LOCAL school-based hairdressing apprentice Kimberley Rapson proved she was a cut above the rest recently after being selected to participate in a national mentoring program.
The 17-year-old Glossop High School student works at Berri’s Silk Salon and was one of three apprentice hairdressers statewide to be chosen to showcase her talent at Goldwell’s Rising Star program.
The annual program gives selected apprentice hairdressers the opportunity to work alongside well-known stylists and develop new skills.
Kimberley said it was an honour to be chosen.
“I’m only new to the industry as I’m still in school and haven’t even completed my first year of hairdressing yet,” she said.
“When I applied, I was up against stylists who were in the final years of their apprenticeship and thought I wouldn’t (stand) a chance, so it was really special.
“Each state had their own participants and worked among themselves.
“In SA, it was me and two other girls and we had the opportunity to be mentored by Sydney-based stylist Shane Henning.
“Shane is a five-time Australian Hairdresser of the Year winner and had lots of knowledge to share with me and the girls.”
Kimberley described the process as “stressful but worth it”.
“The program began in August and finished in October, so it went on for a while, but the most intense part was the show night,” she said.
“The show night was on October 12 and involved the girls and myself getting up on stage with models and explaining how we came up with our new concepts and what we were doing as we were styling.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, so it was all a lot for me to take in, but I found that I became more confident in myself and with my chosen career path.
“I now know the process of how to come up with a basic look and then extend it into a final result and that’s really cool.”
Silk Salon owner and stylist Jaye Brand said she was proud of Kimberley’s efforts.
“The educators at Goldwell were surprised when Kimberley applied for the program because most people her age wouldn’t give it a crack as it’s quite confronting,” she said.
“What she did on stage was incredible – I couldn’t even do what she did.
“I was nervous watching her but she amazing and made not only me, but the whole region proud.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I wish I could’ve done a program like this when I was young.”