L'oréal professionnel supports graduate fashion week 2012

Alongside title sponsors, George, the leading professional hair brand employed its young Portfolio team to style hair for 20 shows, presenting the work of more than 1000 students from 39 different universities. 

Directed by experienced session stylists, Chris Appleton of George's, Leicester and Kathryn Dartnell of Haringtons, London, the team of 25 young stylists from across the country worked tirelessly to create hairstyles for each college show, with looks ranging from textured top-knots to wet-look crops.

The week culminated with a glittering Gala show, which saw the best collections from the week battle it out for a series of prestigious awards. 

Hosted by TV presenter, Caryn Franklin, the prestigious event attracted a host of A-list stars and industry icons including Daisy Lowe, Daphne Guinness, Caroline Flack, Livia Firth, ELLE editor Lorraine Candy and designers David Koma and Mark Fast.

For the final catwalk show, the Portfolio team developed four different looks which represented current catwalk trends as well as coordinating with the collections of all 20 finalists.

Look one saw hair styled in a side parting with a natural sweep, styled into a clean horizontal roll at the nape of the neck. The second style also featured a side part, but incorporated an on-trend wet-look finish, with the front sections secured at the nape and the lengths left super-sleek and straight. 

This season's must-have grungy texture made up look three, with a side-parting and airy, flyway lengths. The final look combined a classic French pleat and beehive shape with sleek sides for a modern, cone-shaped update on a traditional style.

As well as prizes for menswear, womenswear, knitwear, marketing and media, the evening also saw acclaimed photographer, Chris Moore, receive a lifetime achievement award and Chloe Jones of Bath Spa university awarded the £20,000 George Gold Award.

Terry Mansfield, vice chairman of Graduate Fashion Week said: "We're delighted to acknowledge L'Oréal Professionnel's tremendous contribution to the success of Graduate Fashion Week. L'Oréal Professionnel gives students unique access to world-class hair stylists at this pivotal moment in their careers. Their expert involvement is particularly invaluable as it helps the students present a most professional image on the GFW catwalk." 

And the winners were:

International Collection: Karen Jessen, ESMOD, Berlin

Knitwear Collection: Jousianne Propp, Manchester and Caitlin Charles Jones, Kingston

Textile Collection: Xiaoping Huang, Lancashire

Barclays New Business Award: Holly Reid, Central Lancashire

Fashion Innovation Award: Ami Collins, Cenral Lancashire

Per Aquum Marketing Award: Hayley Oldfeld, Central Lancashire

Media & Design Award: Kerrie Donelly, UCA Epsom

Stand Design Award: Edinburgh College of Art

George: Best of British Award: Susanna Yi, East London

George: Childrenswear Award: Harriet Simons, Colchester

Karen Millen Portfolio Award: Jousianne Propp, Manchester

David Band Textiles Award: Emma Hardstaff, Edinburgh

Mulberry Accessories Award: Laura Smallwood, Kingston

Ethical Award: Sarah Murphy, Northumbria

Lifetime Achievement Award: Chris Moore

Menswear Award: Riona Horrox, Edinburgh

Womenswear Award: Chloe Jones, Bath Spa

Geoge Gold Award: Chloe Jones, Bath Spa