Mad Hatter comes out on top at Ara Hairdressing Showcase

Ara Institute of Canterbury’s end of year Barbering and Hairdressing Annual Student Showcase is always a buzz - but the standard of work demonstrated this year was literally next level.

Some of the long hair grand finale work not only highlighted the flair and creativity of the Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) students – it defied gravity.

One of the styles, a ‘Bridgertonesque’ entry, had hair deftly curled and piled onto a chicken wire frame. Another had jellyfish vibes with a smoothly rounded top and floating tendrils.

Looking for creativity, overall finish and cohesion in the overall look, the judging panel—made up of Tuscany and Glynis Hamel of GM Hair Gallery, Wella Educator Reneé Pettit and Viv Wilson from Kudos Hairdressers—was impressed.

Viv Wilson said the “level of the work being presented was really high”.

The overall winner, taking home a Wella prize pack and a three-hour personal tutorial with top Christchurch stylist Jordan James, was Riley Mitchell who said her passion for hair started at a young age.

“This year’s theme was films. I chose the mad hatter from Alice in Wonderland and wanted to create an overall look with accessories made from hair. It’s been a fun day and seeing everyone else’s looks was cool too,” Mitchell said.

Her model, first year hairdressing student Bella Truman, sat for six hours to complete the look including makeup done by an Ara beauty therapy student Cassie Keith.

Across the room at the showcase, 30 work-ready graduates from Ara’s New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Barbering turned out slick styles in a 45-minute industry-assessed live cut challenge.

Tutor Benji Lawrence said the judges roaming the room were a true representation of the current industry.

“Every barbershop does different things or has a different target market,” he explained. “Here tonight we have urban and classic styles covered right through to barbers from smaller centres looking for versality and those with more of a teen market. We’re thrilled to have such strong industry connections and to have their support.”

On the floor, with clip boards on hand were Kaywan Khalandi and Jordan Anderson from Modern Man Barbershop, AJ from Lincoln Family Barber, Donna Freeman from Mankind Barbers, and Tom from Tom’s Chopshop.

With sharp eyes on technique, difficulty level and overall look, the judging team in the barbering section of the showcase was also impressed.

“The skill level and the confidence level are incredible,” Khalandi said. “I would have been petrified to have had a judge standing over me when I was training. That’s what has impressed me greatly.”

The top Ara barbers for 2024 will be announced at an upcoming end of year event.