The 2005 China L'Oreal color trophy contest, known as the Chinese hairdressing "Oscar," announced its final winners in Shanghai last weekend.

As the biggest hairstyle contest in China, the activity has attracted 796 Chinese hairdressers from 67 cities. At the final show, 17 finalists wowed judges with their creations.

Under the theme of "Rockmantic Color," Bohemia elements, royal luxury, classical elegance, masculine and feminine are boldly combined in the contestants' designs.

Cool black, smoky grey, chic red, satin violet, shining gold and mild cream are widely used in the stunning hairstyles, ranging from elegant waves and choppy straight hair to sleek back. There is only a fine line between "romantic" and "rock."

To ensure a harmonious overall look, the stylists also worked together with make-up artists, image consultants and costume designers to present their works perfectly.

Beijing native Li Xiang from the Beijing Tony Studio, won the first prize.

Li, 32, has taken part in the annual competition for three years. "Like many contestants, I just want to use the event as an opportunity to test myself, that's all."

He introduced his inspiration behind the creation: "I grew up to the accompaniment of rock music. To me, rock means much more than just a Mohican haircut. It represents freedom, rebelliousness, anti-war and, most of all, nature.

"So, to keep it natural, I didn't use many chemicals. There are many straight lines and contrasts everywhere for example, the cold and the warm colors, the neat and tousled cutting..."

"Chinese young hairdressers have proved themselves to be as good as their Western counterparts in terms of cutting skills and coloring techniques," said Laurent Decreton, the supervisor of French hairdressing Association.

He pointed to Li's model and said: "Look at this girl. Look at the cutting and the color. She is beautiful, no matter whether she's in Shanghai, in New York, in Milan or in Paris. She is international."

Li Xiang also won the chance to go to France to enter L'Oreal world color trophy final contest.

"The contest also provides a platform for China's promising hairstylists to show their achievements in coiffure to the world. To the winners, it is by no means the top of their career, but a fresh new start," said Michel Claire, head of the jury for the contest.

Staged in more than 30 countries and regions, the L'Oreal color trophy contest, established in London in 1956, has been one of the best-known of all international hairstyle competitions.

(China Daily January 21, 2006)