Exclusive: Oribe Backstage Challenge Top 10 Finalists

Boundary-busting creativity and inspiration. A chance to push beyond the daily routine. Oribe Backstage, an annual event where over 750 stylists and salon owners stretch their imaginations to amazing new heights, helps to launch hair pros out of their comfort zones and into a realm of experimentation and exhilaration. Oribe believes that it’s important to step back, refresh your mind and remember how to explore the deep creative caverns of your mind—that deviating from a daily routine helps stylists to approach your salon work with renewed vigor, and see clients with new eyes.

This year’s Backstage Challenge did just that, tasking salon teams to submit a portfolio of hair and photography work inspired by the 2011 Backstage event but reinvented into something wildly new and completely unique. Salons were allowed to submit one portfolio (with a maximum of five photos), compiled from one shoot representing one common theme.

Oribe.com pro members were then given the opportunity to vote on their favorite portfolios until 10 finalists were chosen. From there, a panel of judges, including our very own founder Mary Rector-Gable, plus the Oribe Education team and fashion photographer Carlos Ruiz, selected the top three portfolios as winners of the contest. The first place winner will win a trip to South Beach, Florida including hotel and airfare. The second place team will receive $10,000 worth of Oribe Hair Care products for resale at their salon, and the third place team wins and in-salon class with a member of the Oribe Education Team. As a bonus, one stylist from each winning team will receive the opportunity to assist backstage at New York Fashion Week.

Each of the top 10 finalist salons demonstrated an amazing level of skill and creativity, and they should all be commended for their effort. Take a look at their work and you’re sure to get inspired.

To learn more, go to www.oribe.com