Emily Short, Stylist at Belper and the University salon, has been busy assisting backstage at Graduate Fashion Week as part of the young L’Oreal Portfolio Session Team. The four-day event saw 23 BA shows and contributions from 40 UK universities, with nearly 30,000 visitors coming through the doors, making it the largest graduate fashion week in the world.
Headed up by Andrea Daley and Lisa Rhead from Barbara Daley, this year’s hair ranged from minimalist ponytails to intricate woven designs embellished with copper leaf and amazing headpieces. No two universities had the same hair, quite a feat when you think that there were 25 shows and 40 colleges involved.
This was a huge opportunity for Emily to work in a busy backstage environment and she took away a variety of skills and techniques to bring back to the salon.
Says Emily “One of the biggest highlights from the event was watching my first look walk down the catwalk, this was the east catwalk at the Liverpool and North Brook show. Myself and the team created a look inspired by Marc Jacobs, where we pulled all the hair forward onto the front on the hairline to create a sleek and smooth feel and then finished it with a lose knot of the front, keeping in the volume and the texture.”
“At every catwalk show there were photographers everywhere looking for the newest talent, best creations and also the biggest fails that they can catch on camera, therefore it is vital to be precise when working on the hair. The slightest lack of attention to detail could be caught on camera and ruin the overall look.”
“There are a lot of different elements to consider when working backstage . Not only do you have think about making the hair perfect, but also the hair must suit and compliment the outfits. The outfit could be fantastic, the hair could be spectacular but if they don’t compliment each other then it could become a disaster.
“As a team we created a strong braided style that worked perfectly with the outfits the University fashion students had created.”
Graduate Fashion Week finished with a gala catwalk show, crowning the recipient of this year’s gold award. Hannah Wallace, from Manchester School of Art, was named the winner for her edgy but wearable ski-influenced collection, scooping £10,000.
Imogen Godwin, Master Stylist at Ashbourne, has been celebrating after winning a sought after place on the prestigious L’Oreal Professionnel ID Artist team.
The team is a highly sought-after educational opportunity for talented, inspired hairdressers with an eye for fashion and unique creative expression. Lizzie Fox, Deesh Dhindsa, Alice Cronin and Laura Robertson have been or are currently part of the ID Artist programme.
Led by some of the hairdressing industry’s biggest names, students are coached in the latest catwalk looks, cut and colour techniques alongside L’Oreal Professionnel’s seasonal trends over the course of the two year initiative – equipping them with the perfect tools to take back to the salon and clients.
National auditions were held in the UK and Ireland last week where Imogen had to present a mood board of inspirational catwalk looks and trends, before presenting her stunning model and talking through her inspirations with the esteemed judging panel. From hundreds of entrants only a maximum of three stylists from each region go through to become members of the team, and Imogen is now preparing for some exciting creative opportunities ahead.
This week at Great Lengths HQ we caught up with Lou Lomax and Ferne Baker, two award-winning stylists from the Sally Montague Hair Group. Lou and Ferne have both won the ‘Best Extensionist Award’, an annual award which is sponsored by Great Lengths, and both stylists were eager to tell us why they love working with Great Lengths hair extensions…
Lou: I’m a Master Stylist at Sally Montague Hair Group and I work at the flagship salon, The Old Hall, in Derby. I have been a stylist for nine years and have been trained with Great Lengths for the past seven years. In that time I’ve seen the demand for hair extensions increase massively. Now the majority of my clients request Great Lengths hair extensions to increase length or add volume.
Ferne: I have been a stylist for six years and qualified as a Great Lengths extensionist three years ago, I also work at The Old Hall which is a Great Lengths Gold status salon. As a Colour Specialist, and a member of the salon’s Art Team, I love using Great Lengths for creative work and our photographic collections.
Lou: I am constantly looking for new hair trends and products to provide our clients with and I was very impressed by pre-bonded extensions. As someone with naturally fine hair who has always struggled to grow it, pre-bonded hair extensions were the solution, not just to my hair woes but my clients’ problems too!
Ferne: I started working with pre-bonded hair extensions when I saw the amazing transformations that were taking place in the salon. I was desperate to get involved and completed my Great Lengths training as soon as possible.
Lou: I think many people are now opting for hair extensions because it means they can have the hair they have always craved. Great Lengths range of hair extensions are affordable and effective, this is why I think they’ve grown in popularity.
Ferne: The hair and beauty industry are increasingly searching for dramatic and instant results. Clients don’t want to (or can’t) wait for their hair to grow, but they still want thick, fantastic quality hair.
(Hair by Lou Lomax)
Lou: People are often afraid of getting extensions because they believe it is complicated to maintain them. We recommend regular check-ups and using the Great Lengths After Care range. Everyone will handle their hair differently and they will find their own way of styling and looking after their extensions. Anybody can benefit from Great Lengths, whether it’s for volume, length or colour – the possibilities are endless!
Ferne: I would recommend to book a consultation with a certified Great Lengths specialist in your area. It’s better to have a one-on-one conversation to discuss your hair wish-list and see how hair extensions can work for you.
