Hair Style 2008

HAIR STYLE 08 was held in Rotterdam on 20 & 21 April. In spite of the fact that it was the first weekend of glorious spring weather, an amazing number of visitors poured in to Ahoy for the 4th trade fair for hair stylists. After the doors had closed, the event had clocked up a very successful 22.853 visitors: 12 887 on the Sunday and 9 966 on the Monday. That was virtually the same number of visitors as in Rotterdam in 2006 and 9% more that at the last event in Kortrijk in 2007. The hairdressers of the Netherlands turned up again en masse and the atmosphere was exciting and dynamic!
 
With 170 exhibitors and an extremely varied programme, HAIR STYLE was once again the number one place to be for all hair stylists who want to keep up with the latest trends and find new inspiration for their art. The new colouring products, the latest design washbasins, trendy accessories and handy tools: all this and much more was eagerly examined and assessed by thousands of professionals. Exhibitors welcomed visitors to the most eye-catching, luxurious stands. This year, 31% of the exhibitors were new participants taking part - successfully - in HAIR STYLE for the first time!
 
The 3rd Innovation Award competition for the best new product was a very popular event once again, with a total of 47 products entered. A jury of professionals from the sector made a preliminary selection of 23 entries, and these were displayed on the new products stand at the event. The winner of the prize attributed by the public (all professional hair stylists) was the Karim Rashid I-wash by Guy Sarlemijn: the first ever wash unit with an i-pod connection, an air-massage system with electric waves and shiatsu massage, and a cromotherapy hood for colour stimulation treatment. The second prize went to the Joico Design Collection of styling products and the third prize to L Oréal Professionnel s Cover 5 , the first colouring shampoo that masks grey hair in five minutes.
 
The HAIR STYLE trade fair showcased a total overview of products and innovations, but that is not all: it was also a real source of inspiration and motivation for the whole sector. The spectacular show programme was immensely popular and almost every show pulled in a full house, especially the Kinki Kappers show, which had the theatre hall packed out! The many Look & Learn Colors sessions presenting the latest hair colour trends for this year were also full to capacity every time. Colour is obviously very popular! A new venture this year, at the specific request of our visitors, was the black hair area. With continuous show presentations focusing on Afro styles, the new zone was extremely popular! The Hairfashion Awards were presented on the main podium on Monday afternoon. Nienke Broos and Dominic Vleer of ROC Midden Nederland in Utrecht won the final round with their daring transformations.
 
With almost 23 000 visitors and extremely satisfied exhibitors, HAIR STYLE has once again proved that it is the place to be for the hairdressing sector in the Benelux. We are already looking forward to the next HAIR STYLE, which will be held in Kortrijk Xpo in Belgium on 15 & 16 February 2009.
 
Hair Style 08 Photos: