Is this just fantasy? Hat trick for College hairdressers

Edinburgh College’s young scissors stars styled their way to victory at the finals of a national hairdressing competition in Blackpool, heading home with a haul of medals.

Students Danielle Clark, Lesley Fox and Karla Robertson won Gold, Silver and Bronze in the Avant Garde category of the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) UK Trainee competition. The girls went ‘head to head’ with students from colleges across the UK at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, preparing their final looks against the clock.

Kay Corbet and Danielle Clark also won Gold and Silver in the Fantasy section, winning their places in the finals after impressing the judges in regional heats in Glasgow. Kay then won Bronze in the Advanced Skills category, representing Edinburgh College at the top of the leaderboard with a total of six awards. All winners were awarded with a medal and certificate.

Danielle, who has competed in the AHT national competition previously, drew inspiration for her avant garde look from candy skull dolls, creating a hairstyle that stood at 27 inches as well as designing an outfit and body painting her model.

She said: “I was in total shock when they called out my number as there was so many amazing hair creations in both categories, and over 20 entries – I didn’t dream I was going to win anything. It felt so good to see all our hard work pay off and bring in the top spots for Edinburgh College. I am still overwhelmed and in disbelief. It’s an amazing result to come home to.”

Jackie Steele, Hair and Beauty lecturer and the winners’ mentor, added: “My girls have worked their socks off to achieve these looks, practising at home and at college at weekends and evenings. The standard was very high and the judges took a long time deliberating. I have never in all the years I have had students competing, or even when I have competed myself, heard of one college picking up Gold, Silver and Bronze in any category.  

“I am absolutely blown away with the result. Edinburgh College’s hairdressing team definitely left its mark on the AHT and set the standard for other colleges from across the country.”

The Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) UK Trainee Competition is an annual competition that gives  students the opportunity to showcase their skills in a chosen field.