4 July 2018
After winning Step Up & SHINE in May this year, Nicola Hamm from Escape Hair Lounge in Southsea, Portsmouth has officially started her educational journey. Nicola’s prize for winning the prestigious industry competition, which is jointly run by the NHBF and the Fellowship, was a year-long bespoke training programme which the stylist began by attending a one-on-one training day with expert barber, Joshua Stokes from Ruffians barbers.
Nicola's barber training
Before Nicola started the process, she attended an inspirational day with her Step Up & SHINE mentor and hairdressing educator, Debbie G. During this session Nicola expressed an interest in growing her knowledge of barbering which led her to spend a full day of training at one of Ruffian’s five barbershops in Marylebone, London. Here she was able to explore barbering and learn skills and techniques from one of the best barbers in the business.
Nicola commented:
“I’ve only had basic barber training in the past so being able to learn new ways to cut hair at a Ruffians barbershop was great. I gained so many new skills during my day with Joshua and I feel so motivated to put everything I learned into practice. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring!”
Step Up & SHINE is in its fifth year, and was launched in honour of industry legend, Christofer Mann to nurture one passionate stylist so they can enhance and develop in their career.
Keep up to date with Nicola’s Step Up & SHINE journey by following her on Instagram and Twitter (@nicolakristel_hair). You can also watch a video of Nicola after she attended her course here https://youtu.be/07IzFsyaORY.