Tabitha Coffey stands off to the left as Nicholas French shows one of his favorite looks during the Matrix Iron C.R.A.F.T. Challenge in Omaha, NE.

THE EVENT:

The Matrix Iron C.R.A.F.T. Challenge held in Omaha, Nebraska.

THE DETAILS: Matrix held a "pop up studio" offering four weeks of advanced education to all licensed hairdressers in the Omaha area. Almost 2,000 salon professionals attended the various classes and programs. The grand finale of the tour was the "Iron C.R.A.F.T. Challenge." Small groups of hair professionals acted as a team
and accepted a last-minute challenge from a Matrix Artistic Designer to take a mannequin head and transform it using a word or phrase from the designer. Think Iron Chef for hairdressers. More than 550 hairdressers, friends and family were there to support the 16 teams as they created looks from words such as "flowers," "super
heroes" or the grand-finale challenge "the Matrix Mannequin Mania logo."

WHO'S WHO: The room was packed with superstar guests. Tabatha Coffey hosted, Karrie Fonte was emcee and Omaha Mayor Jim Shuttle made a welcoming speech. Team leaders included: Vavoom Artistic Director Ammon Carver, Matrix Global Designers Nicholas French and Daniel Roldan and Matrix Artistic Designer
Cori Randall.

THE WINNERS: Ammon Carver's team won the ultimate challenge of creating their interpretation of the Matrix Mannequin Mania Logo. The winning team: Kirby Keomysay, Sarah Dettman, Ciara Searight and Somphou Staiy Tran received an American Express gift card.

SPECIAL GRAND PRIZE: Skyla Guilliatt went to the open audition to tell why she wanted to become a hair professional. Since her story was the most compelling, Matrix awarded her a full scholarship to attend the Xenon International Academy.