New Zealand Hair Stylists Take Vision to the World

For the first time two of New Zealand's most innovative hairdressers are headed for Berlin and New York to show some of the toughest markets in the world their creative and cutting edge vision of New Zealand style.

Twenty-four year old Carly Fleming of Stephen Marr Hair Skin and Body, Auckland, will take on the world's best in the young visionary category (under 30 years of age) at the inaugural Wella International Trend Vision Awards. She will be competing against top stylists from 40 countries at this global event in Berlin in November.

Headed to New York is 31-year-old Steven Kelly of Toni & Guy who has been awarded the career-boosting opportunity of a seminar at the prestigious and internationally acclaimed, Wella Studio - New York.

These two ambassadors of New Zealand style are the winners of the 2003 Wella Trend Vision Awards.

Internationally acclaimed stylists and European fashion futurists annually develop a portfolio of mega trends which are used for the Wella Trend Vision awards here in New Zealand. This year's mega trends are Energising Antiquity, Eccentric Romantic and Graphic Elegance.

Entrants from around the country were invited to demonstrate their creativity and inspirational interpretation of one of the three 2003 Wella Trend Vision trends through hai,r clothing, makeup as well as producing the overall look into photographic excellence.

The judges were looking for an understanding by the stylist of the trends, skill in reproducing the trend to reflect their individual style and a flowing overall end look.

The judging panel of fashion editor Ana McDonald, fashion photographer Monty Adams, hairstylist/TV presenter Richard Kavanagh and Wella's technical manager Damon Kidd said the standard of the 2003 Wella Trend Vision Award entries was extremely high.

"We knew this was going to be an extremely difficult competition to judge right from the outset," says Damon Kidd, judge and Wella technical manager.

"The winners were outstanding in their ability to interpret and capture the trend. While the competition is about hairdressing and fashion it's also about being able to portray the Wella trends in a contemporary, creative and inspirational way."

CAPTION: Young Visionary one: Award winning entry by Carly Fleming

Carly's winning entry was and interpretation of the Eccentric Romantic trend and Steven's, Graphic Elegance.

Eccentric Romanic is themed around fantasy versus reality, where boundaries are unclear. Theatricality, memories of childhood, surrealism and expressiveness are the key themes in this collection. Hair is longer, the styling elegant and curls definitive.

Graphic Elegance encompasses strong contrasts, graphic accuracy and the perfect silhouette. The look is androgynous and timeless with strong, masculine accessories. Hair is kept short and cuts are accurate with youthful effect. The look is all about basic lines kept simple.

Runners up and highly commended in the Young Visionary awards were Michael Beel from Buoy Salon in Wellington and Raaid Alias from Servilles in Ponsonby respectively.

Runners up and highly commended in the Master Visionary awards were Michele Webb from LHD in Rangiora and Danny Pato also from Stephen Marr Hair Skin and Body.

Released on behalf of Wella by Porter Novelli New Zealand (Auckland) Ltd.

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