Olds hairstylist Lee Cenaiko of Zebedeez Hair Design is once again competing in the OMC HairWorld Competitions in Paris, France. This year's edition will be held Sept 15 and 16.
Last year, Cenaiko finished in 10th place in the competition, but she has had greater success in others.
In October, 2018 she finished first in her category during the International Beautiful Services and Supply Hair Show and last April, she placed second in the gala category for the Canadian Cup in Toronto during the Revel in Beauty 2019 event.
"There will be over 1,500 stylists from around the world competing at the OMC HairWorld competitions," Cenaiko wrote in an email, adding that she and her daughter -- who serves as her model -- "are the only competitor and model representing Canada in prestige bridal and prestige gala categories.
"Last year we were the only stylist/model to place Top 10 in North America," Cenaiko added. "Our goal is to do better this year."
Cenaiko said trainer Kelly Kalmbach has been managing the Canadian team for more than 10 years and is "really excited about what we have created this year."
Cenaiko left for Paris on Monday, Sept. 9.
During the Paris competition, she plans to wear a T-shirt festooned with logos of local businesses, created with help from Olds Sign Shop.
Cenaiko says fundraising for the trip began this year.
"In April, Canada’s international judges were excited about the 100 per cent human hair roses that we had created and strongly encouraged us to compete in Paris to represent Canada with these roses that have never been seen at the world competition before. So the race was on," Cenaiko wrote. "Finances, costumes, bookings etc. have been a major cost of time."
She said she is "looking forward to representing Olds, Alberta and Canada at the world competitions again."
