UK Students of the Year 2011 named at Salon International
The Hairdressing Council's UK Student of the Year Awards run in association with L'Oréal Professionnel and VTCT, reached their finale at Salon International 2011. After gruelling regional heats across the UK, the eight NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 finalists met in the early hours to contest the final at the L'Oréal Academy in Hammersmith.
After the practical which saw the Level 2's putting hair up in a red carpet look and the Level 3's producing an innovative cut and blow-dry, each finalist had to sit through an interview where they were questioned about themselves, their chosen hairstyle and their mood board.
The judges included industry icon Andrew Barton, Yesmin O'Brien from Sean Hanna and Jayne Schauenburg from the Hairdressing Council. They were all astounded at the quality and standard of the finalists - congratulations to them all for reaching the final. The interview panel included Hairdressing Council's Chairman Arthur Ehoff, Fran Cox from L'Oréal and Lynda Whitehorn from VTCT.
Back at Salon International on the HJ stage, each model had the chance to show their hair creation on stage whilst Steven Goldsworthy and Yesmin O'Brien spoke to the finalists. The stage was full of nervous, excited competitors when finally; the winner's names were read out.
Congratulations to George Payne who won the NVQ Level 2 contest. George is just 18 years old and comes from Solihull in the West Midlands. He trained at Heart of England Training and Simon Paul Hair & Beauty Salon where he currently works.
"It was unbelievable when I found out I was the Hairdressing Council UK Student Hairdresser of the Year 2011. The whole experience of the event just felt surreal. Being in the L'Oréal Academy was extraordinary, then the judging began and the nerves kicked in. When we got to Salon International it felt incredible that everyone wanted to take photos of the look I had created. The most nerve-racking part of it all was when we went on stage and the awards were being announced. It felt like it was all in slow motion. I had never had a feeling like it when my name was read out with everyone cheering and the cameras flashing everywhere. It felt like all the hard work that Cloe and I had put into creating the hairstyle was so worth it! Doing the competition has given me a massive boost in confidence and makes me want to take part in more events like it. I am really looking forward to next year with all that is in store for me".
Congratulations to Emma Billington who won the NVQ Level 3 contest. Emma is 26 and from Lydbrook in Gloucestershire. She trained at Cutting Edge Hair & Beauty in Cinderford.
"From the minute I arrived at the academy it was a roller coaster of emotions!! I wanted this so much and it meant so much to do well I was teary all day! I went with the attitude of being myself and speaking truth about my life before hairdressing and I think it paid off! When I won it felt like all of my tears and hard work had been worth it...I wanted to give something back to my bosses and trainers and this was the perfect start to our new business and the perfect end to leaving my training salon".