Milady, part of Cengage Learning, and a leading provider of beauty and wellness learning solutions, today announced Robert Thomsen, a stylist from Albany, NY, as the winner of Milady’s Rising Star Video Contest.  As the applicant with the winning video submission, Thomsen will receive an all-expenses paid trip to a two-day video shoot where he will film his very own technical video for the Milady Perspectives in Hair Design series, a $1,500 cash prize and a ticket to the 2014 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), including airfare and hotel accommodations for one night.

Watch the winning video.

In July, Milady asked US-based licensed cosmetologists to submit a five minute or less video showcasing their talent. All entries were judged by an objective panel of expert judges that included Dean Banowetz (Hollywood Hair Guy, X Factor), John C. Simpson (Goldwell, 2008 NAHA Recipient for Color) and Theodore Leaf (Bravo’s Shear Genius, NBC’s Fashion Star). Thomsen’s video was chosen by the judges as the winner of Milady’s Rising Star Video Contest, because of his excellent on-camera presence, versatility, understanding of different cutting and color applications, and his ability to walk through each step as he performed cuts on his client. The judges noticed his level of comfort while teaching a step-by-step technique, and chose him as the winner believing that he will be a natural to star in a Perspectives in Hair Design video.

An up-and-coming stylist from New York, Thomsen is a graduate of The Orlo School of Hair Design and a certified Aveda Colorist.  He is currently working as a Senior Stylist at Shapes & Colours Salon in Albany, NY and has been previously awarded as the ‘Capital Region’s Best Stylist for 2012’ by Metroland. Thomsen also takes advantage of regular training opportunities with Aveda, Goldwell and Arrojo, which helps him to elevate and strengthen his craft and also to remain up-to-date with new styles and techniques.

“It was evident from Robert’s video submission that he is a passionate, talented and creative rising star,” said Sandra Bruce, Executive Director, Milady. “At Milady, we believe that learning goes far beyond the classroom, and that the key to success in this industry is to never stop educating yourself. In his video submission, Robert exhibited a fresh approach and a curiosity for learning, which made him a perfect fit to star in an upcoming Milady technical video for our popular Perspectives in Hair Design series. I know that Robert will do great things in his career, and I can’t wait to see what he brings to the table as our newest rising star in the industry.”

Milady ran this contest as a way to provide a platform for up-and-coming stylists to showcase their passion, talent and vision through their very own step-by-step video, and to raise awareness of the wide range of resources and tools available to licensed professionals within the Milady Education Network. To view the winning video, and all other entries of Milady’s Rising Star Video Contest, please visit www.youtube.com/miladycos.  For more information about Milady’s Perspectives in Hair Design series and the Milady Education Network, please visit www.miladyednet.com.