0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hairdressing is a glamorous industry.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Unless you're bleeding from every orifice,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08you can't be off sick.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10But it's also a competitive one,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13with more than 10,000 hairdressers in Scotland,
0:00:13 > 0:00:16where the top stylists can earn over £70,000 a year.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Award-winning hairdressers, Rainbow Room International
0:00:21 > 0:00:24run Scotland's biggest training academy.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26I have sent them home for having bad fake tan or
0:00:26 > 0:00:28when their make up is not done properly.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30I went for more of a natural kind of look.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Where they play just as hard as they work.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35It's like a big, dysfunctional family.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Mm, that's exactly what it's like.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41For one year, we follow students through their
0:00:41 > 0:00:43basic hairdressing qualification Level 2.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45I can do that, you know what I mean,
0:00:45 > 0:00:48and I pure just get nervous on the day.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51And others in their second year Level 3 advanced qualification.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54My ambition is to be is to be one of the best.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55You've got to be on it,
0:00:55 > 0:00:57see if you're not on it one day, like honestly,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- you're screwed, you're literally screwed.- Yeah.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05But do they have what it takes to make it through the hair academy?
0:01:05 > 0:01:07You're probably a better hairdresser than...
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- Everybody.- Aye.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11HE LAUGHS
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Coming up...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Are we ready to rock the house? CROWD: Yeah!
0:01:34 > 0:01:37While the students compete for Assistant of the Year...
0:01:37 > 0:01:39We'll see if I get through or not.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42..for one student it could be game over.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45It's not something that I'm going to let get in my way,
0:01:45 > 0:01:46I'll fight against it.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56It's six months since new students started at
0:01:56 > 0:01:57the Rainbow Room Academy.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58What are you doing now?
0:01:58 > 0:02:00As they progress to Level 3
0:02:00 > 0:02:02they move beyond the basics of hairdressing.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Got it.
0:02:04 > 0:02:05In the classroom,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08teacher Ava is taking a class through some theory work.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13Right, I'll try and draw this. I do apologise. I'm not very good.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15LOUD YAWN
0:02:15 > 0:02:18It's basically just the layers of the skin.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20LAUGHTER
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Do you know what that looks like? Like dolphin.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25It looks terrible.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Always keen to try and be artistic,
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Angel volunteers to draw the hair diagram.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Shut the front door. Right, coolio.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35See, it's more difficult.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Right. Have a line.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Angel's getting bonus points for drawing it.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45That bit's all coloured in.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Six months down the line and they're doing amazing,
0:02:47 > 0:02:48they're doing really, really good.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51You can see a massive growth in their confidence,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55their competency levels are exceptional as well.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57LAUGHTER
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Is this your actual hair, is this what it's supposed to look like?
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- Yeah.- The hair?- That's the hair coming out of the skin.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Aww, coming out of the skin, I thought
0:03:05 > 0:03:09- this was actually the hair. - No.- Aw, this makes sense now, right.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11You know, they really, really concentrate
0:03:11 > 0:03:13and I don't think for a minute that not one of them
0:03:13 > 0:03:15won't complete at this stage,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17they will all complete their Level 2.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Right, you guys, that are basically it. I'm not going to lie.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23That's dynamite, man, see from a distance that looks good.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Once they start cutting hair they get a bit gallus
0:03:30 > 0:03:34and you can see their image changing, they're becoming more confident
0:03:34 > 0:03:37in their image, their chat, it's major growth in their character.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Kathryn certainly has changed her appearance quite dramatically.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48I like kind of Marilyn Monroe and kind of vintage.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50You see a wee sparkle in her eye every time she comes in
0:03:50 > 0:03:52and she is a little bit more confident.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55I've kind of grown into a person.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59I can think for myself now, which is a really good thing to be able to do.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Well, I don't actually think my haircut is that cool.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07I think Connor, like, his colour is better, definitely.
0:04:09 > 0:04:10Yeah, your haircut used to be cool.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17The way it's changed is kind of like, still going with the hair colours
0:04:17 > 0:04:21and stuff but I went for more of darker, natural kind of look.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25I wouldn't wear as much tan and stuff as what I did.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27He's a wee soul, isn't he?
