International Gilda Beauty School/Gilda Skolan

What International Gilda Beauty School/Gilda Skolan does

International Gilda Beauty School (Gilda Skolan) is a Swedish private vocational education operator founded in 1993 in Göteborg by Gilda Liljeblad Koornstra. The company delivers a single integrated product — the Hud- och spaterapeututbildning (Skin and Spa Therapist Education) — combining theoretical instruction with 700–1,400 hours of practical training in a student clinic, depending on the chosen track. Gilda is one of only five CIDESCO-approved schools in Sweden and one of three operating across Stockholm, Göteborg, and Malmö, with SHR (Sweden's national skin therapists' organization) approval enabling graduates to earn the protected Auktoriserad hudterapeut title. Alumni credentials include CIDESCO international diploma, Spa diploma, Gilda Liljeblad diploma, and eligibility for the Swedish Gesällbrev journeyman certificate.

The business operates three physical campuses in Stockholm (Riddargatan 1), Göteborg (Kungsportsavenyn 20), and Malmö (Gustav Adolfs Torg 41), serving class sizes of approximately 18 students (max 20) per term per city. Students choose between a paid 2-term option at 95,000 SEK (with optional interest-free financing via Human Finans) or a free 3-term option requiring a 25,000 SEK refundable deposit and extended student-salon practicum. Ancillary revenue is generated through the Gilda Liljeblad proprietary skincare line (Calming, Activating AHA, Energising Vitamin C serums) sold via gildasalong.se, and through student-clinic services. CIDESCO and SHR certifications are bundled into tuition fees without additional charge, alongside teaching kits, school bags, and work clothing valued at approximately 14,000 SEK.

The school is family-owned under Gilda Group AB (org. nr 559107-6392), with four wholly-owned subsidiaries corresponding to each campus and a wholesale entity. In 2024, ownership and leadership transitioned from founder Gilda Liljeblad Koornstra to her sons Ludwig Liljeblad (economics/finance) and Benjamin Liljeblad (skincare therapy, product development, education). Distribution is domestic (Sweden only) through direct-to-consumer application via gildaskolan.se and the yh-antagning.se portal, supplemented by Instagram marketing, webinars, and in-person school visits. Reported outcomes include a 9-out-of-10 graduate employment rate within three months of completion, with multiple alumni holding Swedish, European, and World Skincare Championship titles.

Name

International Gilda Beauty School/Gilda Skolan

Legal name

Gilda Group AB

Website

https://gildaskolan.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

International Gilda Beauty School (Gilda Skolan) is a family-owned Swedish vocational education operator founded in 1993, delivering CIDESCO- and SHR-certified skin and spa therapist training across three campuses in Stockholm, Göteborg, and Malmö for aspiring professional skincare practitioners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Beauty & Skincare Education

NAICS

Cosmetology and Barber Schools (611511), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Esthetics / Skincare (EDAOALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Esthetics & Skincare Training Programs (HSALANAB), Massage Therapy & Bodywork (EDAOALAH), Spa & Body Treatment Training (Body Wraps/Scrubs/Hydrotherapy) (HSALANAI)

Keywords

• Professional skincare education
• Skin therapist training
• Spa therapy certification
• CIDESCO accredited school
• Beauty vocational education

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - 2-Term Option: 95,000 SEK total tuition fee paid in two installments: 5,000 SEK registration fee and 90,000 SEK course fee. Allows students to complete in approximately 1 year and enter workforce faster.
2. Tuition Fees - 3-Term Option (Cost-Free): Free tuition financed through extra practicum term in student salon. Requires 25,000 SEK deposit (5,000 SEK at admission + 20,000 SEK before start) refunded upon completion. Total program 1.5 years.
3. Student Salon Services: Revenue from treatments performed by students in the school's own salon during practicum periods, with oversight from certified instructors.
4. Skincare Products (Gilda Liljeblad): Sale of proprietary skincare products including serums (Calming, Activating AHA, Energising Vitamin C) and treatments under the Gilda Liljeblad brand through gildasalong.se.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Vocational education program training students to become certified skin and spa therapists, combining classroom theory with extensive hands-on practice in the school's own student clinic. The program bundles nationally (SHR) and internationally (CIDESCO) recognized certifications and is offered at three campus locations across Sweden. Students may enroll in a 2-term paid track (95,000 SEK) or a 3-term cost-free track secured by a refundable deposit, with revenue supplemented by student salon services and proprietary skincare product sales.

