Nearly 800 Chinese hairstylists had entered the contest for the L'Oreal Color Trophy and last Friday the judges had to pick a winner from the final 17.

Last Friday night, the stage of the Shanghai International Gymnastic Center was covered by a mist of hair spray. On the stage, L'Oreal Color Trophy, a national hairstyle contest, was being held in China for the fifth time.

The stadium was filled with thousands of hairdressers from all over the country. It was their "Oscar" night.

The annual event attracted a total of 786 candidates from the Chinese mainland from as far away as Shigatse in Tibet and Yinchuan in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. At the gala show, 17 finalists wowed the judges with their creations.

Under the theme of "Rockmantic Color," they presented an array of "romantic rock" styles in cool black, smoky gray, satin violet, chic red, mild cream and shining gold. There is only a fine line between "romantic" and "rock."

Competitors selected their own models, professional or unprofessional, and created hairstyles involving both cutting and coloring. The stylists were also expected to work with make-up artists to ensure a harmonious overall look.

First prize went to Beijing native Li Xiang from the Beijing Tony Studio.

Li, 32, was happy to talk about the inspiration behind his creation: "I grew up to the accompaniment of rock music. To me, rock means much more than just a Mohawk haircut. It represents freedom, rebelling, anti-war and, most of all, nature.

"So, to keep it natural, I didn't use much chemicals. There are many straight lines and noticeable contrasts everywhere — for example, the neat and tousled cutting, the cold and the warm colors ..."

It was not the first time the rock lover has taken part in the event.

"Actually, it is the third time," he said. "But it is the first time make the finals of the competition. I didn't expect to win the championship at all. I was using the event as an opportunity to test myself, that's all."

Li will go to France for further training by L'Oreal, and a bright future lies ahead of him.

"Many young talents have generated from L'Oreal Color Trophy ever since we launched it in China in 2001," said Brain Yiu, general manager of Professional Products Division of L'Oreal China. "The contest provides a platform for China's promising hairstylists to show their achievements in coiffure to the world. To the winners, it is by no means the top of their career, but a fresh new start."

Established in London in 1956, the L'Oreal Color Trophy has been staged in more than 30 countries and regions, and is one of the best-known of all international hairstyle competitions.

Michel Claire, head of the jury for the contest, pointed to Li's model and said: "Look at this girl. Look at the cutting and the color. She is beautiful, no matter whether she's in Shanghai, in New York, in Milan or in Paris. She is international."

True. Our young hairdressers have proved themselves to be as good as their Western counterparts in terms of cutting skills and coloring techniques. However, there's still much room to improve.

To bring local hairdressers right up to the latest international trends, L'Oreal invited Decreton Laurent, creative director from the Paris-based Haute Coiffure Francaise, to create three hairstyles onstage.

When a full array of models, either in exquisite Victoria-style dresses or in Chanel-inspired suits, paraded on the stage, people sensed the difference immediately.

For a perfect image, you have to admit, make-up and dress are equally important as hairstyle.

It was depressing to see local models boldly wearing mini skirts to show off their not-all-that-slim legs, some even adding net stockings for emphasis. A skinny male model, with no muscle on him at all, unbuttoned his shirt in front of the cameras, proudly.

Explained Yiu: "Laurent is a very experienced stylist who has been working in this field for nearly 20 years. He knows how to make an impressive hair show. At the moment, what our young competitors need most is nothing but opportunities — that's what L'Oreal will provide for them in the future."

(Shanghai Daily January 11, 2006)