A FLAiR FOR AVANT GARDE By Paul Graham, 2021 AHIA Creative Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year
When you ask the internet, why is Avant Garde significant? The answer is quite clear, Avant Garde pushes the boundaries of what is accepted as the norm. This explanation perfectly sums up why I am drawn to Avant Garde hairdressing and how this has led to a very satisfying and financially rewarding hairdressing career. When I was 21, I came to the conclusion that I really wanted to become a hairdresser. I had dabbled in various other pursuits, but I could see the career opportunities hairdressing presented and how this industry would satisfy the artist in me. That being said, I was reluctant to leave financial stability behind to become a 1st year apprentice so, I needed to sort out other ways at succeeding in my goal. I did my research and discovered that the most coveted institute in gaining your hairdressing qualification at the time was the Wynne-Hoelscher Academy in Brisbane. I visited the college on an open day and didn’t want to leave, the college offered a full-time fast track course at a cost of around $14,000, but also offered one lucky student a full scholarship every year. That’s when I knew I was going to become a hairdresser! I was going to win that scholarship, and I did. Part of my scholarship was an all-expenses paid trip to Hair Expo in Sydney where I was first introduced to the world of competitive hairdressing and the importance it played on career and business. I remember seeing all the photographic collections and being blown away by the sheer genius of them all. Since then, I’ve immersed myself in lots of competition work.
“NOT ALL IMPORTANT MESSAGES NEED BE DRAMATIC OR IMPOSING, SOMETIMES ALL YOU NEED IS A LITTLE FLAIR.”
The reason why I’m sharing this story is because over the years I’ve heard many hairdressers say “I can’t afford to compete in the hairdressing competitions because the people that win them spend tens of thousands of dollars” so they don’t even dare try. I feel certain that this is true for some, but it certainly wasn’t the case for me. I set about entering competitions as a creative outlet, to unleash the artist within me, but also to give my career an edge. I learnt quickly that potential
