Introducing The Brief by Industry Collective: An Editorial Competition for New Zealand Hairstylists
Industry Collective, a cohort of esteemed hair and fashion professionals, has unveiled THE BRIEF, a new industry competition in collaboration with Ensemble Magazine.
THE BRIEF is divided into two categories: one for established hairstylists with over five years of experience and another for emerging stylists with under four years’ experience.
Participants are invited to produce one strong editorial image based on specific briefs set by a guest creative. The inaugural briefs, curated by Dan Ahwa, former fashion and creative director at Viva and advisor for NZ Fashion Week, are titled ‘Fine Arts’ for established stylists and ‘The Underground’ for emerging artists. Detailed descriptions of each brief are provided below.
Submissions will be judged by Matt Benns, former creative director at Stephen Marr, who has carved out an illustrious career in New York collaborating with iconic brands and celebrities including Lorde, Kim Kardashian, Vogue, Proenza Schouler and Dior.
Both winners will receive a suite of cult hair tools from Shark, while the established category winner will also receive a return flight to Sydney to attend Hair Festival, along with two all-access passes.
Industry Collective is committed to empowering creatives through various resources, including both in-person and online education, networking opportunities, competitions, and workshops designed to help individuals reach their artistic and business goals.
THE BRIEF: 1
Category: Established
Stylists with 5+ years of experience.
The brief: Fine arts
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Create one strong editorial image that showcases your ability to balance a strong hair look in harmony with thoughtful styling, casting, make-up and photography. The concept should look at the idea behind sculptural shapes that are inspired by culture, art and the natural world. Attention to detail and technical process is key here, along with a confident understanding of hair texture. Your entry should include 300 words max on how you fulfilled the brief through your creative vision, the approach to the hair look and how it works in harmony with the overall imagery created. A one-page mood board of references is also required.
The story:
Consider your model and the story conveyed through your hairdo and chosen styling. The beauty of sculptural hair is their sense of power and structure. Showcase clearly what story you are trying to convey through the use of structured hairstyles to tell the story of a contemporary art gallerist whose hair balances both manmade sculpture with the organic shapes of the natural world. The hairdo shouldn’t be defined to a specific era – a contemporary interpretation is key. The main message is this person’s personal style is a collection of their passion for the arts, their sophisticated taste and a uniquely individual elegance.
Key stylistic words: Suiting, bourgeoisie, decadence, classicism.
Points (out of 100):
60 points: Collection. Technical approach, creativity of looks and cohesion.
40 points: Overall storytelling, mood board and commitment to the brief. How the hair is styled and balanced with chosen styling, casting, make-up and photography
Prize:
- Return flight to Sydney
- Two all-access passes to Hair Festival
- Shark Flex Style
- Shark Smooth Style
- Shark Speed Style
THE BRIEF: 2
Category: Emerging
Stylists with under four years of experience.
The brief: The Underground
Create one strong editorial image that showcases your ability to balance a strong hair look in harmony with thoughtful styling, casting, make-up and photography. The concept should look at the idea hair rooted in street and club culture with respect to the past – but not limited by time and space. Attention to detail and technical process is key here, along with a confident understanding of hair texture. Your entry should include 300 words max on how you fulfilled the brief through your creative vision, the approach to the hair look and how it works in harmony with the overall imagery created. The hairdos should all feel different yet complementary to one another. A one-page mood board of references is also required.
The story:
Consider who your models are and the story they are conveying through your hairdos and chosen styling. Like a digital nomad traversing through a night club of the future, your collection should be free to explore your passion for the avant-garde and the streets – but with respect to technical details. While this might feel like a chance to create freely, the lesson here is to know how to edit your ideas. You will be judged on how you show creativity and imagination but also how you execute the idea with a level of discernment. Question your taste levels, and know when to balance your hair look with respect to your complementary elements of styling, photography, make-up and casting – but always bring it back to the feeling of the underground. Key stylistic words: Metal, leather, fluorescence.
Points (out of 100):
60 points: Collection. Technical approach, creativity of looks and cohesion.
40 points: Overall storytelling, mood board + commitment to the brief. How the hair is styled and balanced with chosen styling, casting, make-up and photography.
Prize:
- Shark Flex Style
- Shark Smooth Style
- Shark Speed Style
The deadline for both briefs is April 28th, 2025. Finalists will be announced on May 5th, with winners revealed on May 18th. Winning entries will be showcased on Ensemble Magazine, New Zealand’s premier online magazine for unbiased editorial content, social commentary and inclusive style perspectives.
Entries must be emailed to Sara Allsop. To learn more about THE BRIEF, visit industryprofessionalnz.com.
Images: Industry Collective