We are thrilled to celebrate our incredibly talented alumna, Vanessa Whitmarsh, who has been awarded 2024 Stylist of the Year by the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA), hosted by the Professional Beauty Association. This honor is a testament to Vanessa’s exceptional skill, creativity, and dedication to her craft.
NAHA is the premier competition celebrating the artistry and creativity of North America’s top hair artists. The coveted NAHA award is a prestigious honor in the beauty industry.
Reflecting on her award-winning collection, Vanessa shared, “For this collection, I knew I wanted to create strong yet feminine shapes in the hair. I looked to silhouettes in fashion and created hair forms to support these shapes.” Her ability to draw inspiration from fashion and translate it into beautiful, structural hairstyles showcases her exceptional artistic vision.
Vanessa’s experience working backstage for Aveda X Iris Van Herpen in Paris last summer profoundly influenced her creative process. “I was inspired by her designs and knew I wanted to incorporate AI to create the wardrobe,” Vanessa explained.
Her innovative use of AI in fashion highlights her forward-thinking approach, blending technology and artistry seamlessly. “We shot the hair looks on the models first to create the vibe, and then my photographer created the wardrobe to enhance them,” she detailed.
Vanessa emphasized the importance of discerning the good from the vast possibilities AI offers. “This sounds easy because AI can generate anything- but that doesn’t mean it’s all good! You have to be willing to put the time in, and at the end of the day, you have to be the one who makes the call on what works and tells a story,” she advised.
Lastly, Vanessa shared her enthusiasm for the future, “I can’t wait to play around with it more in future and see how other stylists use it because it’s definitely not going anywhere!.”
Her success is a shining example of where passion, education, and hard work can lead! We are honored to have been a part of her journey and look forward to seeing where her incredible talent will take her next.
Congratulations, Vanessa Whitmarsh, on your well-deserved recognition as the 2024 Stylist of the Year. Here’s to many more successes and trailblazing achievements in the future!
Looking to begin your journey in the exciting world of beauty? We’re enrolling now for our upcoming Cosmetology programs. Send us a DM @avedaarts or connect with Admissions at 877-892-8332!
