Tracey’s creations put her in line for top styling award
A DERBYSHIRE hairdresser has been shortlisted for a top prize after impressing with her striking designs.
Tracey Devine Smith, from Belper, has wowed the judges at the HJ British Hairdressing Awards with her creative skills and ability with cutting and colouring.
The 50-year-old, who runs a salon in the town called French & Ivi with her daughter, has been nominated for two awards – Midlands Hairdresser of the Year and Men’s Hairdresser of the Year.
The stylist says she is overjoyed to have been recognised after only opening her new salon in the town this year after moving from Scotland.
“It’s been an amazing and very challenging year to open a new business in the pandemic,” she said.
“It’s going really well and we’ve had a great response from the public.
“We’re completely settled here and are putting roots down.”
Tracey says she thinks her styles stand out from the crowd because of the approach she takes when creating them.
“I have quite a different take on hair – it’s a lot more artistic for me,” she said. “It’s all about what you do in the salon but also trying to create something that’s telling a story.
“I take inspiration from fashion. I put together the plan and the concept, do it and then have a photographer shoot it.
“I never give up, if you work hard and are passionate about something you can achieve anything.”
She added that she was thrilled to be nominated for the two awards in the competition, which allowed her to submit four hair images of her existing work to showcase her skills. “Through these awards it’s wonderful to see the whole community pull together to inspire each other,” she said.
“These awards prove that we are strong and resilient and that our creativity cannot be dampened.
“I’m thrilled to be nominated as there are many amazing hairdressers in my region.”
Jayne Lewis-Orr, executive director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, said Tracey had impressed the judges. “To be named as a finalist in the Midlands Hairdresser of Year category is a huge achievement, and it’s inspiring to see the power of creativity and their exceptional work,” she said. “Tracey’s hairstyling demonstrated fantastic skill and vision, and rightly gives her the acknowledgement as one of the UK’s best hairdressers.”
She will now have to submit two more examples of her work for the judges to look at before they will decide who out of her and five other nominees, is the winner. HJ’s British Hair Dressing Awards, which is sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, will take place on November 30.