Product overview

Gilda Skolan offers a single integrated educational product: the Hud- och spaterapeututbildning (Skin and Spa Therapist Education), a comprehensive professional training program. This unified offering combines theoretical instruction with extensive practical training through the school's own student clinic, preparing graduates for immediate employment in the beauty industry. The program includes bundled certifications: SHR-examen (national skin therapist certification), CIDESCO-examen (international diploma), Spa-diplom (spa therapy certification), and Gilda Liljeblad diploma. Students choose between two program options: a 2-term accelerated track (95,000 SEK) or a 3-term free track with additional practice salon training. The education is delivered at three campus locations in Stockholm, Göteborg, and Malmö.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hud- och spaterapeututbildning (Skin and Spa Therapist Education) Comprehensive vocational education program training individuals to become certified skin and spa therapists. The program bundles theoretical instruction (anatomy, physiology, dermatology, chemistry, cosmetic chemistry) with extensive practical training in the school's own student clinic, and includes SHR (Swedish national), CIDESCO (international), Spa Therapist, and Gilda Liljeblad diplomas. Available in a 2-term paid track (95,000 SEK, ~1 year) or a 3-term cost-free track (~1.5 years, refundable 25,000 SEK deposit), with enrollment open at three campus locations (Stockholm, Göteborg, Malmö). For aspiring adult career-changers and beginners targeting employment in salons, spas, skincare clinics, cruise ships, hotels, or independent practice.
• Gilda Salong Student Clinic Treatments Treatments performed by students under instructor supervision in the school's own customer salon (Gildasalong.se), providing real-customer practical training as part of the curriculum and generating service-fee revenue. Available to consumers across the three campus cities.
• Gilda Liljeblad Skincare Products Proprietary skincare line developed by the school including Calming Serum, Activating AHA Serum, and Energising Vitamin C Serum, plus additional treatments under the Gilda Liljeblad brand. Sold directly to consumers through gildasalong.se and on-campus salons.

Quantifiable outcome

• 9 out of 10 graduates employed within 3 months of graduation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Skansen Spa BåstadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpa facility that recruits graduates from Gilda Skolan for employment opportunities.
• Ystad Saltsjöbad SpaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium spa that employs Gilda Skolan's CIDESCO-diploma graduates for their skilled training and international certification.
• St Jörgen SpaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpa facility that recruits graduates from Gilda Skolan.
• EriksbergsklinikenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical clinic offering aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery plus modern skincare. Hosts Gilda Skolan students for study visits. VD Karin Oja Julander states graduates have high knowledge level.
• Thomas Cook / VingresorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor travel company with spa operations. Recruits Gilda Skolan graduates for international cruise ship spa positions. Values SHR and CIDESCO certifications for global employment.
• Six Senses Resorts & SpasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational luxury spa chain that recruits internationally certified therapists from Gilda Skolan.
• Steiner TransoceanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational cruise line spa operator that recruits Gilda Skolan graduates for shipboard positions.
• Viking CruisesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium cruise line with spa facilities that recruits trained skin and spa therapists from Gilda Skolan.
• Liv NordicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic wellness company that recruits graduates from Gilda Skolan.
• Esplendido Hotel, MallorcaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuxury hotel spa in Mallorca that recruits internationally certified therapists from Gilda Skolan.
• Portixol Hotel, MallorcaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoutique hotel spa in Mallorca recruiting Gilda Skolan graduates.
• Valluga Hotel, AustriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlpine hotel spa in Austria recruiting certified therapists from Gilda Skolan.
• CIDESCO (Comité International d'Esthétique et de Cosmétologie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational beauty and spa therapy organization founded in 1946 in Brussels, headquartered in Zurich. Gilda Skolan is one of only 5 CIDESCO-approved schools in Sweden and one of 3 with full programs. Provides global recognition enabling graduates to work worldwide.
• SHR (Sveriges Hudterapeuters Riksorganisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish professional organization for skin therapists. Gilda Skolan's education meets SHR requirements, enabling graduates to become Authorized Skin Therapists. SHR emblem 'Säker hudterapeut' provides quality guarantee for customers. SHR regularly audits school for compliance.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• SHR (Sveriges Hudterapeuters Riksorganisation): Swedish national professional association for skin therapists, certifies Gilda's curriculum and audits the school. Comparable as the domestic professional body whose approval is a core precondition for Gilda's graduate credentials and employer trust.
• CIDESCO International: Founded 1946 in Brussels and headquartered in Zurich, CIDESCO sets global standards for beauty and spa therapy education and certifies schools like Gilda. Directly comparable as the credentialing body whose accreditation underpins Gilda's international value proposition.
• OneSpaWorld (formerly Steiner Transocean): Global cruise ship and resort spa operator that recruits CIDESCO-certified therapists, including graduates from Gilda. Comparable as a major destination employer shaping demand for Gilda's certification and influencing curriculum relevance.
• Six Senses Resorts & Spas: International luxury hotel and spa brand (IHG) actively recruiting CIDESCO-certified therapists from Gilda. Comparable as a destination employer whose hiring demand reinforces the value of Gilda's international credential.

Broad incumbents

• Schwarzkopf Professional Academy: Henkel-owned global hair and beauty professional education network offering certified training to salon professionals. Comparable as a broad incumbent in beauty/skincare professional education, though broader in scope and not Sweden-focused.
• L'Oréal Professionnel Academy: Global beauty education arm of L'Oréal providing professional training to stylists, colorists, and skin therapists worldwide. Comparable as a large, well-funded incumbent in beauty professional education, serving similar career-track learners.
• Wella Professional Education: Coty-owned global professional beauty education brand delivering training for stylists and skin therapists. Comparable as an established, multi-region beauty education incumbent with similar target learner profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/gildaskolan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-gilda-beauty-school-gilda-skolan

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Gilda Beauty School/Gilda Skolan