Creating a perfect platform for the local hairdressers to showcase their talents Organization Mondiale Coiffure (OMC) Asia Cup Open 2010 will be held in Sri Lanka for the first time on March 7th and 8th at the Cinnamon Grand.

This is one of the largest events for hairdressers in the Asian region. This event will bring together hairdressing professionals from all countries which belong to the OMC Asian region. Apart from the competitions for ladies and gents hairdressing categories, bridal hairstyles and make up, stage make up, fantasy hair styles and nails there will be the other categories in the competition. Also, laying emphasis on the younger generation of the hairdressing industry, special category listings are included for participants under the age of 25.

Organized by the Sri Lanka Association of Hairdressers and Beauticians (SLAHAB), the event will conclude with a grand hair and fashion show and an award ceremony. Over 15 countries including Japan, South Korea, Philippines, India, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia will send in their teams.

Upon recognizing the extensive talent that is emerging from the Asian hairdressing community as well as the financial constraints the participants face while participating in a competition of this magnitude, the OMC Asia Cup Open 2010 committee has introduced competitions in mannequin heads for the junior as well as senior categories.

Official judge and trainer of OMC, Johann Peiris	Founder President of SLAHAB and President of OMC Asia zone Nayana Karunaratne	SLAHAB Current President Rayaka Jayasuriya

Founder President of Sri Lankan Association of Hairdressers and Beauticians (SLAHAB) and President of OMC Asia Zone Nayana Karunaratne speaking on the upcoming competition said, "We are granting access to this event for everyone for almost no-cost. The knowledge that they gain through even the simple observations in two days of activities is invaluable." Karunaratne welcomed all the fashion and beauty enthusiasts to join SLAHAB in the venture.

She also remarked that as a prime step towards establishing international standards in the local hair care and beauty industry, SLAHAB is making plans of launching hair and beauty standards on par with OMC in all three languages - Sinhala, English and Tamil. "SLAHAB will be responsible for maintaining these standards. We wish to uphold SLAHAB as a recognized body which would represent the professionals of the local industry."

Kanchana Godigamuwa is the Official Trainer of OMC Sri Lanka. She has been working as a trainer for the past five years and has even been part of similar international competitions as a participant. "All those experiences molded my professional career in hairdressing immensely. These experiences further enhanced my skills and knowledge and provided me with a sound knowledge which assisted me in the day-to-day activities in my career."

Kanchana pointed out that commitment is an essential quality to cultivate to overcome challenges and establish oneself in the field. "Commitment coupled with one's talent can take you a long way in this industry." She asserted that such international competitions serve as good eye-openers since it provides the participants the chance to obtain ample exposure as well as experience in varied categories of hair and beauty care. "Handling different types of hair, following the international standards will definitely add a lot of knowledge which would help one in the long run."

"SLAHAB has always provided local beauticians with opportunities to showcase skills. This year we held the National Awards for hairdressers and it was a great platform to surface the talent that's emerging from outstation. It also prepared the participants for the OMC Asia Cup Open which will be held in March 2010," said the current President of the SLAHAB, Rayaka Jayasuriya,

Rayaka emphasized on the fact that this year, upon Nayana's Karunarathne's request, OMC has decided to include bridal categories for the first time in the Asian regional competitions. "This move was specially taken to benefit the local beauticians since bridal dressing is a driving force in the local industry."
Proprietor of Cutting Station and renowned beautician Johann Peiris is no stranger to the local hair dressing industry. He is a judge for the OMC Asia Cup Open 2010. "It's a great experience to operate as a judge and I would say that it definitely changed my perspectives.

When you are judge it's not just about admiring a creation, there is much more to it such as adhering to the criteria of the competition and making sure that the base of the competition is included in the competition," he added.

He also pointed out that allowing the usage of mannequins is also going to benefit the participants immensely since it is cost effective and would make the competition more viable for participants to join and take part.

The SLAHAB / OMC Sri Lanka members will be entitled for free entrance to the OMC Asia Cup Open 2010 on both days, on producing their membership cards.