Lynne’s at the cutting edge

Nov 19 2008 by Graham Miller, Wishaw Press

A HAIRDRESSER from Wishaw is hoping to be a cut above the rest competing against the best at the British Hairdressing Awards next week.

Lynne Welsh, of Mosko salon in Main Street, has been nominated in the Scottish Hairdresser of the Year category at the awards. She is one of six finalists who will be competing for the coveted title at a glittering awards ceremony in London on November 24.

The awards, begun by the Hairdressers Journal International in 1984, have come to be recognised as the BAFTA of the British hairdressing world.

Lynne (28), was also a finalist in 2004.

However, she hopes to go one better this time around and clinch the title.

She said: “Since I was a young girl I wanted to be a hairdresser and used to cut my friend’s hair with paper scissors when we were in primary school.

“To be nominated for Scottish Hairdresser of the Year twice is a dream come true.

“It’s a great experience because all the big names like Charles Worthington and Trevor Sorbie are walking around there.”

Lynne beat off stiff competition from across Scotland for the final. First of all, she had to submit images which showcased her work and met the judging panel criteria. After reaching the shortlist of six, she has to produce four images which will be scrutinised by industry experts, members of the British Hairdressing Awards Hall of Fame and hair and fashion journalists.

But it’s not just the standard of haircut which is being judged. The entire look, from shoes through to handbag and make-up is considered. And the experts are looking for the winning style to have the potential to be ‘the look’ for 2009.

Mosko’s collection is entitled Simply Contrived and Lynne flew to London where the salon worked with top designers and photographers to perfect the look, which they hope will give them the edge over the competition.

Lynne added: “The style we went for is simple and elegant and I’m confident. It really is anybody’s game because the standard is very high. It was always my ambition of mine to have a picture of my work in the Hairdressing Journal and I’ve achieved that many times. If I win my collection will be on the front cover.”

TOP CROPPER: Wishaw stylist Lynne Welsh is nominated for Scottish Hairdresser of the Year.