Rae palmer gives hair graduate the opportunity of a lifetime

Sophie Peach is 'flabbergasted' after winning The HABB Graduate competition, in conjunction with Schwarzkopf and launched by leading hairdresser and Schwarzkopf Ambassador Rae Palmer.

The Highbury College graduate saw off fellow students from the college as well as those from nearby Fareham College to win a fabulous prize including a year's apprenticeship at Rae Palmer Hairdressing in Southsea; tickets to the British Hairdressing Business Awards and British Hairdressing Awards 2008 and the opportunity to work on stage with Rae at Salon International.

"I'm looking forward to everything!" said Sophie, "Absolutely everything. I want to be on stage at Salon International doing hair, and I'm looking forward to working with Rae and learning everything I can."

The competition united local colleges with industry charity HABB in order to raise money and awareness while providing exciting training sessions for students.

Prior to the grand final, Rae had undertaken workshops at the two colleges, giving advice on how to go about interpreting the Essential Looks brief and preliminary judging had already taken place in May with the top students from each college booking their places in the final.

Schwarzkopf's Technical Director Mark Todd commented, "It's a great way to nurture young people with talent," while Erica Feather of Schwarzkopf said "the standard from both colleges was very high and they dealt with the brief really well - we were extremely impressed."