Face off 2012 winners' exclusive la photo shoot
The winners of American Crew's 2012 Face Off competition jetted to LA for an exclusive photo shoot at Milk Studios.
As their names were called out at the Face Off Finalists' Lunch, the three winners of Face Off 2012 knew they were in line for an adventure.
Not only had they won themselves a photo shoot with a top photographer and professional models, they were flying off the LA to do it at the famous Milk Studios.
At the end of May, the waiting was over and winners Claire Flack of Wigs and Warpaint, Sheffield; Roy Rogers, Milk, Edinburgh and Matthew Gavin, Christian Wiles Hairdressing, Northampton, boarded a plane with
American Crew UK's brand manager Mark Shorrock and HJ Men editor Matthew Batham to the showbiz capital of the world for a trip they will never forget.
The winners had a day to relax and enjoy the sites of LA, not least the splendour of their hotel, the famous Chateaux Marmont, before embarking on their day at the Milk Studios - a day that surpassed all their expectations.
Explains Mark: "Milk Studios is one of the finest photographic studios in the world. It's like arriving at a five-star hotel. The facilities there exceed anything the winners could possibly need."
Matthew Gavin was blown away by the experience: "Milk Studios were absolutely fantastic, it took my breath away. All the facilities available were absolutely first-class. Also getting to work with a professional male model was great. I've never done a shoot with a full-time professional model before and mine was absolutely fantastic."
Roy shares Matthew's enthusiasm: "Going to the Milk Studios was amazing. I've never been anywhere like it before. The models were excellent and there were so many people around to help us, including make-up artists and stylists."
Says Claire: "The Milk Studios were unreal - such a cool place. To have that level of
production behind you helps make your work look the best it can look. I feel extremely privileged to have experienced that."
Joining the winners at the Studio was Craig Hanson, artistic director for Colomer Salons Division which owns the American crew brand, who was highly impressed by the work of the UK Face Off winners.
Said Craig: "Their attention to detail was excellent. They obviously know the American Crew brand and approach to cutting. They are using the products to play with texture which is awesome. Each of them has also expressed something about themselves - they have all taken a very different approach although each has produced a classic American Crew look, which is masculine and modern, but individual."
Each winner got to create two looks on their model, both of which were shot by top photographer and founder of American Crew, David Raccuglia. Winners were invited to select their favourite images from the shoot to be retouched and sent to them for their portfolios.
It wasn't all about the shoot; with plenty of free time at their disposal, the winners managed to fit in an open-top bus tour taking in the main sites of Hollywood; a trip to Malibu; some poolside time and plenty of fine dining.
All three winners agree they had the experience of a lifetime - and it all began with two black and white images of a men's haircut.
