A HAIRDRESSER from Highworth is celebrating success in reaching the final of an international competition.

Karoliina Saunders, who runs Karoliina Saunders Hair Design in Sheep Street, Highworth, qualified for the final of the Alternative Hair Show which took place in the Royal Albert Hall in London recently.

She says: “This is a milestone competition, a major international event, and I’d always wanted to be part of it. I entered in the female colour and cut category, and the photo I sent in of my work won me a place in the final along with two other UK hairdressers.

“It was a global competition with a total of 16 from Japan, the USA, Australia, Scandinavia and Europe in my category. For the final we were given the theme of Odyssey and had to create an interpretation of that. We had two hours to finalise our created look at the venue and then the models were judged, and a runner-up and winner announced. I didn’t win but just to be in the final was a fantastic experience.”

As well as competing, Karoliina got the chance to meet Tony Rizzo and Anthony Mascolo, founder and president of Alternative Hair, both stars of the hairdressing world. She was also delighted to be part of an event that raised over £190,000 for a leukaemia charity.

Karoliina, who’s originally from Finland, finished off a whirlwind few days in London with a visit to Salon International at ExCel where she was interviewed on stage about her competition success.

“I began training 21 years ago, learning from Finnish world champion Riitta Urjansson," said Karoliina. "I moved to the UK after meeting my husband, Mark, and over the years I worked in a number of salons, including spending eight years as Art Director for Toni & Guy.

“I’ve lived in Highworth for 18 years and always dreamt of setting up here, then in 2013 I got the opportunity to rent premises.”

With the help of Outset Swindon, she created a business plan and found the finance to set up in business. The result is Karoliina Saunders Hair Design, which has been running for three years.

Karoliina says: “There are eight of us in the team – three apprentices, four stylists and a Saturday assistant – and we really are a team. The whole team came to London to support me and one of our apprentices got through to London Fashion Week back in September so I went up there to support her. We’re a small salon, but we have big ambition.”

“These events give us the opportunity to have a look at what’s going on in the hair world, so something like London Fashion Week gives the chance to see up-to-date styles first-hand, and that benefits our clients," said Karoliina.

“”It motivates the team to be creative, and it’s good to get inspiration and adapt the latest looks.”