The NZFW HITO Hot New Talent competition will see aspiring hair stylists, makeup artists, fashion stylists and models given an opportunity to impress fashion industry leaders while working at New Zealand Fashion Week.
"Creating opportunities for emerging talent in the fashion industry is important to NZFW. Every year we look for ways to support new designers and we created a similar competition in 2010 with all winners going on to employment in their relevant field," said NZFW Managing Director Dame Pieter Stewart DNZM.
With some of the industry's most successful individuals stepping up as mentors this year, it's an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the finalists to learn on their feet and from their idols, at the country's most prestigious fashion event.
Aspiring hairdressers have the chance to work with some of New Zealand's biggest names – Rebecca Brent, winner of the 2014 L'Oreal Colour Trophy Supreme Award and owner of the iconic Willis York salon in Wellington, Mana Dave, three-time Auckland Region Hairdresser of the Year and Creative Director of Blaze and Pony, and internationally renowned celebrity stylist and Creative Director of Rodney Wayne Richard Kavanagh. Kavanagh's portfolio includes work for Prada, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Bottega Venetta, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Miu Miu, Calvin Klein, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Saint Laurent.
Cosmetic queens Pheonix Renata, eyebrow guru and owner of Pheonix Cosmetics; Kristen Stewart, owner of Kristen Stewart School of Makeup and Samala Robinson, founder of Samala Robinson Makeup Academy will put the makeup finalists through their paces during their first backstage experience.
A sartorial dream team will mentor budding stylists – Sally-Ann Mullin, Fashion Quarterly Editor and arguably one of New Zealand's best-dressed women; and seasoned celebrity and editorial stylists Barry Betham and Lulu Wilcox.
HITO as New Zealand's Hair and Beauty Industry Training Organisation, develops and manages industry qualifications for the hair and beauty sectors, and manages the apprenticeship programmes for hairdressing, barbering and beauty in New Zealand.
The partnership with NZFW will help HITO find the next generation of talented young apprentices, looking to begin their career in hair and beauty.
Don't miss out on the chance to work with the biggest names in fashion and make a splash at 2015 New Zealand Fashion Week – with entries to the highly anticipated NZFW HITO Hot New Talent Competition closing on Monday 3 August.
Image: Creative Director of Rodney Wayne, Richard Kavanagh