“Oh my god, this is actually real life and this is actually happening to me.”

That was Josephine Muscat’s reaction to being named one of the recipients of the Innovation in Technology Award, recognising the way she embraced Phorest’s software throughout her beauty therapy studies. 

At the end of 2025, in Melbourne, Australia, two Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy graduates were closing one chapter of their lives. Josephine, and fellow graduate Amber Walker were unaware that the next would take them halfway around the world. Their months of hard work were being honoured with an unforgettable opportunity to travel to the Phorest Summit in Dublin, Ireland. 

For Amber and Josephine, this was a first step into a much bigger world. They had never traveled this far from home before, and for Josephine, it would be her first time overseas. What began as an award celebrating their achievements quickly became a transformative experience.

Where it all began: building the foundations for future leaders in beauty

For more than 70 years, Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy College has been helping shape the future of Australia’s beauty and wellness industry. Established in 1954, the Melbourne-based college has built a reputation for delivering internationally recognised education across beauty, spa, and dermal therapies. It is known for producing graduates who go on to build careers in some of the world’s most respected wellness destinations. 

What makes the Elly Lukas experience unique is its commitment to preparing students for a truly global industry. As one of the few colleges worldwide, and the only college in Australia registered to offer three internationally recognised beauty and spa therapy qualifications (CIDESCO, ITEC & CIBTAC), students graduate with more than technical skills. They leave with confidence and the foundations to pursue opportunities wherever their careers may take them. 

According to Alex Zotos, Principal at Elly Lukas College, the institution is “training the next generation of leaders of beauty therapists, spa therapists, and clinic managers.”

An easy partnership with Phorest

Where phorest.livees into the picture, the partnership with Elly Lukas feels like it was meant to be. 

As part of the Beauty Business Dual Diploma, students at Elly Lukas take part in ‘Clinic Saturdays’. These are hands-on learning experiences where they secure bookings and carry out treatments as they would working in a real clinic. To make this possible, the college needed a software platform that could support the full student clinic experience, from managing appointments and tracking treatments to helping students understand their own performance.

After exploring many software options, nothing quite met the needs of the program like Phorest. The system offered the functionality required. But more importantly, it aligned with the college’s vision for preparing students for a modern, technology driven industry. 

As Alex Zotos explained: “We couldn’t find one company that could meet all of the requirements. Phorest not only had met the requirements of what we needed for our clinic operation, but the bonus is we’ve discovered such an incredible team.”

Recognising the next generation of innovators

From this collaboration, a deeper partnership naturally evolved. Together, Phorest and Elly Lukas created the Innovation in Technology Award, designed to recognise students who embrace tech as part of their learning journey. The award celebrates those who take a hands-on approach to digital tools, reflecting the fact that the future of beauty and wellness will be led by professionals who stay curious and adaptable to evolving technology. 

But what exactly did Amber and Josephine win? 

Their prize was a trip to Dublin, Ireland, to attend the Phorest Summit 2026. A globally recognised event, the Summit brings together leaders and innovators across hair, skin, and beauty to build new connections and explore the ideas shaping the future of the industry. 

Over two days, 600 attendees are immersed in inspiring talks, useful business insights, and sneak peeks into the latest developments in software. All of this is set against the backdrop of genuine Irish hospitality with plenty of entertainment, from traditional music performances to Jukebox Jams that both Phorest clients and team members get involved in. 

For Amber and Josephine, the experience didn’t stop there. Along the way, they also had the opportunity to stop in Paris and Dubai, where they met with and learned from leading experts in beauty and skin, extending their incredible journey far beyond the Summit itself.

Two graduates, big dreams, and a world of possibilities 

Before the trip, and before the Phorest Summit, Amber Walker and Josephine Muscat were two young Australians with a shared passion for skin. Coming from small Australian towns, both chose Elly Lukas College as the place to turn that passion into a career. 

Amber always had an interest in beauty and wellness. She admired the way beauty therapists could make people feel good about themselves, not only through external treatments, but through the inner confidence they inspire. When she began her journey at Elly Lukas, she was determined to understand the science behind skin concerns and how different treatments could help patients feel their best. 

