Backstage by Snowden Hill

Around the world, hair expos may be a common occurrence but here in New Zealand we’re more likely to see individual brands sponsor hair award shows – that is, until the inaugural New Zealand hair expo, Hair X, launched on 2nd June…

Around the world, hair expos may be a common occurrence but here in New Zealand we’re more likely to see individual brands sponsor hair award shows – that is, until the inaugural New Zealand hair expo, Hair X, launched on 2nd June.

The fabulous Sara Allsop and Jock Robson from Dharma Hairdressing have put a immensely large amount of hard work into creating Hair X at The Hilton in Auckland over Queen’s Birthday weekend, sponsored by L’Oréal Professionel, Fudge, MAC and Redken.

Sara, New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2011 award winner, and Jock decided that New Zealand needed a show of its own after attending hair events around the world including Redken Symposium in Las Vegas and Hair Expo in Sydney. “It’s taken about a year to pull it together but we are delighted at the enthusiasm of everyone who is taking part in the first ever hairdressing expo here,” says Sara.

Hair X is headlined by fashion show hairstylist Snowden Hill, originally from New Zealand, who has spent 17 years in London and who works alongside legendary stylist Guido Palau on the international runway circuit. Joining Snowden Hill are top salons Adoux, Bettjemans, Blaze, Buoy, Dharma, French Revolver, Louise Pilkington, Me, Morgan and Morgan, Raven, Sutherland Todd, Vada and Venom giving workshops.

Thread.co.nz attended the opening show on Saturday night June 2nd, “Backstage by Snowden Hill” for Fudge.

The evening began with four top designers showing seven looks each from current in-season AW12. Unlike a fashion show, where each model has the same hair look, each of the seven models had a completely different look, but followed a story thematically.

Below: Jimmy D.

We were expecting, from the pre-publicity, for Snowden Hill to share inspiration and discuss technical insights, but what he did was perform a live hair demo instead of speaking. Assisted by a woman stylist, Hill created an up-do with a foam donut on a model to rapturous applause from the audience of hairstylists and his own family from the Hawkes Bay.

Below: The crowd goes wild. You’ve got to love the hairdressing industry; no-one ever gets this excited at fashion shows.

It was superbly well run – for a inaugural event one would expect a few teething troubles – so we were pleasantly surprised at how smoothing it all went (at least from sitting out the front!) Thread did go backstage, and it was all remarkably calm there too.

On Sunday night, a L’Oréal Creative Transmission Show with showcase L’Oréal Professionnel ambassadors displaying the latest in progressive hair trends in a collection dramatically titled “Ature Soi – The Parisian Alter Ego”. This will be followed by Emerging Talent, a show which puts the spotlight on a new generation of hairdressers with a series of platform collections to inspire.

A total of 18 Seminars presented by industry heavyweights will be held throughout the day on both Sunday and Monday (3 and 4 June). The Sunday seminar schedule has a strong business/creative focus and offers presenters of the calibre of Jennifer Morgan (Morgan & Morgan), Guy Roberts (Vada) and Grant Bettjeman (Bettjemans). Monday’s theme is Session Styling and Photographic Work, with seminars by Snowden Hill and top local talent complemented by presentations from the M.A.C Pro Team, a live Remix Editorial Shoot, and a panel Q&A.

What next? After this first Hair X, Jock and Sarah head to Sydney (June 9-12) where for the first time ever a NZ hairdresser will provide the creative direction at the opening show at Hair Expo. Sara will call on the expertise of Bettjemans, Blaze, Bouy and Raven to help backstage. Meanwhile Jock will be managing Launch Pad – an on-site opportunity for young talent from both countries to learn from the best. Jock and Sara are also finalists in the hotly contested title of NZ Hairdresser of the Year which will be announced at the event at Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

For more information, see the Hair X 2012 website www.hairx.co.nz

Megan Robinson
3 June 2012