Interpreting a trend—imagined by someone else—can be challenging, but if that trend fits into your own aesthetic, the results can be spectacular.

The annual Wella Professionals TrendVision Awards offers a platform for creativity where seasoned pros and up-and-comers compete in one of three categories: Color Vision, Creative Vision and Student. Artists use the competition to flex their creative muscles and showcase their talents while sharing their interpretations of the annual trends, created by the winners from the previous year.

The early stages of the national event, North American TrendVision Awards (NATVA) begin with a photo competition and regional competitions, which ultimately lead to a grand event where finalists present their models to a judging panel and a live audience.

More than 1,200 hairdressers entered the 2016 NATVA competition and 36 finalists from the U.S. and Canada were selected to compete for gold, silver and bronze in Las Vegas. The U.S. winners were Cena Jordan for Color Vision, Alice Sadoyan for Creative Vision and Megan Hertel for Student.

MODERN invited Jordan, Sadoyan and Hertel to the Water Street Studio in New York City to share their interpretations of the 2017 trends, introduced at International TrendVision held this fall in Barcelona, Spain.

The artists collaborated on two models, demonstrating their fresh translations from the new collections: Optical Illusion for spring/summer and Past Forward for autumn/winter.

Optical Illusion

The Optical Illusion trend encourages colorists to become true sculptors, using shape and color to create three-dimensional illusions within the finish. U.S. Creative Vision winner Alice Sadoyan says this trend is “about letting the brave, bold inner self out.” The colors and silhouettes in this collection range from real to surreal and contouring plays a key role. Light and shadow are used to transform the shape of the hair. The colors in this trend include sandy beige blonde, volcanic black, dark heather, sienna red, pewter and golden pure sunshine. Color is used to sharpen and pull focus to key features while softening and blending imperfections. The goal is to go beyond standard beauty and to personalize the look for each client.

“We transform people every day and this trend says a lot about how we transform them—enhancing what is already beautiful,” says Cena Jordan, U.S. Color Vision winner. “I think a lot of U.S. hairdressers have been doing cool colors for quite some time and are ready for a change.”

Newly licensed Megan Hertel adds that it goes beyond hair for her. “I love the color palette and the creativity of placement in the hair and that the illusion is continued with makeup and wardrobe.”

Scroll through the slideshow above for the Optical Illusion how-to!

Past Forward

The Past Forward trend derives from reinterpreting looks from the past with seemingly random flaws to create an imperfect finish. The new looks are described as “premium humble: emotional, uncomplicated, effortless yet still sophisticated.” The simple silhouettes offer a perfect canvas for the muted color palette of cool-based, oxidized metals, patina-layered glosses and color washes. It’s the softened version of the intense colors found in nature: earthy tones with layered gloss, and color washes with overlays and glazes.

“This trend is all about taking something that was once a rebellious statement and refining it into new and personal,” Sadoyan says.