CRAIG CHAPMAN Hair Design in Launceston has become the first salon to win hairdressing's newest accolade, the Mizani Afro Catwalk Look Award.
The culmination of the team's three month competition journey came to a heady conclusion on June 1 at Earls Court 2 when Craig Chapman was crowned the overall winner of his category at the L'Oreal Professional Colour Trophy Grand Final.
Despite facing tough competition from six salons from around the UK, Craig produced a look that was unbeatable. He proved to the judges that he had his fingers firmly on the pulse of fashion by presenting a double-textured style that combined smooth lines, structure and catwalk-inspired clothes by designer Aminaka Wilmot.
"I feel that our look encapsulates the future of Afro hairdressing and will be one of the hottest styles of 2009," predicts salon owner Craig.
Over 1,300 of the world's top hairdressers gave a standing ovation as Craig and his team collected their award from the evening's presenter Gethin Jones and speaking moments after they off stage, it was clear that the enormity of this achievement would take some time to sink in.
"This is the first award I have won as an individual and it feels like the most enormous achievement. I've been working for years to get to this point, and I'm extremely proud of myself," said Craig.
Talent,drive and determination saw them through three tough rounds of the competition which started way back in March.
Over 1,200 salon teams entered, 358 regional finalists were shortlisted; with just 6 finalists selected to compete in this brand new category. The win means that the team pick up a prize package that includes a photo spread with a top magazine and numerous opportunities that will boost their profile as Afro hairdressing experts.
Craig Chapman Hair Design was among six teams form across the UK vying for the top spot in the Mizani Afro Catwalk Look Award. Afro hair gurus Errol Douglas, Tony Hegarty, Michelle Thompson and Junior Green made up the panel of industry peers who deliberated over who should be the winner.
"The competitors have set a really impressive standard for the future of the Mizani Afro Catwalk Look Award and will inspire many hairdressers to enter this category in the future," said Junior Green.
Unaware of their fate, the competitors and their supporters made their way to the spectacular grand final at Earls Court 2 to experience total glamour, sophistication and total inspiration — the very best of British hairdressing. Throughout the evening there were stunning artistic shows by Jason and India Miller for Charlie Miller and the Haringtons Art Team.
As the competition headed towards its dramatic conclusion, Craig and his team waited anxiously to hear if they had done enough to win. When their salon name was called, there was a split-second of utter disbelief as they realised they had done it. Craig Chapman Hair Design had won the first ever Mizani Afro Catwalk Look Award.
"To win a new category in the LPCT competition is just amazing, it's almost like headlining something brand new!" exclaimed Craig. "It's never been done before and it's great to win the first prize for it. When I got back the window of the salon was full of congrats balloons and cards! I had messages from everybody at the salon, they've told all the clients, its such a buzz".
The judges agreed that the talented team had met the brief to reflect Autumn/Winter 09/10 trends as set by L'Oreal Proffesional as Errol Douglas explained: "We were looking for something new — a trend in afro hair, something directional. Afro hair should embody catwalk-y, fashion forward and exiting yet mainstream hair — afro hair shouldn't be seen as difficult or problem hair to style which is why it should be accessible. Craig's look made the judges stand back and think wow — I didn't know you could do that with afro hair! It was truly beautiful."