The soiree began at 7:30pm with a few opening statements by me, a thank-you to Leah (my wife) and the introduction of Tammy, who explained the event and how the scoring would work for the first event, bridal.

On models prepared earlier in the week, associates Mia, Jane, Ali and Lori had 45 minutes to transform their models into a complete bride (make-up was pre-done). Team members, family and friends took pictures, shot video and snacked on wedding cupcakes and desserts that Leah and our team leader at Studio Two made. With four dramatically different styles being created, scoring was all or nothing. Every team member, and guests not connected with an associate, were given a scoring card and asked to rate the models from 1 for their favorite to 4 (least favorite).

A bridal style from the competition.

After a 15-minute break, Tammy briefed the crowd about the criteria for avant garde, and the timer was set for one hour. Music pumped while again, the team, family and friends shot pictures and video while enjoying more refreshments. As the hour quickly passed, the associates worked hard creating their avant garde looks on four new models. With fake hair and accessories being deftly applied, again four unique looks quickly emerged. As the hour came to a close, the runway show readied. With music cranked, the models strutted through the studio with our studio's friend Brian Wesco shooting pictures as they hit their pose at the end of the runway. After the models struck a final pose together, once again the agonizing ranking of 1-4 was made by each person voting. Once again, the associates were able to take a break.

Looks from the Avant Garde competition

With calculator in hand the team totaled up to reveal the winners of our two challenges. Prizes in hand, Tammy announced our winners. With cheers, celebration and pride at 10:00pm we started our clean up with big smiles on all our faces. Congratulations to Lori, Ali and Mia on their amazing models and to Jane, winner of both bridal and avant garde looks. Our next soiree is December 6!

Patrick McIvor is the artistic color director with Matrix – the leading professional haircare and haircolor company in the United States and part of the L'Oreal USA Professional Products Division. He owns patrick mcivor color studio (Bethlehem, PA) and studio two (Allentown, PA) – the two hottest hair studios in the Lehigh Valley. As one of the most respected colorists in the industry, McIvor mentors his team by involving them in runway work at New York Fashion Week; fashion/beauty editorial shoots and interviews with publications like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Real Simple, Seventeen, Family Circle and Allure (editors named him best colorist in the USA); and television segments on "The 10! Show"/NBC Channel 10, WFMZ "Channel 69 News" and "Good Housekeeping Reports." His studio provides stellar hair services inspired by international cosmopolitan influences such as fashion, cultural and global trends. In other words, guests leave with beautiful, sexy believable hair. McIvor is also featured in the book "50 Hairstylists."