“I’ve always just been very interested in that type of career, being able to make people feel good, look good.”

For Josephine, the journey began from a personal place. Growing up in Corowa, in New South Wales, she experienced acne from the age of fourteen. She found herself searching for knowledge that could help her better understand her own skin. This quickly led to a genuine interest in beauty. Leaving home and moving to Melbourne was a big step, but it brought her closer to the career she dreamed of. 

“I wanted to learn as much as I could about it at such a young age… I wanted to learn everything there was.”

Through their dedication and curiosity Amber and Josephine demonstrated the qualities that make future leaders in their field. When they arrived in Dublin, they found themselves surrounded by professionals from all around the world that reflected everything they had been working towards. 

The experience only strengthened Josephine’s ambitions:

“I want to get through the dermal course and become a dermal clinician and maybe get a couple of years of experience in the workforce under either a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon and then I want to travel.” 

The Phorest Summit experience

For two graduates who had never been this far from home, arriving at the Phorest Summit was the moment their understanding of the beauty industry expanded far beyond Australia. They found themselves in a community of innovators and leaders who were all passionate about shaping the future of the industry. What they had previously only experienced through their studies suddenly became something much bigger. 

From the moment they arrived, Amber and Josephine noticed the energy of the Summit, a true sense of excitement and genuine connection between everyone attending. 

“We walked in at the conference yesterday and we were just like, ‘wow.’ Such a happy place to be in and it’s a very good environment and everyone just has so many good thoughts and contributions.”

Across two days, the Phorest Summit became a space for ideas to be shared and new perspectives to be discovered. Through inspiring speakers, conversations, and insights from leading professionals, Amber and Josephine gained a deeper understanding of what is possible within their own careers. 

One of the standout moments for both graduates was hearing from Caroline Hirons, founder of Skin Rocks and widely known as the ‘Queen of Skin’. Her keynote encouraged professionals to trust their expertise and confidently take up space within the industry. 

For Amber, watching Caroline speak was a powerful reminder of the importance of self-belief when embarking on her own career journey:

“We just were so inspired by her. She was amazing to watch and listen to all her knowledge and just her confidence in her own knowledge and standing up for what’s in the industry.”

While the education was a highlight, it was the people who brought the Phorest Summit to life. From meeting professionals from around the world to hearing their perspectives, and forming friendships with the Phorest team, Amber and Josephine saw that hair, skin, and beauty is a global community. It was a reminder that some of the most valuable learning comes from conversations with peers and newfound connections. 

After a few unforgettable days, they left Dublin with more than just knowledge. They left with renewed confidence and even bigger ambitions for where their careers could take them. 

Josephine put the experience into words:

“If I could summarise the Summit in one word, I would probably say surreal just because, wow. So many people, so many inspiring leaders. So surreal.”

The sky’s the limit 

Back in Australia, Amber and Josephine had no intention of slowing down. After returning home both continued their studies at Elly Lukas, working through their Dermal Course and building on everything they had learned so far.

The experience changed the way Amber and Josephine saw their futures. What had once felt like a career beginning and rooted in Australia now felt like a launching pad into a global industry full of opportunity. 

For Amber, that future includes continuing to learn from leading skin experts and one day creating a space of her own.

“Working alongside dermatologists would definitely be the dream, being a dermal clinician and working on clients, making them feel good and maybe even one day opening our own salons. That would definitely be the dream for me.”

Just last year, Josephine had never held a passport. Now, after her first international trip, she’s already dreaming about where the industry could take her next. 

“I want to travel. I want to learn from everyone around the world.”

With a strong educational foundation, a growing network of connections, and a curiosity that continues to drive them forward, the Phorest Summit was only the beginning of Amber and Josephine’s journey. Their experience showed them that the beauty industry is far bigger than they had imagined, and that there are endless possibilities waiting for those willing to keep learning.

As Josephine put it:

“I think the sky’s the limit for me honestly.”