BUTTERFLIES, gems, flowers and feathers were among the accessories used to create the flamboyant, elegant, and fun-loving styles and fashions for this year’s Exeter College hair show. Based on one of two themes for the Strut Your Stuff event – Girls’ Night Out and Avant Garde – the group of Level 3 NVQ Hairdressing students delighted onlookers with their imaginative ideas.

Fearlessly pushing the boundaries, fairy lights and cartoon flowers were featured in up-dos, while fizzy drinks bottles, fake bank notes, and crisp packets could also be seen on the catwalk.

Among the outstanding entries was Liberty, by Vicky Simpson, who had used New York’s Statue of Liberty as inspiration for her towering crown of hair and regal outfit. Other ideas ranged from Prom Night and Butterfly Queen to Greek Goddess, LA Pool Party, and the seasonal Spring Is In The Air.

To enter the competition, each stylist dressed two models, a mix of students, friends and family, in looks they had created especially for the event which took place at College restaurant @34. Judges Jess Kent and Jane Burch, of Exeter-based salons Hair @ No 5 and Boomerangs, then chose the winners: Girls’ Night Out: Jade Voysey (First), Vicky Simpson (Second), Zoe Baker (Third); and Avant Garde: Suzi Rockey (First), Crystal Slocombe (Second), Vicky Simpson (Third).

Tina McCarthy, Deputy Head of the Hospitality, Hair and Beauty faculty, co-organised the event with colleagues Linda Creed and Suzanne Ward. Afterwards, she said: “Every year, I am amazed at the incredible quality and originality of some of the students’ work, and this year I think they have raised the bar even higher.

“There is always such a buzz in the air on the night as it offers the students a chance to show friends, family and prospective employers what they are capable of. For those wanting to go on to compete in professional competitions, this is a starting point, and the photos they walk away with will help showcase their work in future.”

Vicky Simpson, aged 23, of Exmouth, added: “I typed ‘Avant Garde’ into the internet and a photo entitled Helicopter Hair came up, and my idea to base my theme on the Statue of Liberty came from there. I felt quite overwhelmed when I found out I’d won prizes in both categories. I think the show is a great idea because it gives us the inspiration to be creative and lets us put our ideas out there for others to see.”