Session styling courses for hairdressers in 2014

Session styling courses are a great way to prepare yourself for the hectic world of working backstage at shows and shoots. Although nothing can compare with experience, having a good grasp of the techniques that are most commonly used backstage will enable you to be prepared and confident to tackle any styling challenge. We've rounded up a selection of the best hairdressing courses to enhance not just your knowledge of essential backstage styling techniques, but also of trends and fashion forecasting.

Session Styling Courses for Hairdressers

Aston & Fincher Vintage Hair Course

Where: Birmingham, Cardiff and Plymouth Price: £450 Student profile: Stylists with at least one year of experience Description: With retro hairstyles even more in demand than ever, this is perfect opportunity to learn the history, techniques and styles to meet current trends. You'll cover the history of shapes and styles of the 20th century in both demonstration and on live models, then on day two you'll have the opportunity to work in a photoshoot with a talented professional course photographer and make up artist and create images to take away. Contact: Call 0870 240 2176

Aveda Editorial

Where: London Price: £245 Student profile: Stylists with at least one year of experience Description: Further your artistic ability and knowledge of trend-styling techniques with a fashion-forward course that looks at the dressed shapes of tomorrow. You'll learn the finishing techniques to create catwalk effects, the perfect products to get the look and enjoy plenty of demonstrations showcasing new approaches to dressing hair. Contact: Call 0870 428 6383 or email [email protected]

Bumble and bumble Fashion Week Close-Up

Where: London Price: £200 Student profile: Stylists with at least one year of experience Description: Enjoy an up-close-and-personal seminar with a Bb session stylist highlighting the key looks from the shows and how to achieve them. You'll also walk away with a report containing imagery and a detailed trends overview from each of the shows to take back and share at the salon. Contact: Call 0870 428 6383 or visit www.bumbleandbumble.co.uk

Capital Hair & Beauty Plaits, Plats and More Platz

Where: Courses across the country Price: £45+VAT Student profile: Beginners Description: Plaits are a perennial catwalk favourite and one of the most essential techniques for creating runway-ready looks. In this dedicated course, you'll learn how to master the simple technique of plaiting as well as fishtail and rope techniques using three and four strands. Contact: Visit www.capitalhairandbeauty.co.uk

Clynol Photo Finish

Where: London Price: £1,400 for two stylists Student profile: Salon owners and managers Description: This course gives two participants the opportunity to showcase their skills and capture them in two stunning professional images. With creative direction from an award-winning hairdresser and photography from a professional photographer plus professional models, clothes stylist and make-up artist, this is the fast route to fabulous salon imagery. Attendees can also spend valuable time soaking up skills and advice and will leave with two beautiful images for their own use. Contact: Call 020 7724 7931 or visit www.clynol.com

ghd Session Styling Secrets with Skyler Mcdonald

Where: London Price: £200+VAT Student profile: Intermediate to advanced Description:In this interactive workshop you will have the opportunity to understand the importance of prepping, learning how to shape hair and create looks that come to life on camera. Skyler will break down the tricky techniques that you’ve always wanted to learn. This is a relaxed and fun workshop where you are guaranteed to come away with a host of new ideas to put into practice straight away. Contact: Call 0845 3301133 (UK) or +44 (0)1924 423400 (ROI) or speak to your ghd account manager

Kevin Fortune Editorial & Catwalk Hair Styling

Where: London Price: £555+VAT (in conjunction with any other two Kevin Fortune courses) Student profile: Stylists Description: The world of catwalk and editorial hair styling allows you to explore your creative vision and ability as a stylist to articulate and translate your ideas into elaborate style statements. This course module aims to cultivate your creative freedom, while guiding you towards a focused approach to working within specific design-briefs. A different designer will set a brief for each class and the course will culminate in a shoot with a professional photographer capturing your creations in photograph and a short promo-video. Contact: Call 0207 871 3057 or visit www.kevinfortuneuk.com

KMS 2014 Campaign Sessions

Where: London Price: £125 Student profile: All levels Description: See the latest KMS campaign come to life in this advanced creative cutting and editorial styling program. This class explores the inspiration behind the photo shoot and the techniques used to create the looks, while giving a behind-the- scenes peek into the KMS brand, team, models and concept. Designed to encourage individual style expression, this class gives stylists the freedom to personalize these techniques to suit their wants and their clients' needs. Contact: Call 020 7318 4000

L'Oréal Professionnel Session Inspiration

Where: London Price: £229 Student profile: Advanced stylists Description: Session Inspiration is brought to you by teams that really understand session hairdressing. Experienced artists including Guy Kremer, Mark Woolley and Rush will share with you their tips and ideas on how to approach session and editorial hair so that you can take ideas back to your salon in ways that your clients will love. Contact: Call 02087 624 200 or email [email protected]

Redken Runway Styles Inspired by Guido Palau

Where: London, Manchester Price: £225 Student profile: Advanced stylists Description: Selected Redken Artists will introduce you to Redken Global Ambassador Guido Palau’s signature lookbook in this exclusive platform class. Be dazzled by beautiful red carpet and runway hair and gain a greater understanding of the skills to recreate these looks for your clients in the salon. Contact: Call 020 8762 4239 or visit www.redken.co.uk

Schwarzkopf Professional ASK Essential Styling

Where: London, Belfast, Dublin Price: £200 Student profile: Junior stylists Description: This Essential Styling course will bring you back to the basics, fine tune your skills and make you into a complete, confident and competent hairdresser. This course will focus on wrap drying; straightening with irons for a silky smooth finish; creating waves with curling irons, hair dryer and fingers to get the ultimate fullness and volume from hair. Contact: Call 020 7724 7931 or email [email protected]

TIGI Session Hair

Where: London Price: £590 Student profile: Advanced hairdressers Description: The TIGI team work backstage in New York, London, Milan and Paris and know all there is to know about current trends and how to achieve them. You'll cover styling and finishing ideas as well as product advice, to help you create quick and effective looks straight from the catwalk. Contact: Call 0844 844 0950 or visit www.tigiprofessional.com

TONI&GUY Session & Editorial

Where: London, Edinburgh and Manchester Price: from £600+VAT Student profile: Qualified stylists Description: As official sponsors of London Fashion Week, it's safe to say that TONI&GUY know a thing or too about session work. This three or five-day course covers all aspects of session work, as well as an overview of forthcoming trends. Contact: Call 020 7240 5301 or visit www.toniandguy.com

Wella Professionals Backstage Confidential

Where: London and Manchester Price: £312 Student profile: Experienced stylists Description: Bring polished, glamorous and directional hair styling from backstage at fashion week to your clients and salon team. You'll learn how to give our clients the runway look while giving your salon the edge over competitors by learning the tricks, tips and secrets of some of the most in-demand editorial and show hairdressers around. Contact: Call 020 7637 7172