Hey! Some of you may have seen my blogs before but every now and again I like to share my experiences with you. This time, I want to tell you all about my part in the L'Oreal Colour Trophy Tour in April.
I've been part of the ID Artist program for the last two years. For those of you that don't know, it is probably the most sought after program in the UK. We are put together by auditioning to a panel of judges in a sort of X Factor fashion and then L'Oreal pick those of us that they think are up-and-coming talents and put us through our paces. For two years, I have had the most amazing training with top industry stylists such as Guy Kremer, Steve Rowbottom, Mark Woolley, Katherine Dartnell (May), Tim Hartley and many more. During our time with them, we put on Catwalk showcases showing the industry's up coming trends for each season and get lots of opportunites to do platform work. I've also managed to work at LFW and done lots of photo shoots using every bit of knowledge I have gained to help me on my way.
The culmination of this fantastic experience was for the 2nd years to work backstage doing the hair for the tour. You can imagine how excited we were to find out, especially when they told us we were going to the Barcelona academy to do the briefing for it!!
So heres a look at what we did...
That is me (far left) with Emma & Kelly on our way to Barca for our briefing!
The beautiful Loreal academy - Barcelona.
So, we arrived at the academy and were treated to an evening of inspiration with Tina Farey from Rush who had put the concepts together for what we were going to do for the tour, Paul Dennison from Ken Picton who was the colourist, and clothes stylist Graham Cruz. We were shown mood boards then models. The show was split into two sections: ART & RESTRAINT. Straight away, we all knew which section appealed to us as indivduals. Personally, I liked the restraint section. Restraint was all about slick ponys, tight braids and lots of pvc and leather with block colours on the hair and bolts used to attach hair pieces. This was definitely my favourite! Don't get me wrong it wasn't about bondage persay, but the looks had to have that feeling of restraint behind them.
Art was a softer more fun approach, with hair reflecting a sporty, young look with much softer colour palettes and the clothes being bright and colourful.
RESTRAINT
ART
After an exciting evening, the next day we were put to work to create our looks. The team was split up into two groups, each would do 4 shows across the country, so we needed to gel as a team to do a good job.
The academy was in chaos. Imagine 30 stylists with only three tables, not enough plugs, and not enough room to move haha! It was a perfect setting to get everyone used to working in a backstage environment because at times, you don't have room or the right equipment but you still have a job to do, so somehow, you just do it!
HERE WE ARE HAVE A TEAM BRIEF!
After 4 days in Barcelona and having had a brilliant time, we were all ready to roll!
And so it began!
Our teams had 4 venues in 4 days ours were going to be Belfast, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester. The journey began on the Sunday with a 4am start to get to Gatwick airport in time for the flight.
The flight was delayed!!! Ahhhh up early, not happy! However, it was the best thing that could have happened. Tina was on the same flight as most of the team so we able to use the time there to sit and talk about exactly what we were going to do. Tina was great because she let us all have an input into the looks and was so easy to get on with; it must be a bit scary putting your concepts into the hands of stylists that she doesn't normally work with so we wanted to do her proud and I think we did.
The tour itself is a huge operation, like a travelling circus really. There, the production team who work 22 hour days to get the venues ready for the competition, the show and the social areas. Then there were the hair team (us) make-up, wardrobe. Then they have to feed and water us all, it was very surreal to be travelling to a different city every day it became so that we didn't know what day it was or even where we were haha!
Here's me who, at 5'7, am not considered short until I stand next to the beautiful Rafeally Xavier!
A closer look at the look I re-created for the tour.
Photobooth fun after our first show in Belfast! The northern team: Myself, Lisa Kennedy, Katie Morse, Kelly May, Natalie Thomas, Emma Hansford, Jo Gossage, Hayley Edwards. With Shauna Mcauley and Tina Farey.
Haha I love this pic. Rafy was bored so she decided to do my hair instead. Bless her!
Shot from the catwalk.
Another close up of a RESTRAINT model worked on by myself, Natalie Thomas and Jo Gossage.
ART section model by Lisa Kennedy.
Katie Morse working on her model for RESTRAINT.
BACKSTAGE LINE UP
AND FINALLY, A GREAT PHOT TAKEN BY OUR VERY OWN LISA KENNEDY
I have to say, this was an experience of a lifetime. I've had the pleasure of working with some amazing people and have made some lifelong friends. Sad to say, my time with ID is now over but watch this space because there's more to come!!
Thanks for reading!
- Natasha Rose
