World Of Wella Hair Show

Suzie
Apr 13, 2016
4 min read

Last weekend I tried something new.

Calgary, being much bigger than my former location of residence (Kelowna) has and offers a few opportunities that have been unfamiliar to me. Open castings are one of them.

I didn't really have a clear idea of what would be happening. The casting notice stated the address of the call and the time to be there. Very little outside of that. I had spoken with one of the coordinators directly from Wella. She was a highly organized individual that reassured me of the details of the casting and a little bit of information about the cuts and styles that would be preformed. I hung up the phone excited, but still not 100% sure what to expect at or from the casting.

I got my boyfriend to drop me off the day of the casting. I wasn't sure how long I would be there, but parking in Kensington Market can be a little restricting with the two hour max. We try to ride together whenever possible. Weekends make that easy. I could see the crowds of moms and daughters through the glass doors of the salon as Michael reassured me we already knew I was exactly what they were looking for. I walked to the right side of the room and proceeded to sign off forms and wavers. There was a large variety of individuals in the room. We all stood there in a sort of exciting state of not knowing before a group of about 6-8 stylists came down the central staircase and into the area we all had been waiting. Without an informative word, the stylists began sifting through the girls in front of them. Girls were called towards the stylists where their hair was tousled, questions were asked about colors, dyes, and product usage, potential cuts discussed if need be. I had been crouching, to fill out the form, but once I saw what the stylists picking technique was, I stood up tall and perched up against a wall, a good view of my hair above the crowd. Stylists browsed over my head and everyone else, glancing past, around. Time froze as I stood there on product display. Then it happened. A passionate artist named Antonio flagged me from across the room. He lip synced to me whether or not I had been picked ( I'm really good at reading lips so it's alllll good) , I said no, and he motioned for me to advance. I walked toward the group of 3 stylists as they examined my hair texture, shape and color. Antonio immediately mentioned something about me being his cut model. Another stylists then opened a paper document a few pages deep before inquiring my name and jotting it into a blank slot. They asked a few questions about my color tones and dye usage, and then almost instantly moved onto other things. Business is business, I get it. I stood there still, for a moment, before quietly asking one of the off standing stylists if I was still needed or I should go. She directed me back to my seat. More time passed. People waited. Then, a stylist came to the front of the room and announced the models of the show had been selected. If your name was written on the list, you were asked to stay, and if not "thanks for coming". As an experience as a whole I appreciated the casting. When I first started out, castings were very difficult for me because I took rejection personally. I couldn't understand that it was not about me, it was about product. As I've grown to understand that on a more meaningful level, I understand that the chances of me being picked will improve if I can offer a better product. Beyond the feelings and tensions of the room during and before the casting, there is logic. My idea of logic in this kind of situation, and something that brought me much reassurance was that I knew the focus was hair, but also runway. The hair would be walked down the runway. Some attendees did not know this. Being aware of what was being looked for, gave me the time to prepare those things.

I loved being part of this show. I loved preparing to audition, the selection process, and being able to watch the stylists and see the amount of hard work and passion they pour into what they do and who they are. They are so committed to the passionate lives they lead.

I did end up being the "cut model". What that means is that I was the model used on stage, whilst Antonio gave a step by step tutorial on an amazing triangle cut which I am so happy he picked for me. I never second guessed whatever style they picked for me, but what I've ended up with really speaks for me, and its ironic and beautiful that Antonio was able to do something that worked out so well for the both of us. I felt hugely inspired by the team of stylists that work on this event. The creative energy was beautiful.

I am so blessed to be doing what I love full time.