Tigi get close with andrew collinge

Beneath the glittering chandeliers of the Hilton hotel in London Paddington, the TIGI Get Close event was a chance for audience members to learn about Spring/Summer '12 hair trends, discover new products from the brand and see top stylists in action.

First to take to the T-shaped stage was TIGI European Creative Director Nick Irwin, who demonstrated some of the latest product innovations from the TIGI collection, and emphasized the importance of youth culture in their ideas and development.

Nick created three looks, starting with a sleek, blonde, sixties-style bob which he transformed into a textured, modern 'do. "Sixties is going to be everywhere for the Spring/Summer season," he explained, "but rather than create a retro look you want to put a twist on it".

Other trends demonstrated were vintage, with a volumised updo resembling a modern day Marie Antoinette, and "sophisticated grunge" - pinned-up, messy braids, as seen at Mark Fast's London Fashion Week show.

Christel Lundqvist, TIGI's recently recruited Global Technical Creative Director, explained colour trends for the new season. "We look not just to fashion, but to interior design and make-up trends to find the colours that will be big," she said. "For this season, that means a softer, iridescent version of the pastel hues which have been popular."

Colour techniques have also moved on in the TIGI camp. "The dip dye look has been all over the catwalk for a while" said Christel. "We've developed that to a more progressional colour change from the roots to the tip."

Andrew Collinge salon managers James Bacon and Jayne Mahon spoke next, talking through the styles of four models and cutting the hair live on stage. The models' hair had been dyed using the new Copyright Colour range from TIGI, which included fresh, fashionable shades such as Orchid Blonde, Rosewood, Steel Lavender and Oyster Pink.

The finale of the night was Andrew Collinge on stage. After thanking several friends and former colleagues for attending, including hairdressing icon Ann Herman, he demonstrated the one-pin updos he is famous for, impressing the audience with his amazing speed and dexterity.

 After creating several polished, Mad Men-style looks on his first model, Andrew's second model came to the stage with a long, crimped ponytail (which had taken three hours to prep). This was transformed into a structured, flicked-up side ponytail with plenty of volume at the crown - suitably dramatic for the final look.

A catwalk display from all the models closed the show, with stylists joining them in stage to say their final thanks. The evening wound up with drinks for attendees, who had the opportunity to chat to the Andrew Collinge and TIGI team members about their creations.