Everything we saw at the unite global session vi in san diego

It was celebrations all round in San Diego as Unite celebrated its sweet sixteen birthday at its sixth Global Session... The Unite Global Session was held in sunny San Diego, not far from the brand’s large West Coast base. Andrew Dale, the brand’s founder, told the crowd gathered at the Balboa Theatre: “People said I was crazy when I started Unite but here we are 16 years later.” The two-day event bought together a mix of editorial and avant-garde styling as well as barbering and on-point cutting. The brand’s creative director Gary Baker, Karine Jackson, Melissa Timperley, Narad Kutowaroo and Matthew Curtis were flying the flag from the UK. The editorial styling segments were packed with nuggets of advice from the artists on stage as they coiffed their model’s hair into red carpet-worthy looks. “Get your basics right,” advised Karine Jackson as she pulled together a beehive style using techniques she learned from Patrick Cameron where you use the hair as a padding for a seamless look. Continuing the advice, Gary Baker added the prep and product is the most important part of creating a look. It’s advice that’s relevant especially now as he believes the industry is moving back to more dressed hair. “Is that to do with the current economic climate or are hairdressers just tired of beachy waves and balayage,” he pondered as he created his first look of the event. He used tools from the new Unite electrical range – the Unite Pro-System Styling Iron and 3-in-1 Curling Wand. Both tools launched at the event and will be available in the UK via Salon Success in 2020. A variety of cuts and techniques were on show throughout the event. From Melissa Timperley’s salon-friendly and highly wearable cuts with reverse-layering for a weightless feel to Paul Stafford’s high-fashion looks. Commenting on his daring cuts Paul said: “Someone online described my cutting as brutal but I like to call it raw.” For the barbering segment, Unite’s male barbering brand GO 24.7 took centre stage. The on-trend men’s styles were created by GO 24.7 artistic team member Manny Padron, Matt Stark and Elle Majors. The event’s compères David Drew and Kenny Gibson asked the team: How do you get male clients to buy products? Matt said: “Just be honest. If I can’t live without it, then how can you?” The rule book was thrown out of the window for the avant-garde segments of the event. An array of textures and colours were used to create artistic looks to inspire the audience. Shaun McGrath, the Australian Hair Fashion Awards Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year impressed the crowd with an aquatic style that required a step ladder to complete. The audience were given the chance to learn about a cause close to the Unite family’s heart – Shelter to Soldier. This US-based charity unites 9-11 veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injury with rescue dogs, training them to be psychiatric service dogs. All the proceeds from Unite’s Doggy ‘Poo shampoo and the brand’s new detangler is split between this charity and the San Diego Humane Society. The mix of creativity and charity is the core of the brand and it was clear that what matters most is making everyone feel part of the Unite family. Click through the gallery to see the highlights of the event!