me Serei was introduced to esthetics in Paris where she took many specialized courses, including those of Dr. Peytoureau, father of modern esthetics, and Fernand Aubry, visagist. After completion of her studies, she established her own successful institute and laboratory in Paris.

In 1958, Édith Serei came to Montreal, where she established her first Beauty Institute. The esthetics profession was practically nonexistent at that time. In order to fill that void, Édith Serei opened the first School of Esthetics on the American continent in 1958, after having trained the first Canadian estheticians in her own institute.

She set up the first complete esthetics programme available in America and recreated the art of make-up application, thereby establishing with Mr. Fernand Aubry a new method based on Psycho-morphology, called Visagism®. Afterwards, Édith Serei upgraded it under the name of Psychofigurism®, which is taught at the Académie even today.

In 1961, Mme Serei opened a second school in Quebec, and then another one in Toronto in 1966. Finally, in 1992, Édith Serei opened a school in Budapest. Since it opened, l'Académie Internationale Édith Serei has trained 15,000 professionals who joined the workforce or opened their own business.

In 1962, Édith Serei formed The Canadian Esthetics Committee affiliated with Cidesco International, thus marking the official birth of the profession. In 1963, she organized the first Canadian Esthetics Congress, which gave rise to many others.

Édith Serei represented Canada on many occasions. She gave conferences and was president of assemblies and juries. She gave refresher courses in many European cities, notably Paris, London, Vienna, as well as in Israel and Hong Kong.

In 1961, Édith Serei began to make beauty available to mass audiences through her television series in French and English stations. She was brought to television due to her professional renown. It is due to her status as one of the highest authorities in the world of beauty that the public recognizes her.

Édith Serei considers that: "Every woman has the right, but also the duty, to enhance her own beauty potential". For nearly 20 years, she has made her philosophy known through her television shows diffused throughout the world.

Édith Serei's first book, "Femme qui êtes-vous?" published in 1965, was followed by " Soignez votre personnalité Messieurs ", "Leçon de Beauté", "Édith Serei's World of Beauty" and "Au-delà des apparences".

Édith Serei was selected to create the Beauty Institute at Expo 67. Tens of thousands of visitors went through this installation, as well as the numerous hostesses from other participating pavilions, who patronized it regularly for the skin care and make-up applications. Édith Serei was a member of the jury for the famous Miss Canada Pageant in Toronto, three years in a row. She was also a member of the Association of Women Journalists for 25 years and has written many articles.

Édith Serei has brought beauty to previously neglected areas. Her visits to hospitals, to the elderly and handicapped, as well as her work in cooperation with psychiatric services, have won her considerable commendation. She has also given lessons in deportment to the visually and hearing impaired.

In recognition for all her activities in the world of education, fashion and beauty, Édith Serei was awarded the title of "Knight of the Order of Merit" and received a medal of the City of Paris in 1974. The educational programme at the Académie continued to expand to include courses such as electrolysis and body care, and in 1994, massage therapy. Her schools draw students from all over North America, as well as from overseas. With an Édith Serei diploma in hand, these graduates are well prepared for careers in the fields of beauty and body work.

In 1992, during the celebrations for the 350th anniversary of Montreal, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Quebec presented the picture of Mme Serei with the description of her contributions at the exhibition for "Those Women who Built Montreal".

She actively participated in cultural and professional events as a guest of honour or as a speaker. She met all the students at the Académie. In order to maintain a high level of education, Madame Serei concentrated her efforts on her one and only school in Montreal until the last moments of a fulfilled life. She passed away October 24th 2005.