Salon Melbourne 2012 presents hot young stylists Jules Tognini and Lauren McCowan in Gen Y Style, a showcase to achieving the total look with the latest hair and makeup trends and techniques as seen on the catwalk and in magazines today.
This team is pegged to be the ones to watch at this year’s expo, with their Gen Y Style live show poised to be a real crowd pleaser. Jules Tognini, a laid-back and edgy star in the making, has gathered accolades the likes of Hair Expo Apprentice/Student of the Year in 2010 and New Creative Force Finalist in 2011. Lauren McCowan, the creative director of Cloud Nine Australia was awarded AHFA apprentice award in 2009, and has spent the spent last year living and working in New York and is a regular at fashion weeks from Australia to New York.
Salon Melbourne will be the hub of inspiration for all hair and beauty professionals, offering the very latest from the industry’s best in an amazing selection of free live shows available to all visitors with registration.
5 Minutes with Gen Y Style Stars…
1. What can visitors expect at your session at Salon Melbourne?
Lauren: Visitors can expect an in-depth exploration of our individual style and approaches to interpreting trends and realizing them in an original way. We will be looking at current trends and how we build an entire look using those influences.
Jules: Our show will be inspired by the latest catwalk and fashion trends with our own spin on things.
2. How relevant do you think Salon Melbourne is to industry professionals in hair and beauty?
Lauren: Salon Melbourne is a great opportunity to further education, see new products and collaborate and share with the rest of the industry. Events like Salon Melbourne help feed the industry's creativity, which has a trickle down effect through salon teams and clients.
Jules: Hairdressing is one of the great industries. One big event a year just isn't enough. Melbourne being Australia's creative hub, there's no better place for this event to be.
3. How will your session make a difference to their professional skill and technique?
Lauren: Our session is about taking a step left of centre to really explore techniques and trends, learning to be confident enough to see a trend and mould it to your own individual style. Ultimately education is about collaboration, our session is about sharing our style and some tricks we've created, but what stylists take home with them will be the drive to challenge themselves, take our tips and mould them into their own skill sets.
Jules: Punters will enjoy a couple of the next generation hairdressers doing their thing, and sharing a few tips that has helped us along the way. Hopefully they will walk away with a massive smile on their dial and a load of inspiration.
4. How important do you think attendance to expos such as Salon Melbourne is for industry professionals?
Lauren: I think having the opportunity to be exposed to new products and developments, lots of education and other members of the industry is important for any stylist who has the drive to challenge themselves and invest in their personal growth.
Jules: If you love our industry there is no reason why you wouldn't be there. The fact that we have another hairdressing event to celebrate is great. You can walk the trade show floor and see hairdressing’s ‘cream of the crop’ performing on all different stages, all for the one ticketed price.
5. What is your number one piece of advice for someone trying to break into the industry?
Lauren: Keep your passion alive, work really hard and be nice to people! Your skills are important but having great professional relationships with people will ensure you keep working for a long time.
Jules: Get in contact with the people and companies that you admire and offer them your assistance. You have to get your hands dirty and you kinda have to live and breathe hair. If you get in there deep enough your time will come.
6. Trend forecast for 2012 or favourite trend at the moment?
Lauren: I love glistening, slicked back hair at the moment. Pulling the hair away from the face and then building the length into gorgeous waves, messy beach hair or straight locks gives an editorial look but an almost sport luxe feel that works well in the summer months and is still dramatic at night.
Jules: Short hair is due, cut your locks off and stand out in the crowd with a statement on you head. Colour wise I am in love with naturals with blocks of bright colours and beautifully clean scalp belches (white).
Catch Jules and Lauren in action in Gen Y Style on the main stage at Salon Melbourne 2012 on Saturday 31st March at 3:30pm. Main stage events are free with entry. Registration now open at www.salonmelbourne.com.au
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