INFEATURE
WINNERS CIRCLE
WE TALK TO THE WINNERS OF THE LIVE HAIR FESTIVAL COMPETITIONS ACROSS EDITORIAL, COLOUR, MEN’S AND TEAM CATEGORIES OF TALENT, TO GAIN THEIR INSIGHTS INTO THEIR JOURNEYS, COMPETING LIVE AND, OF COURSE, THE BEAUTY OF THE WIN.
EDITORIAL GLAM SLAM IN: WHAT INSPIRES YOU EDITORIALLY? PJG: The Haute Couture collections of Dior, Chanel or Alexander McQueen to name a few. I draw particular inspiration from technically advanced and innovative work.
PAUL JAMES GRAHAM, PAUL & PAUL SALON INSTYLE: TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A HAIRDRESSER. Paul James Graham: I’m the Co-Owner of Paul & Paul Salon on the Gold Coast. I’ve been hairdressing for almost 20 years and still love it. IN: WHY DID YOU ENTER THE HAIR FESTIVAL COMPETITIONS? PJG: For the opportunity to bring home an award! The Hair Festival competitions are a great platform for exposure and showcasing your creativity and winning a trophy goes a long way in the promotion of my career and salon business. IN: WHAT DID IT MEAN TO YOU TO WIN? PJG: Winning at this year’s competition was both exciting and satisfying. A lot of prep work goes into creating a total look, so it meant a lot to me to see that hard work pay off. 74 INSTYLE
IN: TELL US ABOUT YOUR WINNING LOOK? PJG: My winning entry was a look pulled from my Australian Hair Industry Awards (Creative) Avant Garde Finalist collection titled ‘Le Bijou De Julie’. Visually I aspired for that elevated Haute Couture Look, something you’d see on the runway in Paris.
IN: WHAT IS YOUR TOP TIP FOR LIVE COMPETITIONS? PJG: Arrive prepared. Make sure you know exactly what you’re doing and that you can complete the look perfectly in the time allocated. Engage the talents of a runway model or someone who could be one. In a live competition your entire look is judged head to toe in person. You will likely fare better with a model who can best sell your look on stage and when walking the runway. IN: WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EDITORIAL TECHNIQUE? PJG: Hair ornamentation that I sew into the hair.
