After weeks of preliminaries, the finals of the Sunsilk Hadakari workshop were held on August 19, at the Galadari Hotel providing a platform for promising stylists. The finalists were taken through sections such as hair and make up by members of the PHABA (Professional Hairdressers and Beauticians Association Sri Lanka) while their models were given catwalk training by Senaka De Silva. After the training was done, the stylists were given 45 minutes to do the hair and make up for their models.
Winning the contest was H. U. Priyan Jayalath (34) from Balangoda who started designing around 10 years ago, when he was 24. "I didn't quite enjoy doing any heavy work, I preferred art and drawing and I realised I had the knack for it," he said.
"I really like to design fantasy items," he said. Priyan was also placed first at a PHABA competition in 2007 at the BMICH where he had dressed a Kandyan bride.
For Priyan the win is proof of his will to succeed. "Since I live far away, it was a lot of hard work and money," he said, adding, that he had to come to Colombo which was a huge cost for him.
His hadakari or model, was young Sumali Kaushal (18), from Ratnapura who is currently studying for her A Levels.
Nuwan Tissera (26), from Negombo, was placed second. "I started doing hair dressing around the age of 20 and I like doing bridals best," he says, adding that he will however, take on anything that comes his way.
Chathura Gayan (19) from Bandaragama who currently works for Premasiri Hewawasam was placed third.
This year's Sunsilk Hadakari programme will be a stepping stone for these aspiring young beauticians.
The three winners received cash prizes of Rs. 25,000, 20,000 and 15,000 along with an award, a certificate, a scholarship of Rs. 100,000 and a course at the Ramani Fernando Academy. Those who were placed fourth to 10th were given a cash prize of Rs. 10,000 each along with a certificate and an award. |
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