EDITORIAL

It's that time of the year again. The North American Hairdressing Awards Ceremony or NAHA is a mere three weeks away! Before we kick off the celebration, get to know our finalists for this year's competition. These uber-talented stylists invested considerable time, talent and energy into their entries. CLICK the name of the Editorial finalist (Maryl Velbeck, Dennis Cooper, Charlie Price, Michael Albor and Sherri Jessee) you would like to meet.

Don't forget to tune in on July 14, 2013 at 10pm EST for the EXCLUSIVE live broadcast of the 2013 NAHA Awards Gala at modernsalon.com/naha. And be sure to join the conversations on twitter with the hashtag #nahalive.


Meet the NAHA Finalists: EDITORIAL                               MARYL VELBECK

                                             Maryl V. Salon

What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you tell/call first?

"The first thing I did when I saw my work on the NAHA finalist video was yell 'I made it' really loud, scaring my low-key neighbors next door, who were outside within earshot at the time. The next thing I did was call the photographer, who shot the editorial that was nominated; my husband H2Wu. I left him a message, as he was on an underwater photo /video shoot and couldn’t really come to the phone at the time. I don’t think there is cell reception underwater in the Pacific Ocean. When he came home, we hugged and yelled together 'You/I made it! You/I made it!' I then proceeded to proudly post the NAHA video and Modern Salon mention on my Facebook page."

Describe your inspiration, vision, and theme for your NAHA entry.

"The magazine in which the editorial appeared had a 'Vivid Summer' concept for that particular month- The piece played off of the vivid and luscious bright colors in clothing, make-up and hair colors that were hot last summer. The magazine specifically wanted us to do an underwater photoshoot, one of my hairdressing specialties"

How has entering NAHA made you a better hairdresser?

"I am truly honored to say that this is my third NAHA nomination, all having been editorial stylist nominations. With every nomination, I feel I have come a long way with my technical competition hairdressing skills. I always have a potential NAHA entry in the back of my mind when I am designing the hair for any magazine editorial, whether on land or under water.  I also feel proud to have the unique distinction of being the only underwater hairstylist in the NAHA competition overall."

What is (and when was) the most NAHA – worthy work that you have ever created for an actual paying client?

Meet the NAHA Finalists: EDITORIAL "My most NAHA-worthy paying client was a hair product company from Asia who hired our team; myself, photographer H2Wu  and brilliant make-up artist, Mirielle Bertrand, for a commercial advertising piece specifically done under water- The model’s hair is a fabrication I made, so as the hair would float and convey the catch phrase 'Light as a feather.' The advertisement ran for two years, I think I achieved my goal"

What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?

"The first time I entered NAHA and was nominated was 2008, then again in 2009. This year my huge inspiration is commercial/beauty/ underwater/undersea photographer and my husband H2Wu. He actually is the person whom I am most thankful to for me becoming a commercial hairstylist. He taught me how to take my hair work beyond the salon and into the commercial realm, as there is a big difference in expectation and expertise between what I do behind the chair in my salon, and on the set with a photo/ film shoot."

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Meet the NAHA Finalists: EDITORIAL                                

                              DENNIS COOPER

                                  Square Colour Salon and Spa

What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you tell/call first?

"I was sitting on the couch with my laptop on my lap and phone by my side. I opened up the PBA website and the first image I saw was mine. I sat there in disbelief, mouth open, then I literally started to shake with excitement. I trembled continuously for about an hour. The very first person I called was Barb Garcia-Grove, the owner of Square Salon, where I work. I had the front desk tell her to come to the phone and that it was very important. I told Barb 'I did it!' In which she replied, 'Did what?' I smiled and said, 'Barb, I'm a finalist in NAHA, can you believe it?!' She screamed."

Describe your inspiration, vision, and theme for your NAHA entry.

"The inspiration was a classic yet modern take on 40's hair. Imagine Rita Hayworth and Veronica Lake."

How has entering NAHA made you a better hairdresser?

"Entering NAHA has not only made me a better hairdresser, but a better person. It has pushed me creatively but most importantly it has pushed me through my fears and self doubt."

What is (and when was) the most NAHA – worthy work that you have ever created for an actual paying client?

"I have many clients that allow me to dress their hair for events. But one in particular, Audra Baldwin, is truly my muse. She pushes me creatively when it comes to dressing her hair."

What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?

"I first heard of NAHA in beauty school 22-years-ago. My first year as a stylist I entered NAHA. I believe it was the Avant Garde category. I didn't make it to the finals, but I keep that image framed in my bedroom as a constant source for inspiration. The stylist who gave me the foundation and who propelled me in this direction is Dennie Pasion. She is an amazing talent and my first mentor."

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Meet the NAHA Finalists: EDITORIAL                                    

 

                            CHARLIE PRICE

                                             Halo Salon

What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you tell/call first?

