Two days of extraordinary shows, an exciting competition and inspiring artist sessions have come to a close. Goldwell and KMS, the two brands of the Kao Salon Division, have again proven this year that they are able to create not only outstanding products, but also unforgettable moments. Almost 3,000 stylists from all over the world came together in Stockholm on October 2nd and 3rd to celebrate the well-known artistic event, the Global Zoom Event – an event with a unique international and inspiring ambiance. One of the numerous highlights of these two impressive days was the world premiere of Goldwell’s Color Zoom ’17 Collection IN·FLUX.
On Sunday, October 2nd, the Global Zoom Event 2016 kicked off with the Welcome Session, where Kao Salon Global President Cory Couts introduced the new and refined Kao Salon Retail Portfolio including the latest launches and innovations from Goldwell and KMS. KMS revealed a ‘sneak peek’ into the most highly anticipated launch of 2017 at Global Zoom 16. After this successful session, it was time to start the Color Zoom Challenge with hairdressers from all over the world. Stylists participating in three different categories (Partner, Creative & New Talent) demonstrate their creativity and their interpretation of the current Goldwell Color Zoom Collection to become a part of the Global Color Zoom Creative Team. This year, the participants interpreted the D!SRUPT Collection, and they represented their countries at the Color Zoom Live Final. On Sunday, October 2nd, all 94 national finalists from 37 different countries competed live and simultaneously. They were cheered on by nearly 3,000 of their fellow international stylists.
Representing Australia was Alexandra Kontos in Partner Colorist category – Alex represented Australia in 2015 in Las Vegas. Larissa Bresnehan in Creative Colorist category – Larissa won global bronze in this category in Berlin in 2014 – & Christiana Fugulsang in New Talent Colorist category. All 3 competitors are from Nischler salon in Tasmania. The main objective of the Artist Sessions is to inspire the audience – enabling guests from all over the world the opportunity to experience excellent mastery of their craft. The fascinating sessions were opened by the famous KMS Global Style Council, which offered initial insights in the new KMS 2017 Campaign featuring the best of HighSTYLE and StreetSTYLE from around the world. The KMS Style Council is composed of Simon Miller (USA), Sam Burnett (UK), Lori Panarello (USA), Robert Mrosek (Germany), Garreth Lenagh (AUS) and Kenny Chow (TW). This year the team was joined by special guest Edwin Johnston, KMS Global Amabassador for MenSTYLE.
Afterwards, one of the most creative and award-winning stylists in the world stepped out onto the stage: Shane Bennett, the three-time Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year and youngest stylist to enter the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame. He and his team from the eponymously named salon in Northern Ireland presented their latest collection, which inspired and delighted all the guests. So it is hardly surprising that he and his team were named British Artistic Team of the Year – the only Northern Ireland salon to ever have been awarded this honour. The Evening Section took place in the famous Ericsson Globe, the biggest spherical building in the world. The Gala Show was the perfect end to the first day of the Global Zoom Event in Stockholm. Almost 3,000 hairdressers were thrilled to discover the new Color Zoom ’17 Collection IN·FLUX – an inspiring Hair Fashion Collection that transitions from light and dark, soft and strong, heroic and mystical – with colors, textures and shapes that are always IN·FLUX. The Collection is characterized by dark, elegant colors, which coalesce with mysterious iridescence, creating a new interplay of colors in the hair. Shape and color combine seamlessly to create hair fashion with no discernible beginning or end.
The Gala Show also formed one of the outstanding moments thanks to the announcement of the three Global Winners of the Color Zoom Challenge. All three had demonstrated astounding hairdressing skills during the Live Final: Sargis Airapetian from Russia in the New Talent category – for young, creative colorists with less than five years of professional experience. Larissa Bresnehan from Australia in the Creative category – for color creations done by stylists with more than five years’ experience. Daniel Rubin from USA in the Partner category – for color creations designed by stylists who have already worked for Goldwell since the last two years at shows or at seminars. Alexandra Kontos from Australia placed bronze in the Partner Category. Daniel Rubin from USA (Partner category) also won the Stylists’ Favorite Award, together with Colette Jones from USA (Creative category) and Liss Dragos from Romania (New Talent category). The Goldwell Stylists’ Favorite Awards are a set of awards linked to the Color Zoom Challenge. The special feature of these awards is that anyone, anywhere in the world, is able to participate via an online platform and is able to choose their favorite entry in each category, from all of the National Gold Winners. Once the amazing Gala Show and the After Show Party were over, Monday morning commenced with special Artist Sessions. Within the scope of the MBE Salon Business Panel, Kao Salon’s Global President Cory Couts discussed key issues facing today’s salon owners with top salon owners from around the world including Sharon Nightingale from Lustre The Colour Studio in QLD.
The panel discussion was followed by the Master Design Teams’ presentation of the most fashion-forward designs from Goldwell’s signature programs, focusing on pure shape, design and color. Global Haircutting Ambassador Jay Mahmood was supported by the best talents from the Master Colorist Program, Master Stylist Program and the new Master Texture Program including Luke Reynolds from Luke Reynolds Hairdressing in QLD. Afterwards, the Color Zoom ’17 Creative Team gave an insight into the IN·FLUX Collection: Global Winners from 2015 Corinne Brown, Harley LoBasso and Natalie Cara Jones, along with Goldwell Color Zoom Masters Rodica Hristu and Sascha Haseloff presented the technical insight of Goldwell’s latest Hair Fashion Collection 2017 – IN·FLUX. And finally, world champion hairstylist Mario Krankl, one of Europe‘s and Goldwell’s most distinguished hairstylists, delighted the audience with an amazing fashion-forward stage show where he presented his unique creations and avant-garde styles.
The Farewell Party at one of Stockholm’s hotspots, the Café Opera, was the crowning glory of the Global Zoom Event 2016.“The Global Zoom Event is our cornerstone inspirational and artistic happening worldwide. It allows us to share our unique creative vision with our top clients from around the world. Whether it is the launch of our new Color Zoom Collection or showcasing innovative new products from our portfolio of brands, the event is Kao Salon Division’s best opportunity to have a personal interaction with some of the world’s best stylists and colorists. It is truly an amazing artistic and inspirational collective – our goal is to surpass our customers’ expectations every year by bringing them exciting news and creativity in an inspirational city.” John Moroney (Vice President & Global Creative Director Kao Salon Division).
– TJ