Nature's colours strike gold in global hair challenge

Auckland hair colourist Paul Geronimo will represent New Zealand at a major international competition in Las Vegas in October after winning the top national award in the Goldwell Trend Zoom Challenge 2009.

Paul, a senior stylist at Atelier Hair in Remuera, won the award of Creative Colorist with his striking blend of urban chic and earthy nature. He will now compete against the world’s best, with 66 finalists vying for three top awards.

Entrants were asked to interpret one of two hair trends using Goldwell colours - Ecopolitan (warm, rustic shades and lots of texture for an urban hippie look) and Virtualist (cool colours and sharp lines, creating a futuristic look).

Paul’s winning Ecopolitan design combines intense shades of gold and rose in a total package of hair, clothing and make-up. He was inspired by the outfit he created.

“The feathers and fabric remind me of nature – birds and sunsets, vibrant colours combined with earthy tones ¬– so I used that to create the overall effect with hair colour and make-up.

“Goldwell is the best colouring product I’ve ever used. They’re really superior, conditioning colours which we need in New Zealand – colour fade can be a problem in our harsh climate.”

Paul, 23, says his passion for hair creativity started in his teens: “At high school I was always trying out different colours and styles on my friends and on myself.”

He’s excited about being chosen to represent New Zealand at the Goldwell Trend Zoom Global Color Challenge grand final, being held at the famous MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas on October 24-26. He’s already started preparing for the on-stage event and admits to a few nerves - “but just being part of it will be a great experience”.

Paul will also attend the launch of the 2010 Trend Zoom look and learn, featuring Goldwell’s latest colouring techniques.

He says he couldn’t have made it without the help of Atelier Hair owners Chad and Lisa Gray, who will be there to support him in Las Vegas.

“For Paul it’s an awesome completion of a bigger journey,” says Chad. “He always had it in him to achieve.”

Chad says Goldwell’s progressive approach to colouring helps his salon achieve multidimensional effects. “We believe in building and layering variations to create modern colours that reflect individuality.”

Paul also won a People’s Choice award in the Trend Zoom Challenge, along with fellow Atelier Hair stylist Shayndia Pere-Wells (Apprentice Colorist).

Ashley Barron, of Arthur Devine Inspired Hair & Makeup, Blenheim, won the New Zealand Apprentice Colorist category. The Australasian winners were announced in Sydney in August.

For details about the Goldwell Trend Zoom Challenge 2009, see www.trendzoom.com.au