Connie de Sousa, well-known hairstylist of Makhado (Louis Trichardt), was part of the Goldwell team who staged a spectacular launch in Johannesburg.

Every year, Goldwell launches its Color Zoom Challenge for that year and it is a global event that takes place in cities all around the world. The launch of “Realusion”, the theme for this year’s Color Zoom Challenge, took place at the Melrose Arch Hotel on 31 March. Connie was part of the team that put together the styles for the show. 

“Realusion”  is a combination of reality and illusion. “The aim is to create an artificial reality and artistic confusion, and the Realusion collection is all about doing something different, creative and new,” Goldwell’s education manager said at the function.

Connie decided to go with local girls, and for some it was their first modelling experience. She chose the song Singing in the rain, together with Rihanna’s Umbrella, mixing the sixties with the modern. “Our girls excelled and blended in perfectly with the professional models. Some even asked me what modelling agency I use!” said Connie. The expertly choreographed show was described as “a blend of enchantment and entertainment.”

Connie also had to show live on stage how she did the cut and colouring while it was shown on a video screen. With her were top hairstylists and past Goldwell winners. In 2004, Connie won the national Goldwell Color Zoom challenge and was flown to Berlin. Connie’s entries had been among the top five to go to Spain in 2008 and to Las Vegas in 2009. Last year, Connie came second in South Africa. Winner Heidi van den Berg, who went to Los Angeles, where she won bronze, styled with Connie on stage. “We were two members of Goldwell’s artistic team and two recent Goldwell winners,” Connie said.

It was Vanessa Fraser’s first time on stage. “It was lots of fun. Seeing all those different hairstyles the hairdressers created was amazing! I am definitely going to study and get my qualifications,” said Vanessa, who is assisting at C Jay’s Hair Salon. For Augusta Otto, it was her third time. “We had an amazing venue and I liked our outfits this time round. We gained experience and your initial stage fright disappeared quickly,” said Augusta.