Goldwell Trend Zoom in Valencia

More importantly, it was the site of the most recent GOLDWELL TREND ZOOM, one of the most exciting international events in our industry.

The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. The site of THE GOLDWELL TREND ZOOM opening party! (photos by Jimmy Tucci for Snaps)

A magnificent fountain in the center of Valencia, Spain (photos by Jimmy Tucci for Snaps)

2500 hair professionals and Goldwell enthusiasts from 42 countries descended on Valencia last week to celebrate, learn, preview the 2009 collection and more importantly, witness the culmination of the event: see who won the TREND ZOOM COLOR CHALLENGE!

Thousands of entries were narrowed down to 70 finalists from 26 countries.  The finalists and their models were invited to the weekend event to recreate their winning look in just three hours. These looks were then judged by 8 international judges (I was one!)

Maggie, as judge, checking out one of her favorite looks. (photos by Jimmy Tucci for Snaps)

The whole judging thing is always quite interesting. I've judged literally HUNDREDS of photo and live events over the past twenty plus years…including a Miss Teen New Jersey competition! I take it quite seriously as do most of the judges I've encountered.  I am planning on writing an article for Modern Salon Magazine on the DO'S AND DON'TS of photo competitions. 

Okay…I may not have picked the winners for this one (normally I am right on target), but all the judges admitted it was a tough competition. We had to sort through 70 CREATIVE, INTERESTING, TECHNICALLY PRECISE AND BEAUTIFUL looks. Really, they were all very impressive. The winners represented three categories: Ken Hong Kok Yien from Singapore, Ioana Ecard from Germany and Peter Wu from Taiwan.

The winners: Ken Hong Kok Yien from Singapore, Ioana Ecard from Germany and Peter Wu from Taiwan.

Peter Wu from Taiwan won the Partner category with this look.

Ken Hong Kok Yien from Singapore  won the Creative Category with this image.

Ioana Ecard from Germany won the Elumen category with this look.

Kok Yien, Ecard and Wu are invited to work with the Goldwell style team to create the new collection to be presented at the next GOLDWELL TREND ZOOM for presentation in Las Vegas (fall, 2009).  Meanwhile, it's not too late to sharpen up your shears, mix up some cool color and take several GREAT pictures to enter the next CHALLENGE!  Stay tuned to www.goldwell-northamerica.com for more info.