0:04:27 > 0:04:29I think he does it every night, tan on top of tan
0:04:29 > 0:04:31and I've actually become quite used to it now.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34I think if I was to see him pale I'd be more shocked.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36I had it off for like three weeks.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39I think I just felt a wee bit lost without it.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42There's no boundaries with it, they do transform themselves
0:04:42 > 0:04:44quite a lot and you have to keep an eye on it
0:04:44 > 0:04:46and make sure they don't go too over the top.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Level 2 students Binky
0:04:53 > 0:04:56and Austin have both got models in at the academy.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59For Binky, it's her Uncle Gerry who has popped in for a quick
0:04:59 > 0:05:01haircut before he starts work.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04What time do you start work at?
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- 12.30.- 12.30, that's fine.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Having previously struggled to find models, Austin's friend
0:05:10 > 0:05:14has agreed to sit for him as he attempts a French pleat.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18So how many levels do you have to do in total?
0:05:20 > 0:05:21Um, I don't really know.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26That doesn't look right.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Assessing them both is teacher Tara.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33So this area here that you have done here is quite spot on
0:05:33 > 0:05:35but you've not come down far enough here.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- I didn't know if I was to do that. - Yip, see it there.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Aye, but see when I was doing that, like curling round the fingers...
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- I know.- It's pure...- It's pure... - Aye.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Austin's French pleat isn't quite going as planned.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- I find it easier doing it a wee bit loose.- Yeah.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- How are you getting on? - I'm trying to loosen it,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58like, every time you kind of move it, it kind of just tangles.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01You need to actually make sure that you've got tension on it.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05If you pop your head back ever so slightly. Perfect.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08And Binky's haircut is taking longer than expected.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14Gerry, gonnae not, like.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23What you're looking for is that.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26So if you come round here, see that shape, you've got it nice
0:06:26 > 0:06:29and tight and it actually follows the head shape, OK.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32Take it out and start again.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37So is this a lunch break then?
0:06:37 > 0:06:40No, I was meant to start at 12.30.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42You've not even started yet?
0:06:42 > 0:06:44You were meant to start at 12.30?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Binky.- I'm taking a hit on the chin for Binky here.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Binky is doing really well.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Progression-wise, it's quite a difficult one for Binky
0:06:54 > 0:06:58because she started at a really high standard but she's kept consistent.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Austin's finally getting to grips with the French pleat.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Right, aye.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05With a little help from his client.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07I think you've to take it from this side,
0:07:07 > 0:07:09you took it from that side the last time.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14See, that's the only problem, my memory is just terrible.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16But it's not looking too bad.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17I know, it's looking good.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20- Getting there.- Yeah.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25It was a French plait, I think, but it was quite confusing to do
0:07:25 > 0:07:27cos I've never actually done them before.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30I was trying to explain to him that your fingers should almost be
0:07:30 > 0:07:32hurting with the amount of tension
0:07:32 > 0:07:34that you're holding each section with
0:07:34 > 0:07:37and by the end, it was quite a success and he really enjoyed it.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38I eventually got the hang of it
0:07:38 > 0:07:41so I was quite pleased how well I actually done.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47It's almost 1.00 and Binky's uncle Gerry,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50despite already being half an hour late for work,
0:07:50 > 0:07:52has one final request.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55SHE GROANS
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Are you going to do them?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Can you do them cos I'm scared I'll shave them off?
0:08:00 > 0:08:02That's mental.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Do you like it? How is it feeling for you?
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- Aye, it's nice and tidy. Thank you. - That's great. No problem.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Right, free to go?
0:08:14 > 0:08:15Yep.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20- Binky.- What is it?- Star.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22All right, I though I was getting into trouble there.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32One goal shared by the staff and the students,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35is to win an award at the company's prize-giving ceremony, Congress.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39Owners Alan and Linda set up the annual event 28 years ago,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42in order to recognise and reward the hard work and achievements
0:08:42 > 0:08:43of their staff.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I really kind of got this idea of continual improvement
0:08:48 > 0:08:54so we started an annual Congress and anybody could get an award
0:08:54 > 0:08:55if they just improved.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59It sounds was quite simple but it's difficult to keep that momentum
0:08:59 > 0:09:03and just keep it getting a bit better and a bit better every year.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07I would describe Congress as the best night of our year.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10It's something that we spend months looking forward to
0:09:10 > 0:09:12and months talking about afterwards.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15It's a celebration of the hard work that went before
0:09:15 > 0:09:19and a positive start to the oncoming year.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Congress, to me, is a chance to get all my team together.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27You get to see all your friends just relaxed a wee bit so...
