Hair show delivers

As early as 8:30 am “door crashers” were lined up at the venue of the eighth annual trade show and exhibitions put on by the National Association of Hairdressing and Cosmetologists (NAHC) on Sunday, Nov 9.

The exhibition and trade show lived up to its theme, “Image 2003–Total beauty”; patrons were able to find from a hairpin to an anklet.

“We are thinking from head to toe,” Marcia Lengard, public relations manager for NAHC, said. “If your hair is looking good and your face isn’t, you are not going to be comfortable. When you look in that mirror you must see total beauty, and remember that the beauty outside reflects what is on the inside.”

From one corner to the next of the show room there was Jewellery, clothing, health food, nails products, hair products and accessories, make-up, perfume and skin care products available at competitive prices. A number of distributor and manufacturers were able to showcase their products, such as Soft Sheen, Isoplus, Libresse and Optimum.

Patrons also were able to obtain advice and referrals from dermatologists and other experts.

Local Government Minister Portia Simpson Miller, who kicked off the trade show and exhibition, commended the NAHC on their work in hospitals, schools and homes of safety. She said that over the years NAHC had worked hard to promote and protect the industry.

“Thank you for providing us with the products to highlight our God-given beauty and for offering trade seminars to ensure the safe and most effective use of products,” Minister Simpson said.

At the same time the hair show and styling competition segment of the trade show carried the audience through a journey of wild and funky hairstyles that teased their imagination. There were two categories–the fantasy and formal.

There were hairstyles depicting an ackee tree, flowers basket, a complete hair suit that consisted of a skirt a bikini top and a hat, cauliflower, fruit basket and a chandelier and many other out of control styles.

All Woman spoke with Zwardie Lowe from Sylvia’s Salon, the winner for the fantasy category of the hair competition. His love of coconut trees was what inspired his creation, he said.

His style came to life by using braided synthetic hair to make the tree trunk and using spritz (holding spray) to stiffen it and the leaves. The coconuts were made from hair and decorated with beads.

Stephanie Watkins from “Top o Top” hair salon took home trophies for her “Signal de Plane” creation that received second place and “Little Mermaid” that placed third. She said the idea for her creations popped into her head when she was browsing through an Air Jamaica brochure. For the “signal de plane”, she melted and formed synthetic hair to a base that she made, then added the various colours to the plane. The little mermaid style, she said, took three days to complete. Watkins used crimped hair for the body and holding spray to stiffen the trunks of the coconut tree on the top of the model’s head.

Meanwhile, Champs models showcased the resort line titled, “Illance” – designed by Heather Laine. Her designs, which were made from light, high quality cotton, came in the form of totally white pants, shorts, skirts, suits and dresses.

There was also a variety of exciting, colourful tie die pieces, while the kids were clad in solid colours in both tops and bottoms.

The women in the audience were brought to their feet when they set eyes on the male models that boasted their micro trunks.

The patch creations by Ronald Davis were equally exciting. He described them as being crazy and X-rated. He sewed squares of different types of jean fabric together to make pants, jackets and skirts.