"I always get a bit lightheaded. It's a narcotic feeling, the best buzz, better than three glasses of chardonnay. I screamed in the salon like a drag queen at a sports bar, so the first people I told were a room full of people who could have cared less."

Describe your inspiration, vision and theme for your NAHA entry.

"My contemporary classic and hairstylist of the year entries are called "jazz.” I wanted the girls to look like they were in a subterranean night club in New York or Paris. The master and editorial collections are called "the dark arts" and are edgy, sexy and laced with a punk/S&M vibe, which is a recurring theme in my work."

How has entering NAHA made you a better hairdresser?

"First of all, it's fun to do photo shoots. It forced me to improve, to hone my skills and develop my eye. Once the judges have spoken, you know definitively if a shoot works or not"

What is (and when was) the most NAHA-worthy work you have ever created for an actual paying client?

"No way! My clients are prim and proper fancy ladies. I can't reveal their identities, we have written agreements."

What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?

"I first entered in the early 1990's. I wanted to be cool like my mentor Van Council. Unfortunately, it took until 2002 to get my first nomination and win, but happily ever since, I've been as addicted to NAHA as Nancy Grace is to cheap barrettes."

 

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Meet the NAHA Finalists: EDITORIAL                              

                            MICHAEL ALBOR

                                        The Loft Salon

What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you tell/call first?

"On the day of the announcements my salon staff played a prank on me! They hid my phone, even though I could hear it going off from people calling to congratulate me. So I had no idea what I got nominated for until they brought in balloons and candy."

Describe your inspiration, vision and theme for your NAHA entry.

"I was lucky enough to be hired on this amazing team by my friends at the Improper Bostonian to participate in this bridal shoot, and through their ideas on clothing and sets I started thinking about really classic beauty hair that doesn’t overshadow the untraditional wedding dresses. It was such a great team to be working with. It’s easy to do great hair when you have a photographer like Bob Packert and a producer like Lydia Santangelo."

How has entering NAHA made you a better hairdresser?

"Being a part of NAHA has reinforced that I would love to inspire hairstylists to get back to the basics of beauty: clean cuts, beautiful color and the appearance of healthy hair by educating clients on the use of professional hair care products. I would love to be an inspirational leader to young professionals in the salon industry, as well as revolutionize the perception of the industry from the inside out." 

What is (and when was) the most NAHA-worthy work you have ever created for an actual paying client?

"I put a Versace plate in my friend’s updo so that she could be a 'fashion plate' for a masquerade party." 

What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?

"My first entry was in 2006, and I’m just excited now as I was then:  It never gets old. I started my career in my hometown of Miami, Florida as a session hair artist and got hooked while working with my friend Rocky Lyons at Lyons Salon. Throughout my entire career I’ve been so lucky to have been fortunate enough to work with amazingly talented and supportive people, and now is no exception."

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Meet the NAHA Finalists: EDITORIAL

                                           

                               SHERRI JESSEE

                                              Sherri's Salon

What did you do when you found out you were a NAHA 2013 finalist? Who did you call/tell first?

"As I was viewing the video, before my name had a chance to come up, the congratulatory texts and emails began to come in. My first email was to congratulate the members of my team. I am so thankful for them as they work with me in the salon and also help me prepare and pack up for photoshoots and educational events on the road."

Describe your inspiration, vision and theme for your NAHA entry.

"Inspiration was drawn from anticipating the release of Baz Luhrmann’s 3-D movie inspired by the F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book, 'The Great Gatsby', starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. The theme was recommended to me a few years ago by my mentor, Helen Oppenhiem. The timing is perfect for my collection as the movie is just now being released and 1920's style is a hot fashion topic."

How has entering NAHA made you a better hairdresser?

"It has encouraged me to think in terms of creating a themed collection with a full cast of characters. I am forever researching, practicing, gathering supplies and planning to create the next great collection. I truly dream about hair and makeup. I am excited to see the new opportunities that will be made available to my ever growing career by being a NAHA finalist."

MS: What is (and when was) the most NAHA-worthy work you have ever created for an actual paying client?

Meet the NAHA Finalists: EDITORIAL "After being the lead hairstylist for Anna Francesca's Couture Collection at New York Fashion Week this year, I had the honor of creating a collection with her fashions. Attached you will see a few images from that amazing shoot."

MS: What year did you first enter NAHA? Who helped or inspired you?

"Taking the MODERN SALON ARTIST SESSION changed the path of my career. I will forever be grateful to Maggie Mulhern-the knowledge gained in those sessions helped to develop my skills as an editorial hair and makeup artist."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VIEW THEIR ENTIRE COLLECTION BELOW

MEET THE NAHA FINALIST: Maryl Velbeck/Editorial
MEET THE NAHA FINALIST: Dennis Cooper/Editorial
MEET THE NAHA FINALIST: Charlie Price/Editorial
MEET THE NAHA FINALIST: Michael Albor/Editorial
MEET THE NAHA FINALIST: Sherri Jessee/Editorial

 

 

 

 

 

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