College hair stylists are gearing up for title bid
WINNING hair stylists are eyeing a national hat-trick for Loughborough College.
After scooping first place in a college head-to-head, four students are a step closer to competing at the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists 2020 national final – and taking a top spot for Loughborough College for the third year in a row.
Natasha Gilbert was judged best in the barbering category while Briony Duffy and Abbie Hayes received the accolade for, respectively, Blow Dry and Evening Style. Imogen Fletcher led the Fantasy field with her creation.
The quartet are hoping to follow in the footsteps of former AHT prize winners and Loughborough College students Hollie Guest and Emma Sessions. Emma was awarded the 2018 national ‘Fantasy’ title and went on to work for US television.
Under the watchful eye of judges Chris O’Donnell, business development executive at Affinage Salon Professional and
Clare Mee, former college student and now a stylist at Loughborough’s Hair Magic, students were marked on inspiration and creativity, degree of difficulty and clean finish, neatness and balance.
“It is the same marking and timings as students can expect at the regional and national AHT finals. They felt under pressure to be scrutinised so closely and to produce results in only half an hour but it is great preparation for what is to come,” said Loughborough College hairdressing lead Karen Driscoll.
“Every student did such a professional job - and it was particularly notable that barbering is brand new to the college so the competitors in that category are only ten weeks into their course. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the students were all eager to get feedback from the judges afterwards. Now we’ll be working with all four winners to prepare them for the regional finals in February.”