The Southland Times

Local salon style fashion models

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R & Co hairdresse­rs in Centre Bush has just returned from a weekend in Auckland styling models for an Augustine fashion show. A boutique hairdressi­ng salon, located in the heart of the Centre Bush township that enjoys a tranquil setting, R & Co Hairdresse­rs is owned and operated by experience­d senior hairdresse­r Rachelle Cummings.

She shares her flair and passion for the trade with her team Rahera (apprentice) and Sarah (senior stylist) who between them can boast 39 years in the industry.

‘‘Hairdressi­ng has been my only profession and only passion, so opening the salon was a natural progressio­n,’’ Rachelle says.

‘‘I’ve always loved training apprentice­s and growing our industry, so taking on Rahera as an apprentice was important to me, as we progressed and grew, Sarah joined us over a year ago.’’

As a Matrix Salon and one of their top performers in the region, Rachelle was recently approached by the director of Matrix to ask if R & CO Hairdresse­rs would be keen to be a part of some of the shows they were directing. The team jumped at the chance, and took part in an Augustine Fashion Show on the weekend of September 1.

‘‘We started the day with ‘bootcamp’ at the Loreal academy in Auckland for a crash course in the looks the designers wanted for their hair, then on to the town hall for the two shows we were a part of,’’ says Rachelle.

‘‘Pia Boutique was first then Augustine straight after. We were part of a team of 11 hairdresse­rs and had around 30 models per show. Backstage is pretty hectic coordinati­ng hair, make-up, nails, and most of the models have many outfit changes where we need to fix their hair up in between.’’

Rachelle says the experience was fantastic.

‘‘It was an amazing experience for us, totally different to our day-to-day salon life,’’ she says.

‘‘We loved that this year there were models from all walks of life included, there were plus size, special needs, kids and even a model in wheel chair involved. Having Kelly Coe the designer of Augustine sitting in my chair was a highlight as she is very humble and a busy mother of three.’’

Rachelle and the team are keen to be involved again when the opportunit­y arises.

 ?? Photo: SUPPLIED. ?? Rachelle, Rahara and Sarah.
Photo: SUPPLIED. Rachelle, Rahara and Sarah.

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