0:09:27 > 0:09:29The party does tend to go on. I think last year
0:09:29 > 0:09:32we got asked to move because they were serving breakfast.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37As well as self-improvement, there are lots of competitive awards
0:09:37 > 0:09:41with the main ones being Assistants of the Year and Salon of the Year.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45We're all in a competitive industry and everybody wants to win.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48I want to win something at Congress. Salon Team of the Year,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51or a photographic competition, or the individual awards.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56When it comes down to it, you've got to be in it to win it.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00CHEERING
0:10:04 > 0:10:07There's also a chance for the young students to win an award.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10Each trainee has to submit a portfolio of their work,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13which demonstrates why they should be the Assistant of the Year.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16I'm not 16.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17SHE GASPS
0:10:20 > 0:10:22SHE LAUGHS
0:10:22 > 0:10:24How can I not even know what age I am?!
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Do you think it's just cos I was 16 when I made this?
0:10:29 > 0:10:32The salon directors then choose one student at Level 2
0:10:32 > 0:10:37and one at Level 3 from each salon who will get to attend Congress
0:10:37 > 0:10:41where they will compete for the title Assistant of the Year.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43I wanted to stick to colours and I like how,
0:10:43 > 0:10:46it just reminded me of a children's storybook.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49I wanted it to be quite nice and magical, if you want.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55I wanted it to be different and maybe stand out more,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58other than having it just in a book - kind of boring, you know.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02As you can, see it's not the most presentable looking thing just now
0:11:02 > 0:11:04but it's just a first draft.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07This is the front cover, it's meant to look like
0:11:07 > 0:11:09it's a magazine called Binky.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12All these pictures are trying to show my personality.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19For Royal Exchange Square owner David,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22choosing a winner between his assistants' portfolios is
0:11:22 > 0:11:27further complicated, as Jack, whose salon name is Syd, is his son.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30I'm very conscious of trying not to treat Jack
0:11:30 > 0:11:32differently from the other assistants.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37Because my dad owns the salon there's a slight pressure increase
0:11:37 > 0:11:40on me not to make him look stupid.
0:11:40 > 0:11:46If I'm stepping over a mark with Jack then somebody will tell me.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51The biggest issue I've got is just objectivity, you know.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55I've looked through his, I've looked through Kathryn's portfolio -
0:11:55 > 0:11:56they're both very different.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Kathryn's has got a bit more structure,
0:11:59 > 0:12:03you can see a bit more variation in her work.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Whereas Jack's is all to do with creativity,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08there's not as much description.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- We could get someone else to look at it.- Yeah.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14So we'll leave it to somebody else to decide.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17To be honest, I think it's anyone's game really cos
0:12:17 > 0:12:21I know I've done my best and that's all I could do so...
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Academy boss, Leigh, has come to Great Western Road
0:12:28 > 0:12:31to get her hair done by stylist Sarah Jane.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- How you doing, honey?- Hi.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Good to see you again, how you doing?
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Aw, I'm so nervous.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Tonight, Leigh is hosting an event in memory of her mum Babs,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43who has recently passed away.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47So my mum was a crazy line dancer and we thought, well,
0:12:47 > 0:12:51if we're going to have a party for my mum's birthday then it has to
0:12:51 > 0:12:53be a country and western themed line dancing party.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56So that's what we're having. I'm really looking forward to it.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59I'm dead excited. I've got butterflies in my tummy.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Helping to run the night is MC and line dancing instructor, Liz.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08I've known Babs for over 20 years and miss her terrible,
0:13:08 > 0:13:09miss her terrible.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Hopefully I'm going to teach the non-dancers some dances.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Later on, I'll put on the party tracks
0:13:17 > 0:13:20and everybody can let their hair down, so to speak.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28It is for fun and it is to raise money for an amazing cause
0:13:28 > 0:13:31but it was for my mum's 60th birthday and
0:13:31 > 0:13:36it kind of reminds you how much she meant to so many people.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38And that's what's going to be...
0:13:40 > 0:13:42..very apparent tonight.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43Hi.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50The girls have done so well, so well. And their mum will be up there,
0:13:50 > 0:13:54she'll be dancing up there tonight, I can assure you, son.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56She'll be up there dancing tonight.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01COUNTRY DANCE MUSIC
0:14:05 > 0:14:08The thing is, I'm not dressed up, this is how I dress for work.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09HE LAUGHS
0:14:09 > 0:14:10And I'm not kidding.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13I'm just pulling out outfits, it's not a costume, it's an outfit.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16But great turn out obviously for Leigh, it's fantastic.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Yellow 219 for the fibre four...
