons in Central America, but the increasing danger of living in places like Guatemala and Honduras, coupled with the low levels of revenue attainable led him to seek other opportunities.

A qualified master diving instructor with a love of diving, when the chance to work in a place like Bermuda came up and he took it."I needed a change and I love Bermuda. I think I am working in one of the best salons. One of the reasons I came here is because I am always learning. I've worked at the top of a salon (as the boss) and now I'm working for others and that means I can keep learning from others," he said.

When he started out in Italy his boss did not allow him to do a customer's hair for two years.

"You had to work up to that level. I've had 30 years in the business now and I'm still learning. Every person's hair is different."

As for hairstyle fashions, Mr. Ferraro believes they do not exist. The hairstyles featured in glossy magazines are often created by using technical tricks that are impractical for anything other than a photo shoot.

He added: "My philosophy is that every woman is beautiful and we have to bring that beauty out in them. If they look good then we look good too."

Kafu Hair and Beauty was set up seven years ago and has evolved to offer everything from haircutting, styling and care, to massage and skin treatment and beauty facials. Its latest addition is a dedicated nail care area that has relaxing chairs and a large flat screen TV playing music features at a tranquil volume.

Kafu is a mixture of hair and beauty salon and art gallery. There are pieces of art on display by local talent and some by Mr. Wilks, who explained: "It has always been a salon and a gallery that offers a sensory atmosphere — multi-sensory. I'm an artist so it was a natural progression to show contemporary art."

But at the heart of Kafu's success, says Mr. Wilks, is its people and the quality of their expertise. Hence the arrival for Mr. Ferraro.

"The key component is making sure the team is the best. It is about giving people a quality experience — the Kafu experience," said Mr. Wilks.

Kafu Hair and Beauty is situated on Parliament Street between Victoria Street and Dundonald Street.