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SEARCHThe United Nations might want to tap into the goodwill American Crew has created with their All-Star Challenge in Lisbon, Portugal.
DAVID RACCUGLIA BEHIND THE CAMERA
The United Nations might want to tap into the goodwill American Crew has created with their All-Star Challenge in Lisbon, Portugal. Despite language and cultural differences, 14 country finalists have come together to share their passion for hairdressing and express themselves through their work during two days of photo shoots that will determine which hairdresser will leave with the title of All-Star Global Champion on Monday night.
In a studio tucked away in a Lisbon neighborhood, photo shoots took place on two days, the group of hairdressers divided in half. They picked numbers to determine their turn in choosing a model.
On the first day, American Crew Creative Director Craig Hanson addressed them while country managers interpreted. "You will pick one photo from the shoot that you think best conveys your story," explained Hanson. "Then we print that photo and that is what we judge you on."
Then it was upstairs to cut and style during their alloted time, a strict 45 minutes. Last year's champion and acting as a judge for this year's competition, Pedro José Muñoz of Palma de Mallorca, Spain was there to observe their technical skills but also to be a positive, supportive presence.
When time was called, it was clippers off, shears and combs down, and on to wardrobe. Then hairdresser and model stepped on set with men's grooming visionary, American Crew founder and accomplished photographer, David Raccuglia.
A hairdresser himself, Raccuglia's understanding of their craft meant they didn't need to direct the shoot; he knew what they needed to show their work at its best so they could concentrate their attention on their model and the monitor, watching their vision take shape.
Competitors are judged on different criteria including:
Structure and Finish--Their technique, their haircut, their finish, their artistic eye
Representation of American Crew--Is this something American Crew would share. does it speak to today's current trends?
Originality--Art direction, wardrobe, photography
The work that emerged was a testament to their creativty and to the collaborative environment American Crew fostered on the set. While second-guessing is inevitable, once the shoot was wrapped, a collective sigh was heaved and 14 masculine, clean, compelling and timeless images were created.
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