Last week, Hairdressing students were given the chance to work with a global brand and showcase their work to local industry professionals.
Affinage, a global hair brand and their artistic team, Colour Rebels, wanted to work with Shrewsbury Colleges Group to showcase the latest products and give students some work experience. The team of six travel all over Europe for shows, including Rome, Slovakia, Germany, Holland and more.
The Colour Rebels set up in the College’s hair salon first thing on October 8 morning and with the students help, transformed five model’s hair with vibrant and funky colouring products. The Level 3 Advanced Hairdressing students assisted for the whole day and gained real-world experience. They got the chance to see what life could be like once they have gained their qualification and progressed into the industry.
Chloe Williams, a Level 3 Advanced Hairdressing student, from Shrewsbury said: “It has been amazing working with the Colour Rebels today. We got to do the pre-shampooing, remove colours and they even gave us the task of creating an afro on one of their models using hair pins and straighteners. The build-up to the show has been so exciting, watching the Colour Rebels doing different techniques and picking up new skills. I’ve gained some great experience working with professionals and working in a team – this will all look great when I apply for a job in a salon after College.”
On the Monday evening local salon owners and employees filled Clayton Hall at Shrewsbury Colleges Group’s London Road Campus to see the final outcome of the days work. The Colour Rebels talked through each style on the five models and the presentation came to a close with a catwalk and the chance to see the artistic work up-close.
Colour Rebel team member, Let Lew, who has worked on photoshoots for Italian Vogue, said: “The students from the College have been brilliant. They created the afro on our model in an hour and a half – that normally takes me a whole day! They got stuck in and followed instruction well.”
Sarah Solomon Jones, UK and Ireland Technical Educator said: “Shrewsbury Colleges Group has been fantastic – as a facility and with the student’s assistance. Anybody in the local area, who is thinking of going into hairdressing should come here. The salon set-up is perfect and a great place for students and apprentices to learn.”
Jude McCormick, Hairdressing Teacher, said: ”This has been a brilliant opportunity for our Level 3 students. Interacting with hair professionals and watching them work will teach them advanced skills that they can take into their careers after College. Affinage is such a well-known brand, so it is amazing that the students got to participate behind the scenes with such high profile stylists.
“I am so proud of all the hard-work that the students put in on Monday. They listened, interacted and were extremely motivated. Seeing the model’s final looks just proved how well they had worked.”
To find out more about courses at Shrewsbury Colleges Group, come to an Open Evening, on 16 and 24 October and 8 November, from 5-8pm or call 01743 342441