0:14:21 > 0:14:23# Working nine to five
0:14:23 > 0:14:25# What a way to make a living
0:14:25 > 0:14:28# Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'... #
0:14:28 > 0:14:30LEIGH: Tonight has been amazing.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33It's actually totally blown all my expectations out of the water,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35we've raised a phenomenal amount of money.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38That was the aim of the game, wasn't it, raise money for a good cause
0:14:38 > 0:14:39and have fun in the process.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42And I think that's pretty much mission accomplished.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54With a place at Congress still up for grabs, some of the students
0:14:54 > 0:14:56have put a lot of effort into their portfolios
0:14:56 > 0:14:58for Assistant of the Year.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I decided to go for the jungle theme
0:15:01 > 0:15:03because it's a bit crazy and it's colourful.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Nah, I would, I would like to win.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08I think it would boost my confidence a bit more.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11I wanted to make it like proper like, shabam!
0:15:11 > 0:15:15And like shabam, out there, so that's how I got it all sparkly.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19I like sparkles. I got a disco ball, I got that for a bit of fun
0:15:19 > 0:15:21but, no, I really hope I get in.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27I've highlighted it with like bright glitter,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30my personality's quite big and out there and bold
0:15:30 > 0:15:33so people can see straightaway this is what I'm trying to bring on.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36I did struggle with it but I had...
0:15:36 > 0:15:38I got my mum and dad to help me with it as well.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41So I found it a bit easier towards the end
0:15:41 > 0:15:44but I could have done with a bit more information in it.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Level 2 assistant Mark is based in the Bearsden salon.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59As well as hoping to succeed at Congress,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02he has high ambitions for his hairdressing career.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05I think everyone's ambition is to open their own hairdressers,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08which I would love to do, but I also want to travel the world.
0:16:08 > 0:16:09I want to see the world,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I want hairdressing to take me around the world.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14But unfortunately for Mark, his hopes of becoming a hairdresser
0:16:14 > 0:16:17could be short-lived as he's developed the skin condition
0:16:17 > 0:16:19dermatitis.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22I'm allergic to a product that's in shampoos
0:16:22 > 0:16:26and hairsprays and waxes, and it's like, what can I do now?
0:16:26 > 0:16:28It will flare up really badly.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Sometimes I won't be able to bend my fingers.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33It's a thing I'm never going to get away from, really.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37One potential solution to Mark's problem would be to wear gloves
0:16:37 > 0:16:39when working with the products
0:16:39 > 0:16:41but even that might not be an option.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45I've been tested as well to see if I'm allergic to like rubber, latex.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48I don't know what will happen if that comes back positive.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54And in the Royal Exchange Square salon, after getting
0:16:54 > 0:16:58the portfolios externally judged, it's time for David to announce
0:16:58 > 0:17:02whether it will be his son Jack, or Kathryn that gets to go to Congress.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05OK, guys, what we had to do was to keep it objective is
0:17:05 > 0:17:08I had nothing to do with it.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11And the entry that's going to go through this year...
0:17:14 > 0:17:15..is yours, Jack.
0:17:15 > 0:17:16Is it?
0:17:19 > 0:17:20- OK, guys?- Yeah.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25Congratulations. Commiserations. Does anyone need a hug?
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- You want a wee hug? - Yeah, I want a hug. Let's hug.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29They can have a hug.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32And in the other salons, it's time to find out who will be joining
0:17:32 > 0:17:37Syd at Congress to compete for Assistant of the Year.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Right, so we've made our decision.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- It was a really high standard. - Really hard.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45Hope, you're through for Level 2, so well done.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47And Beth, you're through for Level 3.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48Yous are going to Congress.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Whoo!
0:17:50 > 0:17:53I can't believe I got picked. So I can't wait now.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56I feel a wee bit rubbish for Lesley cos I believe
0:17:56 > 0:18:02that she did put effort in but at the end of the day,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04the winner got chosen.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I'm totally fine with it, it's gutting
0:18:07 > 0:18:10but I'll hopefully get there another year as a stylist.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15The big reveal, who is going to Congress.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17And I don't know this myself.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19This is for Level 3.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25Demi! There you go. You're up there.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29I feel like my hard work has paid off
0:18:29 > 0:18:31and I'm really, really pleased with myself.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39Angel, you're going to Congress. Yes!
