Local hairstylist Lee Cenaiko of Zebedeez Hair Design is competing on team Canada in a hairstyling competition in Paris in September.
Cenaiko is excited, humbled and nervous about being able to represent her country in a huge competition.
“Competitions like that are always really stimulating and it’s like an adrenalin rush,” Cenaiko said. “I’m competing against the world's best, who wouldn’t be nervous?”
While Cenaiko has been hairstyling for over 30 years, she has only been participating in competitions for the past eight years.
In those eight years she has learned a lot about what the goings-on are and how to use that knowledge to her advantage.
“The key to do really well is to do really clean work and follow the guidelines that are there and conform to what the judges will be looking for. Know your category and know what’s expected of you.”
The two categories that Cenaiko will be participating in are prestige bridal and prestige gala.
Bridal entails the contestants being given a model with straight flat hair. Competitors are required to produce a finished, precise every-hair-in-place wedding style in 30 minutes.
“There are particular elements that you have to have to show in the style. It’s a very high-end look that you have to achieve. It’s a short time to be able to do what we do," Cenaiko said.
The other category, prestige gala, is a more creative one as the stylists are given a few hours to work on a style that features hairpieces and ornaments.
During recent competitions that landed her the opportunity to go to Paris, Cenaiko has taken style inspirations from Audrey Hepburn and intends to continue to do so, but adjust where she needs to.
“There’s more elements to that style than what I did in Edmonton but same kind of principle,” Cenaiko said. “Audrey Hepburn is an icon. I’ll be using her as inspiration -- her styles and that sort of thing -- but it will be much more fancy than what we saw her wear.”
To prepare for the upcoming event Cenaiko is practising daily on both mannequins and models.
Additionally, she is going to be training with other members of the Canadian team and possibly some trainers from overseas.
When comparing this upcoming event to others she’s competed in, Cenaiko says the biggest difference is going to be the size; not just in terms of venue, but also the amount of competitors.
“There’s two or three competitions going on at the same time. So the ability to focus and be where you’re supposed to be, doing what you’re supposed to be doing, is a challenge.”
On top of that, Cenaiko is anticipating feeling like a fish out of water, as she’ll be in a place that is entirely unfamiliar. But she isn’t intimidated by that.
“You’re in a different environment, different country and methods of doing things. I find that very exciting.”
