Urban talent 09 finalists unveiled at the redken artistic parties
"People learn best when they're having fun" according to UK Redken Global Artist Chris Moody - and by that criteria the 2009 Redken Artistic Parties (RAPs) were a roaring educational success.
The three sell out events, in Newbury, Manchester and Birmingham, were a blend of classic blonde beauty and edgy creations all presented with the high-octane Redken vibe.
Glam Up Your Blonde
Part one, Glam up your Blonde, saw US Redken Global Artist, George Garcia and Chris Moody uncovering new techniques for freehand colouring and using soft movements of colour around the top of the head.
As the pair created transitions of colour where tones gently blended together; George explained that dramatic statement colours and bold slices are confined to trends of yesteryear.
And Chris believes this is great news for keeping clients in the salon. "This is very different to what people can achieve at home," he says.
"In these difficult times that is what will keep people coming back - they won't give up their luxuries."
The Professional Edge
Next, UK Redken Global Artist Lee Stafford and Global Artistic Director Chris Baran took to the stage to present The Professional Edge.
Chris feels that hairdressers are all too quick to assume clients will be too conservative for a change, which is why he wanted to empower the audience to 'take control as the designer'.
Using a series of clips and two edgy models, the duo demonstrated how editorial images can be reinterpreted for the salon.
"Whether it is commercial looks of something on the edge there is always something that we as hairdressers can get from it," Chris concludes.
There were further demonstrations of how you can put an edgy twist on a contemporary hairstyle, with Lee showcasing 'the channel', a geometric technique that removes the weight from long afro hair; while Chris made the bold statement that "the bob is over!" and reinterpreted that classic style with his own asymmetric 'lolly bob.
Urban Talent 09 Finalists
As well as the evenings' edu-tainment, the main attraction for the excited crowd was the serious business of unveiling the Urban Talent 09 finalists.
The regional finalists had already spent a day at the Redken Exchange, where their creations were judged by the critical eyes of Annie Humphries; Louise White, editor of Hair Magazine; Amanda Dicker, Redken Artist and Owner of The Chapel Tunbridge Wells and Lee Wallick, executive editor of Man About Town magazine.
All of their models - complete with high fashion hairstyles - were paraded on the catwalk before the grand Finalist who will compete at TRIBE 09 were announced. They are...
Color Genius Finalists
- Creations, Chichester (Southern Region)
- Mova Hair & Beauty Salon, Virginia Water (Southern Region)
- Exclusives Hair, from Hull (Northern Region)
- Lee Scolding Hairdressing, Solihull (Midland Region)
- 5th Avenue Hair & Beauty, Bedford (Midland Region)
Style Innovator Finalists
- Ciente Salon, Berkhamsted (Southern Region)
- Wilsons Hairdressing, Macclesfield (Northern Region)
- Zullo & Holland, Nottingham (Northern Region)
- Baa Baa Hair, Northampton (Midland Region)
- Aesthetics, Solihull (Midland Region)
Male Expert Finalists
- The Chapel, Tunbridge Wells (Southern Region)
- Essensuals, Billericay (Southern Region)
- The Cutting Room, Western Favell (Midland Region)
- Baa Baa Hair, Northampton (Midland Region)
More Redken Urban Talent