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Really brilliant.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Oh, my God, I'm so...
0:18:43 > 0:18:48No, I'm happy. I'm dead, dead, dead, dead, dead, dead chuffed.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Honestly, aw! I'm really happy.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Our lucky assistants will be competing against students
0:18:55 > 0:18:57from all the other salons.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04But for Austin, he'll have to try again next year.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05I'm a bit gutted
0:19:05 > 0:19:08but I guess I can put a bit more information into it next year.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21The day has finally come for over 100 hairdressers to
0:19:21 > 0:19:23descend on Airth Castle in Stirlingshire,
0:19:23 > 0:19:27for the company's annual award ceremony, Congress.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41But for the company's art team it's been an early start
0:19:41 > 0:19:45as they get the models ready for the catwalk seminar later in the day.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48That looks amazing what you've done.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50It'll be good when it's done.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54The girls, we'll keep it quite fresh.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58For the guys, just very bare, minimal.
0:19:58 > 0:19:59Just a bit of powder, that's it.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08Well, good morning and welcome to our 28th Annual Congress.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12And we've got a brilliant day. Absolutely brilliant day.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15In the morning event, it's a competition as usual,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19all of your directors have all been briefed so everybody go
0:20:19 > 0:20:23and have a brilliant time and I'll see you at the next break. OK.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25CHEERING
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Each salon has to work together to design their own
0:20:29 > 0:20:31shield and coat of arms.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34The challenge is to do it in such a way that represents their salon
0:20:34 > 0:20:36without writing their name on it.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Does anybody know what colour Stirling tartan is?
0:20:39 > 0:20:40Yes, green and blue, we've got it.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Right, well, I'll make that just now if you give me the paper.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Doesn't look anything like a traffic cone,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- it looks like a party hat. - Aw, David, come on.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54But for some, the criteria are proving a bit hard to follow.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56What are the things you couldn't say? Mention Glasgow?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59We're not allowed to give it away that it's Buchanan Street,
0:20:59 > 0:21:01cos if we say your name that's it.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02But then we're giving clues in that anyway.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Can you not write Stylist of the Year?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Nah, that will give it away, we can't say that.
0:21:08 > 0:21:09All right, we've got 15 minutes.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Done a wee bit of brainstorming, got some ideas back
0:21:15 > 0:21:17and now they're just trying to put them down on paper.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19So yeah, everything is easy. I'm doing nothing.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22All the shields have been completed and the staff line up to try
0:21:22 > 0:21:25and guess which shield belongs to which salon.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27What's that?
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- That's sheep.- And a farm.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34That's a ball, hockey.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35I don't know.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41With the winner of the shield competition being revealed later on,
0:21:41 > 0:21:45it's time for the art team to give a demonstration.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Let's hear it for your artistic team 2014.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:21:52 > 0:21:55I love this because it's two different textures.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58It's really, really sleek at the sides.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Coming into a lot of curled texture through the top.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04It's going to be created into a kind of mohawk.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05Let's hear it for Nicole.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:22:14 > 0:22:17It's been a great experience for me seeing all these different haircuts
0:22:17 > 0:22:19and even having my own hair cut on stage as well.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21It's just brilliant.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26I enjoyed being up on the stage. I didn't know what to expect
0:22:26 > 0:22:28or realise there was that many people in the company.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30So I kind of got a bit of a shocker like that.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32SHE LAUGHS
0:22:32 > 0:22:36But, nah, it's good. I'm enjoying it. It's really good.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40With hysteria creeping in, and a busy evening ahead,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42John escapes for a bit of 'me time.'
0:22:42 > 0:22:46I decided to give myself a wee break just before all
0:22:46 > 0:22:50the excitement of this evening, by sneaking away for a wee hour.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53But John's main challenge of the day still lies ahead.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57I've just got to calm myself down before doing my wife's hair.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01If you've got to imagine, there's about 150 hairdressers in the room
0:23:01 > 0:23:03so it's full winter plumage.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06While John contemplates his evening...
0:23:09 > 0:23:11..the award for best shield goes to Howard Street.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14One for each hand, Leigh.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18OK, I hope you've had a fantastic day.
