Walsall College students, Hope Breakwell and Tom Doyle, will be battling it out against each other to be named Britain’s top student hairdresser after they both made it through to the national final of a prestigious competition, run by one of the world’s largest cosmetics suppliers.
The Level 3 Hairdressing students impressed judges in the regional heat of the Wella XPOSURE competition in April and were amongst five students chosen for the grand final in London.
Twenty students from colleges across the Midlands competed in the regional heat at Dudley College, where they were challenged to recreate their commercial cut and colour from the previous photographic heat.
24-year-old Hope and Tom (25) will now travel to Wella World Studio in London where they will pit their skills against 18 of the best hairdressing talents in the UK. The winner will walk away with £1,000 worth of training vouchers, a toolkit worth £500, the chance to shadow a top industry professional and educational support for a year.
Wella XPOSURE is the leading nationwide hairdressing competition for students. Now in its sixth year, it offers hairdressing students the opportunity to compete in an inter-college challenge.
Ideal for those looking to take their first step on the competition ladder, XPOSURE celebrates imagination, creativity, and talent amongst young hairdressers. It is the ideal springboard for any college student, with winners receiving great exposure within the industry.
Tom said: “I am absolutely over the moon about making the final. I couldn’t believe it when they read my name out as the competition was very tough.”
“Winning a competition like this can really open up doors in the industry and launch careers, so I’m really excited about competing in the final,” Hope said.
Curriculum Manager for Hairdressing, Amanda Richards, said: “We are thrilled that Tom and Hope will both be representing the college at the final and proud that their hard work and talents have been recognised.
Taking part in competitions is a great way for students to test their skills against their peers, push their creativity and talents to the next level and reach their full potential in the competitive hairdressing industry.”