'practice, practice, practice' say afro catwalk look winners

Thanks to a stunning image and a lot of hard work, Cutting Room Creative, Leeds, were the Mizani Afro Catwalk Look Award Winners 2011.

Here is the story behind their success and one word keeps on coming up: PRACTICE!

What made you enter the Mizani Afro Catwalk Look Award?

The L'Oreal Colour Trophy is one of the highlights of the hairdressing calendars and a fantastic opportunity to get some of the younger team involved.

I have been a regional winner at the final for the L'Oréal Colour Trophy, but this year I was particularly interested in entering Mizani this year as I have an interest in afro hair and had a vision of the look I wanted to produce

Tell us a little bit about your entry - what do you think made it stand out?

I think there are so many key factors that you need to take into account. The model, the colour and the styling. This all normally starts with a mood board.

It is so important that what you do really suits the model and that you really keep to the brief. I think that with my model I got all of these factors coming together well and the finish, shine and condition of the hair was the finishing touch.

Once you'd submitted the image you had to recreate it in the Afro Catwalk Look Award Final. Did you do anything special to prepare yourself for this?

Practice, Practice, Practice! I made sure that I maintained the model's hair, retained the condition with home care and practiced the finishing look so I knew exactly how the hair responded.

And was there anything about the final that you hadn't expected or did everything go to plan?

Things normally always go to plan if you have prepared properly. i.e. mood board and that you have practiced your finished look.

How did you feel when you were announced as a winner at the Grand Final? How was the night?

You feel so proud and all the hard work has paid off!

I was totally thrilled as the other finalists were all known for their Afro work and were all southern salons. I was particularly proud to be a northern finalist, but then to win was the most amazing feeling! I was on cloud nine for weeks.

It has been great that the press do seem to really like the image and it has been printed all over.

You won some great prizes. What has been your highlight?

It's hard to pick out one prize; all the opportunities and prizes are fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed the shoot with Blackhair magazine. I ended up creating about 12 different looks on four girls and got a front cover into the bargain! I was very pleased with all the looks.

What advice would you give to other people considering entering?

Planning is the name of the game. Then practice until you can't practice anymore, it really is worth it!