A cut above

We are sure there must be one time you spotted a lady with a rose in her hair. Taking inspiration from that, city-based stylist Ishani Nanayakkara worked out a look for this year’s India Cup Open, the country’s only national level hair and beauty competition organised by the National Hairdressers and Beauticians Association (NHBA) with Wella Professionals held in Noida this December 1. And the look got Ishani the winning gold in the ladies category. “The event is a prestigious one for us in the beauty industry. A much looked forward to one at that,” tells a beaming Ishani as she passes on a photograph that showcases a model with fiery red mop that actually resembles a rose! “We not only have to present the hairstyle but the complete look down to the dress, accessories and of course even the model,” explains the stylist who worked out a green ensemble with a high collar to offset the red rose. “The jury marks you according to the hair colour, the right sectioning, presentation…all of which is scrutinised by the experts,” tells Ishani. Interestingly, this year’s event saw as many as 170 experts from the beauty professionals compete on a common platform. “There are various categories to the contest like ‘Street Fashion Style’, ‘Trend Cut and Style’, ‘Nail Art’ etc and I won a gold medal in the Evening Fashion Long Hair for Ladies and a bronze medal in Fantasy Makeup and Hair category,” tells Nanayakkara who had only 30 minutes to put the look together on the stage at the event whcih also saw renowned designers, hair stylists and make-up artists competing for the title. “With each year, the competition is getting tough,” mentioned Ishani who runs Oleega salon in Fun Republic, Manimajra. For the Fantasy Makeup category, Ishani presented a bride and groom look on one model! “It’s a fusion of both. While one side I showcased the groom’s look, on the other side of the same person I presented the bride. This idea was really appreciated by everyone,” spoke a visibily proud stylist who incidentally didn’t start out as a stylist in Sri Lanka, from where she originally hails. “Marriage brought me to India and I have to thank Arshad for professionally training me so well. I am really grateful to him for what I am today in the industry,” Ishani says as she further brings on the good news. “All the winners will represent India at the OMC Europe-Cup Open competition in Athens Greece in 2009. I am so looking forward to it,” sums up the stylist who is all set to work out her designer look for Greece. All the best!