18 July 2002 By CHIN MUI YOON
The 2002 L’oreal Colour Trophy Awards on Sept 2 at the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur promises to be an even more exciting event than the previous years’.

The annual event organised for the third year running brings together 15 hairstylists to compete for the prestigious title.

First launched in Britain 45 years ago, the awards was to inspire and promote creativity and professionalism in the hair dressing industry.

It is a major talent search worldwide for the best in the hairdressing industry focusing on originality, modern cutting techniques and hair colour combination. Other countries which organise their own Colour Trophy Awards are Canada, Austria, France, Japan, Korea and South Africa.

The 15 finalists selected from over 300 entries were presented in a sneak peek recently at Carcosa Seri Negara, Kuala Lumpur.

Among the contestants is Anderson Choo Sam Fong of Eco Hair Studio in Penang, who had working experience in fashion-conscious Japan and is now a consultant for wedding galleries and fashion designers.

I believe that a hairstylist is like a tailor where good design is tailored towards cleanliness, neatness and be pleasing to the eyes,” he said.

Another contestant is Alan Ch’ng Poh San, the sole representative from Sarawak.

Ch’ng, of Inspiration Alan Salon, was previously third runner-up in the Asia Pivot Point Championship in Hong Kong and Champion of the Country Trophy in Asia Pacific Singapore Competition.

I’m very inspired by sophisticated hairstyles with a lot of soft, romantic curls and colour to blend with the total look. I’m focusing on the year’s look that offers lots of curls and a variety of highlights,” said Ch’ng.

The Colour Trophy winner will go on an all-expenses-paid trip to London including an exclusive invitation to the British Colour Trophy Awards 2003 and visit the British L’oreal headquarters as well as to judge the Singapore Colour Trophy Awards.

The winner also gets a magazine cover on one of the supporting publications and feature articles in both Female and Nuyou women’s magazines.

L’oreal will also provide the winner with promotional materials such as a banner, postcards and loyalty cards.

The criteria for the champion hairstylist are stiff. The winning look must display a fashion colour statement and directional hairstyle for the new millennium.

Points are given for creative use and application of colours, cut and styling, total look, professional image, make-up and that magazine cover look that women desire.

The panel of judges include a top stylist from Europe, Joey who is the Singapore 2001 winner, Malaysian artiste Camelia, Malaysian make-up artist Alex Eu and representatives from Estetica magazine of Italy and Nuyou magazine.

There will be no first and second runner- ups, but three zone winners.