At Matters in Gray we strive to achieve success on a daily basis with the apprentices we train and also the salons that we work with. So when our salon partners kick big goals it makes us really proud to be associated with brands and individuals that pull out all stops when it comes to raising the hairdressing bar in business and creativity.
Such is the case with the uber talented Wendy Gunn, owner of Ink for Hair in Newmarket, who took out the final national chapter of the L’Oréal Professionnel Colour Trophy Awards earlier this month. After a long hiatus, the iconic competition made its long-awaited return to Australia, gathering a list of celebrities, talented hairdressers, finalists and performers for one massive show at The Palms at Crown, Melbourne. The glittering event showcased the many finalists’ alluring live looks in a multitude of runway shows, and was indeed a shining platform for some of the best colour talent Australia has to offer.
Wendy was announced the recipient of the illustrious award amongst 15 talented finalists from around the country with a stunning coral pink bob that had the crowd swooning. She delivered an emotional winning speech about her 53 years in the industry and the power of the hair community itself. “Wendy created the most innovative, fashion forward and inspired look demonstrating exemplary skill and technique,” said L’Oréal Professionnel General Manager Olga Zanetti. Wendy has won editorial opportunities with INSTYLE and marie claire magazines and a trip to Paris to represent Australia on the international stage.
Musing on her illustrious win, Wendy admits it was a big surprise. “I think everyone that enters a competition wouldn’t be honest if they said they didn’t want to win,” she laughs. “I was just happy to be in the finals. I felt I had a chance as I had done my best, and I can’t do better than that. But after working with all the other contestants, I had chosen whom I thought the winner would be – and it wasn’t me. After the announcement I was so overwhelmed and elated. I remember picking up my model and swinging her around! As for the speech, well I didn’t have one prepared at all. I just spoke from my heart.
“Colour Trophy to me is a very different awards platform in comparison to other competitions. The semi finalists and then finalists have to recreate their look for a second round of judging, then again for the last lot of judging, so it’s not just about a photo. The exposure that Colour Trophy offers being a finalist and winner is shared with the consumer and not just the Industry, including being published in the marie claire Colours magazine. It has afforded me the opportunity to compete globally for Australia now. I would encourage everyone to challenge themselves and enter the Colour Trophy Awards.”