Win for hair designer

Press, 21 July 1988, Page 7

Win for hair designer

By

PENISUITI

The well-known Christchurch hair designer, Carl Watkins, has won the South Island section of the Schwarzkopf Hairdresser of the Year award at Auckland’s Sheraton Hotel.

His winning submission was named Romantic Bubblecurls. The model’s hair was made into precise curls gathered at the crown, creating a “chic look,” according the “The Press” columnist, Rosaleen McCarroll, and exuding the air of a “60s sophisticate.” Mr Watkins said his approach was to match commercial appeal with creativity. But function did not necessarily follow form, he said. "It’s not really functional — it’s an evening style, elegant and classy, that can only be done in a salon.” Paul Huege de Serville, of Auckland, won the over-all award.

In achieving his winning look, Mr Watkins used a cast of top-flight local professionals — a model, Nicole Sampson, a clothes designer, Barbara Lee, a model agency director, Kirsty Lay, and a

photographer, Euan Sarginson.

Mr Watkins attributes his success to their input and would like the same team next year. After nine years in the industry, and with a host of national awards and trophies displayed in his salon, Ruben Blades, Mr Watkins’ enthusiasm is still growing. He aims for international exposure by supplying photographs of his work to prestigious English publications such as “Passion” and “Hairdressing Journal International.”

The over-all winner has had photographs published in overseas magazines, and Mr Watkins believes this visibility and experience is what gave him the edge. The Schwarzkopf award, the first of its kind in New Zealand, dispensed with the normal cutting competition. Instead, nominees sent a resume and three colour slides of their work to a panel which judged the submissions according to make-up, styling, commercial appeal and the nominee’s contribution and commitment to the industry.