Caleb Alex from Servilles in Newmarket has been crowned New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year after taking out the L'Oreal Colour Trophy Awards Supreme Award.

The L'Oreal Colour Trophy Awards were judged live in Auckland on Saturday by a panel of three of the world's leading hair stylists - UK-based Guy Kremer, South Africa's Terence Jansen Van Vuuren and Caterina DiBiase of Australia.

Mr Van Vuuren says Caleb's look displayed outstanding attention to detail with beautifully crafted colouring enhanced by a superb cut.Caleb Alex from Servilles in Newmarket has been crowned New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year after taking out the L'Oreal Colour Trophy Awards Supreme Award.

The L'Oreal Colour Trophy Awards were judged live in Auckland on Saturday by a panel of three of the world's leading hair stylists - UK-based Guy Kremer, South Africa's Terence Jansen Van Vuuren and Caterina DiBiase of Australia.

Mr Van Vuuren says Caleb's look displayed outstanding attention to detail with beautifully crafted colouring enhanced by a superb cut."This forward thinking design is original and unique. It is the beautiful marriage of texture and colour that captures the spirit of today's look."

Caleb was chosen from seven other Supreme Award finalists for his cropped feminine hairstyle with warm blonde colouring.

Australian judge Caterina DiBiase says New Zealand hairstyles are at the cutting edge of global fashion trends inspired by the new direction towards shorter styles.

"Internationally we're seeing strong lines, soft texture and lots of colour and those trends are well and truly reflected in what we have seen today at New Zealand's L'Oreal Colour Trophy Awards."

L'Oreal Colour Trophy is the only hairdressing competition in NZ that requires finalists to go head-to-head in a live competition and re-create their photographic entry on the day of the awards.

The judges score entrants on creative and evocative hair colour, an innovative and fashion-led cut, inspired hair styling and the finish and overall look of fashion and make-up.

Runner-up in the Supreme Award was Auckland's Sasha Lenski from Bettjemans Salon in Orakei.

Three other individual awards were also announced. The Young Colourist Award went to Maree Thompson from Venom in Invercargill while the Couleur Pour Hommes Award (colour for men) was presented to Aimee Packer from Servilles in Albany (Auckland). Gabriella Andersson from Servilles Newmarket (Auckland) took out the Au Debut Award, presented to a hairdresser who has never been a finalist in the awards before.

The Salon of the Year Award went to Bettjemans (Orakei, Auckland) and four special Awards were also announced including the People's Choice Award, the Photographers' Award, the Hairdressing Magazine Award and the Fashion Magazine Award.

L'Oreal Professionnel general manager Rachel Neill says she is rapt with the vibrancy and creativity displayed by the winners.

"Each year, we continue to be blown away by the high calibre of entries and winners. It shows that diversity, ingenuity and style are alive and well in our industry.

"L'Oreal Professionnel is committed to supporting and inspiring New Zealand hairdressers. These awards are a great way of doing just that - encouraging and recognising those who push the boundaries of creativity in our industry."

More than 1,000 of New Zealand's leading hairdressers, celebrities and fashionistas celebrated the award winners in style. The show was hosted by Petra Bagust and Peter Urlich.

The Supreme Award: New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2008

Winner: Caleb Alex, Servilles Newmarket
Prize: The winner receives: an all expense paid trip for two to the value of $10,000 in 2009. The trip includes a VIP visit to Paris, the home of L'Oreal Professionnel, and to London with tickets to attend the United Kingdom's L'Oreal Professionnel Colour Trophy Awards 2009.
Runner up: Sasha Lenski, Bettjemans, Orakei, Auckland
Prize: The runner up receives: an all expenses paid trip to Australia for two people and tickets to attend the 2009 Australian L'Oreal Professionnel Colour Trophy Awards.

The Au Debut Award (for never before finalists)
Winner: Gabriella Andersson, Servilles Newmarket
Prize: The winner receives: an all expenses paid trip for two to Australia and tickets to attend the 2009 Australian L'Oreal Professionnel Colour Trophy Awards.

The Young Colourist Award
Winner: Maree Thompson, Venom, Invercargill
Prize: The winner receives: an all expenses paid trip for two to Australia and tickets to attend the 2009 Australian L'Oreal Professionnel Colour Trophy Awards.

The Couleur Pour Hommes Award (colour for men)
Winner: Aimee Packer, Servilles Albany
Prize: The winner receives: an all expenses paid trip for two to Australia and tickets to attend the 2009 Australian L'Oreal Professionnel Colour Trophy Awards.

The Salon of the Year Award
Winner: Bettjemans, Orakei, Auckland
Team members: Amber Evans (team leader & stylist), Tiffany Harley (colourist), Sasha Lenski (stylist), Jason Palmer (colourist),
Prize: A selection of fashion and beauty prizes valued at $1,000 for each team member.

People's Choice Award
Winner: Ashlee Coombes from Ainsleys Hair Design
Prize: The winner receives a selection of fashion and beauty prizes worth $2000.

Photographers' Award
Hairdresser: Jason Davies, Hairworld, Tauranga
Photographer: Jason Davies
Both photographer and entrant receive a selection of fashion and beauty prizes valued at $1000.

Hairdressing Magazine Award
Hairdresser: Ashlee Coombes, Ainsleys Hair Design
Make-up Artist: Deb Tan
Photographer: Neil Gussey
The winner receives a photo and article featuring the winner, winner's salon, and winner's work, which will appear in Headway magazine. Judged by Charmaine Guest (editor, Headway).

Fashion Magazine Award
Hairdresser: Rachel Pope, Me
Make-up Artist: Sarah Bennett
Photographer: Iain Smith
The winner receives a photo and article featuring the winner, winner's salon, and winner's work, which will appear in MindFood magazine. Judged by Michael McHugh (editor, MindFood).

Press Release: L'Oreal Colour Trophy Awards

04/08/08