beauty: insider

Nurturing new talent

Julie Christie, Vanilla


Vanessa Sequeiros-Santana, Servilles Newmarket


Tammy Ung, Klone Hair

L’Oréal Professionnel encourages young talent this year in New Zealand with its inaugural Talent Spotting contest

INSTEAD of the L’Oréal Professionnel Colour Trophy Award in New Zealand this year, the French hair products’ company has decided to nurture new talent, with its inaugural Talent Spotting contest. As part of the competition in 2007, five finalists are vying for New Zealand Young Stylist of the Year (entries pictured on this page), and another five teams have been named as finalists for New Zealand Young Team of the Year.

Five regional competitions were held during 2007 in Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington and New Plymouth. Finalists were chosen from their photographic entries and live re-creation sessions, and now will have to venture to Auckland for the supreme awards.

Jonny Engström, art director for UK-based, French-born hairstyling supremo Guy Krémer, has already spoken highly of the young talent in New Zealand.

‘I love that these awards help to recognize fresh talent and inspire young stylists to develop their skills,’ says Engström.

Engström joined Larissa Sulzberger of Blue Cactus (Wellington), Jacqui Victor of True Grit Hair Design and the Front Room (Christchurch), Carl Watkins of Mod’s Hair (Christchurch), Grant Bettjeman of Bettjemans (Auckland), Penny Ainsley of Ainsley’s (Auckland), Jennifer Morgan of Morgan & Morgan (Auckland), Jan Waite of Jan Waite Hairdressing (Auckland) and Paul Huège de Serville of Servilles (Auckland) on the judging panel.

L’Oréal Professionnel general manager Anya Haarhoff says, ‘This competition is about encouraging and celebrating the next generation of hair-stylists. It gives them a chance to show their peers and New Zealand what they are made of.’

The finals are to take place on June 23 at the Viaduct Harbour Alinghi Base.

Lucire will be there and will subsequently publish an interview with the winner of the Young Stylist award. •

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Natasha McKnight, Phixx


Jessie Sowman, Sutherland Todd Hairdressing