Uk stylist scoops international honours at goldwell color zoom

Just days after the fashionistas moved on from Paris Fashion Week, the hair industry moved into the chic city for the international final of Goldwell Color Zoom.

More than 2,000 hairdressers from 23 countries descended on the Halle Freyssinet, home to the Chanel, Lanvin and Burberry Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week shows, for the three-day hairdressing event - and for the UK contingency there were celebrations as Neil Barton scooped the Creative Colorist award.

The weekend began with the live finals taking place in front of a prestigious panel of judges, including Mark Leeson and Beverly C from the UK.

Competitors - who had won the Partner Colorist, New Talent Colorist and Creative Colorist titles in their home nations - had just three hours to recreate their look live on stage.

The brief was to interpret the 2010 Just Naked trend and while most hairdressers did just that, there were a couple of bright, vivid undercuts and layers that were miles away from the natural, subtle trend.

After a long and exhausting day, competitors, judges and visitors were treated to a welcome party at the historic Pavillon Baltard, where live music and strong alcoholic beverages flowed into the early hours.

For those without hangovers there was the opportunity to take in the sights of the fashion-forward city before the grand final at the Halle Freyssinet in the evening, where a large white catwalk dominated the room and the festivities really got into full swing.

A stunning aquatic acrobatic performance, by what seemed to be a human mermaid, wowed the crowd before gorgeous and athletic male pole dancers took to the stage. A theatrical hair show by Swiss stylist Mondo Valentino included high-heeled male stylists and 1970s-inspired neon Afghan fur coats complemented by exaggerated shapes and colours.

Then the roof was raised when the global finalists walked the catwalk with their model waving their national flag, to roars of approval from the audience.

After a three-course meal, Goldwell unveiled its 2011 trend - Play Strong. A far cry from the natural trend for 2010, it featured strong graphic cuts and vivid hues.

From short blonde crops to avant-garde updos, this trend featured black, white and red contrasted and worked together to create playful, strong, feminine and androgynous styles.

Then it was time to find out who was winner of the three categories: Partner Colorist went to Marcela Blechova from Czech Republic, New Talent Colorist to Luo Wan Jen from Taiwan and Neil Barton from the UK clinched the Creative Colorist award - the first ever UK winner in the international finals.