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GLITTERING SPECTACLEModels sporting innovative hair styles

Are Indian hairdressers and hair stylists ready to compete with the best internationally? That was the question of the evening at the Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Extravaganza 2008 held recently at the Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium.

The show, which featured over 50 models walking the ramp in different hair styles, colours, cuts and make-up, was presented by the Association of Hairdressers & Beauticians of India (H & B India) to celebrate its first anniversary.

“I personally think Indian hairdressers and beauticians are ready for the big stage,” said Nayana Karunaratne, Asia zone president of the World Hairdressers Association (Organisation Mondiale Coiffure or OMC), mentioning that India would be hosting the Asia Cup 2009 and bidding to host HairWorld 2012, both organised by the OMC.

“Ours is a country with a huge amount of talent. I would love to see our stylists compete in these international contests,” said Blossom Kochchar, president of the National Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (NHBA).

However, as a demonstration of the strides Indian hair stylists have made, the Hair Extravaganza, choreographed by Geraldine Bandaranaike, was only a partial success. A couple of rounds were beautifully conceived and executed, while a few others left a lot to be desired.

For example, the first round, “Cuts and Colours” extensively featured rather garish shades of red and blue on the hair, and they simply didn’t gel (pardon the pun) with the shiny, girly dresses the models wore or their skin colour. The round seemed to have no cohesive theme — the song chosen, ‘Good Morning Baltimore’ from Hairspray, for example, didn’t fit with the outfits or the colours used.

The Indian bridal wear round suffered from the same lack — one model had flowers piled on high on the crown of the head and all the way down the plait, while the others just seemed to have the hair coiled on top in no particular form or design. Add in the excessive facial glitter and half-hearted dancing by the models, and this round just came across as half-baked.

The “Phantom of the Opera” round, on the other hand, got it all right. The dramatic title song of the famous musical was matched perfectly with the graceful gowns and equally graceful choreography. And the elegant upswept hair dos were just right for the glittering, mysterious masks and hair ornaments they wore.

The “Fantasy” round was striking and innovative, with enormous headdresses, and dramatic make-up and hair styles inspired by elements of Nature. There was the confection inspired by water accompanied by long, wild flowing locks and the one of fire in burnished gold and tones of red — all arresting and quite impressive.

On the whole, the show was a glittering spectacle that, while far from perfect, definitely held promise for the future of hairdressing in India.

DIVYA KUMAR

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