Fashion, weddings and education

After a very wonderful experience at Wellington Fashion I was then off to Sydney for Australian Fashion Week to assist Renya Xydis and her team on Magdalena Velevska and Christopher Esber. You're probably thinking of leggy models, haughty makeup artists, hair divas, exotic locations, and gourmet catering - yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. But, if you're early, the calm before the tantrums can be quite peaceful and the peace is enduring with Australia's best hair director at the helm. In the end results were spectacular.

When I returned from Sydney I was so excited to find out that I been selected as a finalist for the Wella Trend Vision awards - a prestigious international award. Of course, I didn't achieve this goal by myself! As always, David was supportive in every way. He found the gorgeous gown by Sarva, he assisted me on the day of the shoot, and he packed and unpacked and cleaned by my side. Thank you David! My model, Daisy Hoftsetter has been so accommodating. She is even walking around with enormous regrowth right now - just waiting for the finals in Sydney on September 11th. And I could never produce images of such high quality with Daniele Sangermani from Red Eclipse, who is patient and sweet at all times.

While all of this creative hairdressing work has been going on I have been slowly sculpting something huge: my thesis. I have been at UQ for a while now, and have just produced a thesis that examines the way revolutionary women of the 1790s used epistolary fiction to explore radical new ideas about love. This was one of the toughest things I've ever done, not really because of the intellectual muscle flexing, but because of the isolation. It helped me to realise how much I enjoy the collaborative nature of my hairdressing career, both within the salon and out in the world. Working on this project inspired me to produce a bridal collection titled "Vive la revolution", which has been picked up by more than 20 magazines worldwide. Here I am in a Bulgarian hairdressing magazine:

Weddings are still a very important part of what keeps me inspired about hairdressing. Looking after brides may not be considered glamourous in the world of editorial styling, but the skills I have honed and the relationships I have made make bridal work an integral part of my passion for styling. I have been blessed to look after many brides lately, but there have been a couple that have really been special. Tanya, Clare, Maria and Amie have married recently, and they have all helped to reaffirm my love for bridal work.

For Tanya and I, this was our second attempt at preparing her for a special day. While the first one didn't go to plan (thankfully!) her recent wedding day was magical indeed. She was calm and elegant and at peace, and so beautiful.

Clare used to work for me as beauty therapist about six years ago, so to have her ask me to look after her hair on her day, and to allow me free reign, was very flattering indeed! Clare is now a very successful (and glamourous) business woman that I look up to.








Maria has been a life-long friend, but friend doesn't quite explain it. She's the one who knows all of my truths, the highs, the lows, my long list of faults, and is always there with warm open opens and a squish that empties my lungs.

And Amie, who not only made my brother feel like he was finally good enough, but who did the same for my son Levi when she let him in.

If weddings are the heart of my business, then Sebastian is the head. Being part of the Sebastian Urban Design Team is challenging, invigorating, and VERY rewarding. Alongside my work presenting seminars and workshops here in Australia, I have recently returned from Singapore where I represented Australia and New Zealand as the core trainer for our region. A week of intensive training on the latest Sebastian collection, "Nightshade Masquerade," pushed me right out of my comfort zone! After 23 years of hairdressing I was given the opportunity to take my cutting and styling skills to a new high, and I was so proud to bring all of this back to share with the ANZ team in Sydney.

So, for the next few months I plan to continue delivering education for Sebastian in styling and cutting that challenges and inspires, and I will also continue to provide long hair workshops and mentor salon groups across Queensland. Pricecutters, Zorbas and Supercuts - you inspire me!

I look forward to sharing more great news with you soon,
Nadine.