Can-do Attitude Creates Fashion Week Coiffeur Coup
Sun Herald
Sunday March 30, 2008
NEWCASTLE hair salon Blue Lotus has beaten some of the best hair studios in Australia for a coveted position on the style team at Australian Fashion Week.
Salon owner Lisa Lambert-Smith said the accolade challenged the stereotype that regional salons were "out of date and not progressive when it comes to fashion".Originally from San Francisco, Ms Lambert-Smith worked as a hairdresser in Melbourne and Sydney before moving to Newcastle eight years ago.She volunteered her services to Australian Fashion Week in 2002 as the organisers were not convinced of her talent, considering her regional setting."I had to prove to them I had what it takes," she said.Ms Lambert-Smith has styled with Australia's top fashion designers including Jayson Brunsdon, Wayne Cooper, Fashion Assassin and Alex Perry.Over the next few weeks, the Blue Lotus stylists will prepare and practise different hairstyles for the fashion industry exclusive event at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal from April 28 to May 2."You have to be prepared for absolutely anything," Ms Lambert-Smith said."You work about three shows a day, and each designer wants something completely different. One show it's sleek and glossy, the next it's the biggest hair you've seen."It's awesome. It means we get to aspire to that next level and bring back the expertise to our clients."Hunter industry will also benefit from exposure during Australian Fashion Week.Principal sponsor Rosemount Estate began in the Hunter Valley in 1969 and is known worldwide for its wine.The 1980 vintage of Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Chardonnay became the first Australian wine to win Double Gold at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, then held in Bristol, England. Penfolds Grange is the only other Australian wine to achieve this.
© 2008 Sun Herald
