Earlier this year, ghd crowned 30 talented, up-and-coming hairdressers with an industry honour and dynamic opportunity, welcoming them to the ghd ANZ Style Squad for 2019. Selected from over 2500 entries across over 400 salons, this next generation of industry stars are being given the opportunity to hone their skills under the mentorship of iconic ghd creative artists, who teach them how to achieve all the latest looks and trends. Ghd also support the up-and-coming artists by connecting them to industry and media events, backstage and networking opportunities with the ghd artistic team, bespoke education events, and more.
The team members boast different inspiration points, levels of experience and locales in their hairdressing lives, making it a truly diverse super group. As they traverse these opportunities all year long, we found out some pertinent facts, hairdressing history and personal anecdotes from the crew who teach us to dream big and never stop learning. Let’s dive in.
The hairdressers hail from all around Australia and New Zealand, and 20-year-old Anastasia Kavalekas is a NSW squad member. Drawn to ghd for the tools, products and people, she stood out for her passion and creativity. Her counterparts from Victoria share her sentiments, and bring their own unique experiences. Nikki Kolokithas has been a hairdresser for 14 years and loves it for the ability to transform clients, with the feeling that ghd has built her into the hairdresser she is today through education, events and support. Emily Ferrato is a salon owner who originally loved the industry through an admiration for fashion shows. Emily brings ten years of experience to the Style Squad and has supported the ghd team in events for Vogue, Mecca and local Fashion Shows allowing her to be a part of what made her love hair from a young age. 26-year-old Amberly Gittings has seen the Style Squad experience connect her with high profile fashions too, where she has worked backstage at Fashion Week in Sydney, building on her longstanding relationship with ghd.
“I have learnt so much already since being apart of this team. The events I have worked on have been so different but I have walked away from each one with new tricks and techniques that I can use for creative styling or on the floor day-to-day,” she said. “Being able to work along side so many talented stylists has been such an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to do more.”
Many of the Style Squad members come from up north, with Queensland hairdressers representing the brand well. Christopher Nugent is among this group, and finds it rewarding for the hairdressing legends he is able to meet through the platform. Kim Hazelton cites ghd as ‘life-changing’ in both the technology and experiences afforded to her, while Jessica Kussrow sees the intel into the top-tier products as an especially beneficial aspect of the experience. Thanks to ghd, fellow Queenslander Jaydee Vanderheyden went straight from her recent qualification to the backstage rooms of Fashion Week.
“I love that ghd is a major part of this industry with providing the highest quality tools, being a genuine brand, and supporting a team of ambassadors that so many stylists admire and look to for inspiration and motivation when it comes to perfecting their skill set,” she said. “ghd has allowed me to accomplish one of my goals that I could have only dreamed of. Being able to be a part of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia is an opportunity I will forever be grateful for. I learnt so much behind the scenes assisting some truly talented stylists.”
Mikey Forster is another representative from Brisbane – he picked up a ghd tool for the first time 15 years ago in his long and storied career, the first hot tool he ever used, and still works with the brand, lauding the company for its support and opportunities. Queensland hairdresser Tash Cantwell also represents the sunny state in this inimitable experience.
In New Zealand, the group is a diverse collection of local talent. Devo W. Peng is a salon director from Auckland, who describes the ghd tools as revolutionary in their ability to create shape. Eilish Mooney has touted ghd as a personal saving grace since high school, starting by working in her dad’s salon and now growing with the brand to truly embody its spirit.
“Only do what you love, life is too short and when you’re passionate about something it shows through in your work. Never be embarrassed about asking for help and create beautiful hair everyday,” she said.
Kylie Pointon brings 20 years of experience to the team, most of those spent with ghd, in a career forged and grown through mentorship and constant stylistic innovation, while Kevin James Price says he is always learning in his career, supported by the high quality and versatility of the ghd tools. TeOhomaiana Morgan is inspired by ghd in many ways, specifically in their philanthropic efforts and important connections to breast cancer charities, showcasing the depth of the brand.
The ghd platinum+ styler was touted as a hero tool across the board, beloved by hairdressers such as Ronda Shaskey who is discovering a new obsession with the brand. Tiare Kupenga remembers stealing her older sister’s ghd at the age of 12, and now loves the brand in adulthood for its transformational quality, global recognition and ability to embolden her with skills and confidence through the Style Squad endeavour and many others. Marque Morehu appreciates ghd for its extreme research to create covetable tools, having now worked with the brand at events, fashion shows, fundraisers and more in the name of true career evolution.
“The ghd ANZ Style Squad gives stylists a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow their skills and take part in industry experiences which money just can’t buy,” said Ludovic Dellazzeri, managing director ghd ANZ.
“ghd was born in salons, and we have always been inspired by the creativity of hairstylists so it was important to us that we continue to support emerging talents by connecting them to education and event experiences that will foster their skills and support them in the evolution of their careers.”
The Style Squad crew for 2019 connect with ghd for reasons across the board and boast the full scope of experience levels, stylistic ambitions and aesthetics. Where they all unite is in their true talent, passion and desire to learn and grow under this once in a lifetime experience with ghd. With this iconic brand behind them, the rest of 2019 is going to be huge.
For more information visit www.ghdhair.com/au
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