0:23:18 > 0:23:217.00 for cocktails. We'll see you then. Thank you very much.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:23:29 > 0:23:32But for Level 2 assistant Mark, it's not been a time to celebrate.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36He was given the all clear from the doctors to wear the latex gloves
0:23:36 > 0:23:39but, unfortunately, that only caused him more problems.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Cos I had the gloves on for quite a long period of time
0:23:44 > 0:23:47my hands would start to get really hot and sweaty in them
0:23:47 > 0:23:49which was then irritating my hands even worse.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54They were bursting and erupting so easily. So, in a way, the gloves
0:23:54 > 0:23:58were just getting me even worse with the sweat going back on them.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02So, sadly for Mark, it means the end of his Rainbow Room career.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06I completed my Level 2 so I'm qualified as a junior stylist.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10I had a talk with my director and it sort of came to a mutual agreement
0:24:10 > 0:24:14that it was best to sort of give me a bit of time out of hairdressing.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19It's not something that I'm going to let get in my way,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21I'll fight against it.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30Back at Congress, it's getting serious as everyone glams up
0:24:30 > 0:24:31for the big awards ceremony.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34It's pretty glamorous.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37It's got to be suitable for a room full of hairdressers, basically.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38Make-up has got to be flawless.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Girls spend weeks getting ready for the Congress.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- Weeks.- It's crazy.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45And a rejuvenated John is pulling out all the stops for wife,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48and salon partner Jo's, hair.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52We're just about to add a blonde hair piece at the back of it,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55a kind of 1950s Marilyn Monroe-type effect.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Hollywood glam is the vibe, that's what we're going for.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Cos it is, it's like the Oscars when you go down there tonight.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04- No pressure. - Everyone really makes a big effort.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Mr John Parker apparently is rumoured to have the same suit.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13I mean, obviously I'll look much better but...
0:25:13 > 0:25:15HE LAUGHS
0:25:15 > 0:25:16But that's just how it will be.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Binky is mindful of some advice she was given about
0:25:21 > 0:25:24mixing business and pleasure.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Have you ever heard, "Don't dip your pen in the company's ink"?
0:25:27 > 0:25:29LAUGHTER
0:25:29 > 0:25:31That's what my Uncle Gerry told me.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33What the hell does that mean?
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Like, you don't dip your pen in the company's ink,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38like, you don't nip anybody in the company because then it's awkward.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40I'm taken.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45Naw, I'm not like that, guys, OK. I'm all-good. Sophisticated.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Walking down the street...
0:25:48 > 0:25:50You know.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51You know.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55With the awards fast approaching,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57the assistants' thoughts turn to who's going to win.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Cos I'm up against my friends, like,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02we're all pals as well and we're all up against each other.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05So it's not weird or awkward or that. But it's weird.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10When you end up with, you know, a dozen or
0:26:10 > 0:26:14so assistants that are short-listed, then everybody's a winner.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16It should be inspiring for them.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27Put your hands together for the boss man himself, Alan Stewart.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Are we ready to rock the house?
0:26:35 > 0:26:37CROWD: Yeah!
0:26:42 > 0:26:47With most of the awards given out, and assistant Demi winning Level 3,
0:26:47 > 0:26:51it's time for the award our Level 2 assistants have been waiting for.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Assistant of the Year Level 2.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58CHEERING
0:27:04 > 0:27:08The portfolios were unbelievable.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13The standard this year was amazing.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16So the winner of Level 2 this year...
0:27:20 > 0:27:21..Katie Marie Gray.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Do you know what, girlfriend deserved it
0:27:33 > 0:27:35so give credit where credit is due.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Onwards and upwards. That's always the motto.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40It's been an amazing night. Obviously I'm gutted I never got
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Assistant of the Year but there's always next year.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48And the final award of the night is for Salon of the Year,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52one of the most competitive in the company.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56So Salon Team of the Year this year...
0:27:57 > 0:27:59..is George Square.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:28:02 > 0:28:06We're absolutely over the moon, we're so proud of our whole team.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08The golden award for the golden team.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10CHEERING
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Next time, the assistants are under pressure
0:28:17 > 0:28:18to host their own catwalk show.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20I'm a little stressed out right now.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Hopefully I don't die.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Stylist Sarah Jane ties the knot.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Och, I'm just dead excited, I just cannae wait.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30And our Level 2 students find out if they're being kept on.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32We have to be very, very clear
0:28:32 > 0:28:34that we're getting the right person through.