Chrissy Allan first learned about the Contessas when she was asked to be a model for another stylist’s collection. “After gaining exposure to the whole process of producing a collection, I was really inspired to challenge myself creatively and give it a shot.”
Last year, she won the Contessa in the Student/Apprentice category with her first entry. Here she shares her experience as a first-time Contessa entrant and offers some advice for other Contessa hopefuls.
1. Finding great mentors is key
“My mentor since day one has been Michael Levine. He trained me to be a hairdresser and taught me how to act like one too. The person I am behind the chair today is very different from the person I was on my first day of school. Alina Sulaiman-Friesen, the artistic director for A Michael Levine Salon Group, has been my editorial mentor. She has taught me a lot about how to do hair for the camera and the importance of sophistication. Before a shoot we have creative sessions where we bounce ideas off of each other and challenge each other to think outside of the box.”
2. Practice makes perfect
“I set up shop in the corner of the salon and spent countless hours trying different things with wigs and extensions. If I wasn’t assisting a stylist, I was in my craft corner. I’m sure some clients thought I was crazy!”
3. Be flexible at your first shoot
“My advice is to have a clear idea of the look or feel you want the image to have, but don’t be married to that idea. You may find that the hairstyle you have created isn’t coming across on camera or the wardrobe is too distracting, and so on. Be prepared to change things as you go. Also, keep the styling simple and know your collection’s purpose. You don’t want someone to look at your hair competition entry and say, ‘Wow, look at that dress!’ Your wardrobe should complement, not compete.”
4. Enjoy the business rewards
“I have gained a lot of exposure, made great connections and increased my clientele. Clients enjoy hearing about shoots that I’m doing and competitions that I am entering. It’s really neat to have them appreciate this side of the industry.”
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