Wella Professionals
International Trend Vision Awards
- A First Person Account
Asha Hariharan

Every year Wella Professionals International Trend Vision Award (ITVA) brings together the best hairdressing talent from more than 50 countries, to compete in the categories of Young Talent, open to stylists under 30, and Color, which is open to stylists of all ages. Participants at this intensely competitive contest present their interpretations of Trend Vision, Wella Professionals' yearly trend forecast, which has four distinct trends.

This year, the seventh year of the event, a record number of colorists applied worldwide to take part in this event that was held in Berlin at the famed Tempelhof Airport, now an event location. More than 2,000 people from 60 countries and 120 members of the international press were there to cheer on 94 contestants.

I was in Berlin, witnessing the event unfold. It was awe-inspiring to see the parade of nations when finalists from over 50 countries and their models entered carrying flags of their native countries. Hair professionals from all over the world, including Korea, Malta, Russia, China and even the UAE were under one roof celebrating their profession. The audience was invited to see each team working up close and personal on their models, to give them a better insight into the intricate colour work and striking styling.

The competitors working hard backstage recreating the look that had won them the Trend Vision Award in their own country and trying to impress the panel of international judges that included Wella Professionals Global Creative Directors, Session Stylist Eugene Souleiman and colour guru Josh Wood from London. The competitors took the catwalk to present their models, and seek the approval of the international audience who would also be voting for their favourite looks.

The day was full of anticipation as asymmetric, colorful and creative styles were showcased. Hosted brilliantly by the exuberant Patrick Cameron, the atmosphere was electric as the time came to announce the awards Gold for Intercoiffure Thoma of Germany for Young Talent; Gold for Zoo Hair Salon, Ireland, for Color; Silver for Oleksandr Sytnikov, Ukraine for Young Talent; Silver for DiNi Hair Beauty Company, China, for Color; Bronze for Ulla-Britts Hårdesign, Sweden, for Young Talent; and Bronze for EF Eva Formánková, Czech Republic for Color.
With my interactions I learnt that Wella Professionals had great plans for India. The company is working towards the presence of India in the Wella Trend Vision awards next year. This will be the first time India will be represented and this is a significant development for us, thereby marking a historical moment for my country.

After seeing the solidarity among the stylists who competed in Berlin this year, I encourage you to interpret one of the soon to be announced 2010 trends and enter the competition next year. With hard work and a little luck, you could find yourself at the International Trend Vision 2010, which will be held on November 7 in Paris. I will be there cheering you on with a sense of pride in my heart.