Lou: I’m often asked about where the hair is sourced from. I explain that Great Lengths use ethical sourcing methods. I tell them that the hair is voluntarily donated to Hindu temples in India and is bought at a fair price. Clients always seem pleased that the payment for the hair is then used to help the local community by developing medical services and providing education.
Ferne: The most common question I get asked is whether pre-bonded extensions will damage your hair. All Great Lengths Stylists are highly-trained to apply and remove. It’s important that clients use the correct brushes and hair care to look after their extensions. We discuss aftercare in the initial consultation so all clients are aware, right from the start, of how to look after their extensions.
(Hair by Ferne Baker)
Lou: I think we’ll see a move towards dual colour bonds to create a softer colour palette. With holiday season nearing I think a lot of clients will be requesting lighter shades.
Ferne: I predict we’ll see a rise in using hair extensions for thickness rather than length and to add depth to damaged hair. We used extensions in our last Art Team photoshoot (image below) for this effect, and it worked really well.
Lou: One of my clients went from a short crop into a long bob. We did a full head application and it gave her an insight into what it would be like to have long hair. Every application is a transformation, and watching people’s self-confidence grow is incredibly rewarding.
Ferne: My favourite transformation was with a client who had hair just below her chin. She had struggled for years to grow her hair any longer. I added 30cm length extensions and she was absolutely blown away. Not just by the length but by the quality and thickness of the hair.
We’re very proud to announce the graduation of a third L’Oreal Colour Specialist within the salon group. Laura Robertson, L’Oreal ID Artist and Manager of our Belper salon has recently graduated from the L’Oreal Professionnel Colour Specialist class of 2014, putting her in the top 1% of L’Oreal colourists in the UK.
Laura graduated in a prestigious ceremony at Central Saint Martins school of design in London and now joins graduates Lizzie Fox (Sadler Gate) and Alice Cronin (Ashbourne) as a certified Colour Specialist. Ferne Baker (The Old Hall) and Zoe Stevenson (Duffield) have also just completed the course and will graduate in May 2016.
The technically-savvy group are well placed to offer expert advice on colour correction and the latest colouring techniques after each successfully completing the course, which sets the standard for colourists dedicated to technical excellence. The Colourists were chosen to complete the degree because of their existing level of expertise and gained more than 90% in their final examinations. They now share an understanding of creative and on-trend colouring techniques that is second to none.
Says Director Sally Montague, “We are delighted to have another L’Oreal Colour Specialist within the Sally Montague Hair Group. Gaining a distinction is a fantastic accolade for Laura and the group as a whole.”
Laura Robertson is a L’Oreal ID Artist, Colour Specialist and a member of the Sally Montague Hair Group Art Team. To make an appointment with Laura at our Belper salon, please call 01773 822 520.
The sixth form leavers ball or prom is a huge event for many of our clients, marking the end of their school days and offering a great opportunity to celebrate before the start of exams. We offer ‘Prom Hair’ services at each of our six salons but this year we thought we’d share a few moments from the Ecclesbourne School Leavers Ball preparations at our Duffield salon.
From the moment they arrived we wanted the girls to feel excited about their evening ahead so our Front of House, Bonnie, greeted each client with a slide show of looks they might want to try, from red carpet ideas to celebrity styles.
Georgi, our very own model, knew exactly what she wanted – a modern twist on the classic style that Veronica Lake fashioned in the 1940’s. Angel perfected this for her, using a Cloud Nine wand and pin curls finishing by brushing the curls out to create a more modern, tousled look.
Georgi also visited Katie at our Belper salon and opted for the smoky eyed, natural lip look that is completely on trend this season using Make Up by HD Brows.
Deesh, a Master Stylist at Duffield, is an expert at creating the most beautiful up-dos. This fish-plait chignon was created using the Kerastase Couture Styling ‘Mousse Bouffant’ to ensure a firm hold.
1. It’s really important that your hair compliments your overall look so we always advise clients to describe what they are wearing in the evening, a photograph is event better!
2. Look for images of styles you might want to try. Even if the person in the photograph looks nothing like you, our Stylists will personalise the look to suit.
3. Wear a hooded top or something that you don’t have to pull over your head, you don’t want the style to drop before the ball.
4. Occasion hair should complement your unique style and personality, nobody one wants to arrive looking the same as someone else. Why not try something different to your everyday style – we have an album of inspirational prom hair looks on each of the salon iPads, please feel free to have a browse.
After an exceptionally busy day at Duffield everyone left with a goody bag full of glorious Kerastase, L’Oréal and Shu Uemura samples to take away and try, we hope you all had a great night!
Georgi modelled for us in the Grand Final of the L’Oreal Colour Trophy in London, having successfully passed through the photographic entry and regional final in Manchester. Georgi looked stunning on a the catwalk in front of over 2000 VIP guests, a bit of a change to being in the salon just a week before!
A snapshot of Georgi whilst having her make-up perfected at the Grand Final.
