Jamie Suarez, VP Creative for Regis Corporation, creates trends, educational materials and incredible opportunities for the 40,000 stylists in his network, and—with the launch of the Rising Star Contest—the industry at large. 

The Rising Star Contestpresented by Regis and MODERN SALON invites newly licensed professionals, and current cosmetology and barbering students, the opportunity to win major prizes through a photo competition recognizing talent in four categories: Men’s Grooming, Texture, Color and Creative.

At the end of the entry period (now-September 30), MODERN SALON will post the finalists’ images in each category and invite the public to weigh in on their favorite images. The winners will receive an all-expenses paid professional photoshoot experience at Regis Corporation’s private studios in Minneapolis to create the next North American trend collection that will be published in MODERN SALON magazine, online and across social media.

“When I speak to new stylists, a lot of them have the goal of getting into editorial or stage work—a level above normal industry positioning,” Suarez says. “And we want to give an opportunity for stylists to have a unique experience like that early on in their careers.”

At the photoshoot experience, winners will be mentored through the process of creating a trend collection from start to finish from storyboarding, to model casting, working with a team, on-set styling and final image selection. 

“This is a great opportunity to see where strengths and weaknesses are—you learn through the process where you can self-evaluate, too,” Suarez says.

“Because we’re looking for such a wide range of talent, everyone has a chance at this—and you can’t win unless you enter,” Suarez says. “I’m looking for inspirational forward-thinking entries that inspire.”

Men’s Grooming: “I want to see the combination of classic hairstyling techniques with barbering to put a new flavor in the men’s category,” Suarez says.

Texture: “I want to see texture in new innovative ways,” Suarez says. “Consumer and stylists are probably getting a little tired of beach waves. I’m looking for a shift in the overall shape of finished look and the pattern within the texture itself.”

Color: “I’m looking for that futuristic color combination where both the placement and tones are unique,” he says.

Creative: “This is where stylists can go all in and be as creative as you want to be,” Suarez says.

Enter now through September 30th at modernsalon.com/risingstar.