Paul mitchell's gathering: where hairdressing and theatre collide
He was joined on stage by Simon Tickler, managing director of Salon Success, who told delegates: "It is a great pleasure, honour and privilege to welcome you all here. "Today is all about inspiration, and what inspires me is the open hearts, open minds and willingness to learn in this industry."
Those open hearts and minds were fuelled by two days of live hair shows, creative workshops, business seminars and the climax of the Color Challenge and Color Bar competitions.
Inspiring live shows
Disconnection and asymmetry were the buzzwords as the Paul Mitchell artistic directors created their signature styles in the hair shows that wowed the crowds.
From a burnt orange modern mullet created by global artistic director Robert Cromeans, to Angus Mitchell's pillar box red layers with an asymmetric fringe, these hairstyles were not for the faint hearted.
The perm also made a return to the Paul Mitchell stage for the first time in 12 years, with Julian Perlingiero of the Angus M Creative team styling a multi-textural look with curls through the back and a straight fringe.
Colour was represented by three themes: Old Money for more mature clients who have money to invest in their hair colour. From rich velvety browns to creamy blondes, they're looking for something classic and timeless that just screams out expensive.
New Money for clients who are happy to keep coming back as frequently as it takes to keep their multi-tonal colour looking healthy and shiny.
And No Money for clients who want statement hair, with panels of contrasting colour and vibrant shades. These clients might not come back from one month to the next but that doesn't mean they don't want the wow factor.
And in Paul Mitchell's very-own theatrical style, they saved the best for last. The finale took inspiration from everything from Avatar to architecture, all perfectly complemented by out-of-this-world costumes, innovative AV and creative props to show you just what you can achieve when you push your imagination to its limits.
3.6.5 Symposium
It isn't just creative inspiration that comes from a variety of sources; the bi-annual meeting of 3.6.5 Club members drew on everything from a personal shopping experience to a charity project in Africa to encourage salon owners to maximise their business opportunities.
Ken West, director of education for 3.6.5 told delegates: "The symposium is addressed by truly inspirational people with the aim to give every delegate, no matter how experienced, one or two things to take back to the salon with them."
And this came to fruition with presentations from Paul Mitchell dean of schools Winn Clayburgh, motivational speaker Paul Avins, salon owner Chris Amos of Chapters Hair, Simon Tickler and Ken.
While Chris Connors, owner of a three-salon chain Coco's, reduced the audience to tears when he spoke about his team's work with the Coco's Foundation, a project to build a trauma centre in Africa.
Colour Challenge and Color Bar Competitions
No Gathering would be complete without a celebration and the Inspiration party was also the perfect platform to announce the winners of this year's Color Challenge and Color Bar competitions.
And the winners were:
Color Challenge Commercial
- 1st Adele Sylvester, Shear Beauty
- 2nd Samantha Protheroe, Encore
- 3rd Lucy Mitchell, Shear Beauty
Color Challenge Avant Garde
- 1st Michael Schobben, Haarvorming Michael Schobben (Netherlands)
- 2nd Lauren Owens, Poppy's Hairdressing
- 3rd Annie Dodsworth, Image International
Color Bar
- 1st Mary Olander, Mojos
- 2nd place, Robbie Shaw from Bobbers
