On February 10, 2026, the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School was honored to host one of its most distinguished former students, world-renowned hairdresser and businessman, Garo Hatsbanian.

Mr. Hatsbanian had a warm and fruitful meeting with the Principal, Mr. Gregoire Kaloust, reminiscing about his formative years at Mesrobian in the 1950s. He shared memories of his student years in Bourj Hammoud’s Cilicia neighborhood, which were mixed with joy and the many difficulties of those times. Although financial difficulties forced him to interrupt his regular studies, Mr. Hatsbanian, thanks to his tireless hard work, perseverance and dedication, was able to pave the way toward excellence and widespread international recognition in the field of hairdressing.

After perfecting his skills in the luxurious salons of Beirut in the 1960s, the young Garo moved to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) in 1968, where he reached incredible heights. He became the personal hairdresser of the country's president and one of the key figures in cultural life. His contribution was recently honored in an unprecedented way when one of the central streets of Abidjan was named after him.

Mr. Hatsbanian's success spread to Paris, where he had his own salons and his own production of cosmetics. His path is crowned with an impressive series of numerous international awards.

The Principal, Mr. Gregoire Kaloust expressed his gratitude for this visit, noting that Garo’s life story is a powerful testament to what can be accomplished through talent, discipline and a deep love for the profession. His journey, from Bourj Hammoud’s humble neighborhoods to the international stages of Abidjan and Paris, is a lasting source of inspiration for the new generation of Mesrobian’s students.

We express our gratitude to Mr. Garo Hatsbanian for returning to his Mesrobian home and for brilliantly representing our school and community to the four corners of the world.

Note: You can learn more about Garo Hatsbanian's biography in the following article: Garo Hasbanian.