On September 24th, Wella kicked off the fall season by hosting its second Creative Nights event of the year.
Held at the Wella Studio in Calabasas, California, the educational event spotlighted the latest hair colour trends and embraced the concept of showcasing hair as an art form.[/vc_column_text]
The evening featured Wella global ambassador James Earnshaw, and Sebastian international artist Omar Antonio, both of whom captivated the audience with their expertise and creativity.
Carole Protat, Wella’s senior director of brand education, and Martin Dale, the new head of education for Wella North America, opened the evening by reaffirming the company’s steadfast commitment to supporting ongoing learning. They highlighted the significance of continuous innovation and the importance of keeping Wella artists at the forefront of their craft through ongoing learning.
“Every time we host an event, we learn how to make it even better,” says Protat. “The purpose of Creative Nights is to be a hub where creative artists come together to find inspiration. This time, we’re exploring hair as an art form and tapping into your creative instincts. We’re showcasing two distinct approaches: one centred on colour and the other on shape, texture, and form.”
“I love nurturing and recognizing talent, providing them a platform to become the next teachers and artists for future generations,” she adds. “What fulfils me is witnessing these artists achieve their dreams.”
James Earnshaw, who’s known for his mastery in dimensional colour, showcased striking looks using the newest colours from Wella’s Shinefinity that he helped develop. His three creations—a warm blonde, pastel metallic pink, and vibrant sunset-inspired fashion shade—were inspired by the Golden Hour trend, which fuses warmth with sophistication, aimed at making multidimensional, warm hair colours more wearable while maintaining a luxurious, high-end feel.
“For me, the Golden Hour trend is really interesting and such a change from what we’ve been seeing,” he says. “We’re witnessing a return of warmer hair colour. When I first worked on this trend about two years ago, I didn’t anticipate it, but now everything has shifted. Clients are coming to the salon asking for warmer blondes, coppers and softer, warmer pinks. It’s definitely a trend driven by consumer demand and one that professionals are embracing.”
Omar Antonio, who is renowned for his unbelievable avant-garde hair looks, captivated the audience with his latest creations. He displayed eight magnificent gowns crafted entirely from hair and discussed his creative process, offering insights into his journey of transforming hair into art.
“Being part of Wella’s Creative Nights is very special for me,” he says. “I’ve been with the Wella and Sebastian family for 18 years. I started as a salon design team member, selling products, and today, I’m on stage showcasing my avant-garde models. I’ve been working on this since 2010, when I first made a dress out of hair, so this moment is incredibly meaningful to me.”
Antonio, who also showcased his iconic creations at the 35th annual Contessa Awards, reflects on his admiration for the Contessa Awards and Canadian artists. “There’s immense talent and passion in Canada,” he says. “The way they compete, create collections and push boundaries is truly inspiring.”
After the Creative Nights presentations, attendees had the chance to chat with Earnshaw and Antonio to delve deeper into the Golden Hour trend and Antonio’s artistic process.
Browse our gallery of images from this inspiring night.
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