KMS Session Stylist Competition 2011 – Behind the scenes

Model Elly Blumentals waiting on set

KMS products at the ready

Want to know what happens behind the scenes on an editorial shoot?

I was invited to the KMS Session Stylist Search shoot to have an insight into the competition and to meet the finalists. It just so happened that I was assisting the photographer and would be there anyway!

The KMS Session Stylist Search offers emerging stylists the chance to work on a beauty feature for Oyster Magazine. It’s a fantastic initiative as the stylists gain invaluable experience working with the best on a published shoot.

When I heard KMS had Andrew O’Toole on board as the photographer I stalked him to be his assistant. Andrew is one of Australia’s leading beauty and fashion photographers and I always learn so much working with him. He is a genius when it comes to lighting hair.

The three finalists were Kelly Grant from Our Place Salon (NSW), Paul Graham from Hair Do We Do (QLD) and Peter Leighton from Shibui (VIC) and it was a close competition.

Oyster mag’s brief for the shoot was for a raw, wild beauty. Think Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon. The stylists were provided with some more direction and given a strict time limit to create two styles – one hair down and the second hair up (either full or half up).

Makeup artist Victoria Barron created a gorgeous natural face (yes, that’s me and my turban popping into shot)

 

Elly Blumentals (Priscillas) was the model and she was such a sweetheart. She’s only new to modeling but watch this face. She had to wash her hair between each stylist so they could start with a fresh base.

How to add volume & texture in a short time frame? Pins, curlers, crimpers and wands at the ready

 

The stylists used a range of techniques to create texture in such a short space of time – MyCurl, Cloud Nine Wand, hot rollers, and more but Peter’s homemade giant pins were incredible. They formed that perfectly undone hair. You know, that effortlessly cool messy curl, that looks like it took a couples of sleeps to create.

Paul Graham and Kelly Grant behind the scenes

Peter Leighton adding the finishing touches to his winning look

 

Peter was a finalist last year and used his experience to great effect to take out the 2011 KMS Session Stylist Search prize. He nailed the brief and really took on board the advice and direction from the shoot team. Peter plans to use the travel prize to attend New York Fashion Week and hopes to work on some shows there. Can I come with you?

It’s only the second year that KMS have run their session stylist search and I can’t wait for next year. It’s an amazing opportunity for up and coming stylists to gain real editorial experience with some of the industry’s best.

Behind the scenes

 

This feature will be in the October issue of Oyster and I’ll be bringing you Andrew’s final selection once it hits stands next month.

All images by Hair Romance.