Sunflower Gives Winning Inspiration to Young Stylist

A young Highworth based hairdresser wowed judges at a national competition with her pretty style that was inspired by nature.

The shape and colour of a sunflower prompted stylist Lauren Soley, 24, of Karoliina Saunders Hair Design, to pick up her colour brush and scissors and create a show stopping style on her fellow stylist, 20-year-old Georgina Kemnitz-Pryor.

Lauren took the top prize in the Female Fashion Look which is a category in the Britain’s Best Competition organised by the National Hairdressers Federation.

Although the competition is in it's seventh year, it is the first time it has been held at the legendary Salon International at London’s ExCel centre. Stylists and barbers of all levels competed against the clock to create and perfect a style that would impress an expert panel of judges.

Trainees as well as seasoned pros entered the competition, so it was a real achievement for Lauren who, despite having entered several contests, has never enjoyed a win.

Before completing her style live in 30 minutes at Salon International, Lauren spent around 20 hours working hard in the salon in Sheep Street, creating exactly the right colour and cut.

She said: “I cut the hair into sections to create a petal shape and painted pieces yellow to reflect the sunflower’s bright colour.

“A white colour was also painted on the hair to highlight the yellow sections and make them stand out even more.”

For Lauren, who has been hairdressing for nine years, the win is a real career highlight and salon owner, Karoliina Saunders, is delighted she has got the recognition she deserves.

She added: “Lauren is so talented and extremely hard working. It was only a matter of time before her skills got rewarded but, to come first in a national competition open to stylists of all levels, is quite something.

“We are all extremely proud and I know Lauren’s career will continue to soar.”