Cosmetology students from across the state were hard at work Friday in the Concord Regional Technical Center’s cosmetology studio as they prepared for the annual Hair Fashion Show later in the evening.
This year, students were tasked with designing and styling their own versions of “mythical hair.” The designs underway Friday afternoon included Greek goddesses and demons.
The contest winners received professional styling tools, and all participants received scholarships for cosmetic and beauty school.
Forty-five students representing 15 schools participated in the competition Friday in the Concord High School auditorium. Last year’s event involved only two schools, CRTC and Nashua Technology Center, and 2020’s competition was canceled due to the pandemic.
“This is the largest group I’ve ever had,” CRTC cosmetology teacher Kimberly Hannon said. “That is so exciting. I’m so happy.”
In addition to displaying their skills, students have a chance to network with others pursuing a career in cosmetology, an industry that is teeming with opportunities, Hannon said.
“In our industry, there was a shortage before COVID hit, and when COVID hit it made an even higher demand for people in our industry,” she said. “When we say it is a billion-dollar profession, we’re not lying. Nobody believes us, but it’s a billion-dollar industry. It’s a profession [where] when you leave school you will get gainful employment and you will make money.”
In past years, students have designed makeup, costumes and hairstyles for a variety of themes.
In 2019, the style teams were assigned to recreate and present a design inspired by a singer or music group.
Two years earlier, the artists made their models appear as animals under the theme of “A Day at the Zoo,” which included a giraffe, parrot, lion and elephant.
“It’s an awesome opportunity for students to show off their craft, learn to work as a team, get really creative, sort of break all the rules,” Hannon said.