Mentorship for hair stylists is welcome

Hair needs the existence of carriers to survive. PHOTO | FOTOSEARCH

What you need to know:

  • TAHA is something of an exclamation mark against the semi colon of The Hair Raising Conference.
  • Pre judging simulates a salon setting except with an excitable audience and panel of judges.
  • Over 300 were disqualified for failing the simple test of filling in application forms.

Hair needs the existence of carriers to survive. If it were not for cojones, there would be so little we could do with hair. Being so visual, it is a critical part of the human face, whether it sits on the head or barely exists. 2018 was my 3rd sitting as judge at The Afro Hair Awards (TAHA).

Held in two parts, 16 November, the pre judging, 17 November, TAHA is hitting its stride in year five. Like any other event it has its glitches. But unlike other local events it finds bigger ways to express its purpose.

The Awards Gala brought together over 500 hair stylists from legends like Farouk Jannedy (but he only goes by one name like Rihanna oBeyoncéce), winner, Honorary Award 2017 to newbies who believe hair is the perfect avenue for self-determination.

TAHA is something of an exclamation mark against the semi colon of The Hair Raising Conference. Both are more than events. They have become platforms. One is about education and information, the latter about sharpening the blunt edges of an industry growing so fast it needs laws to govern it.

The prejudging is, in and of itself, the highlight. TAHA had well over 500 entries this year. Over 300 were disqualified for failing the simple test of filling in application forms.

Pre judging simulates a salon setting except with an excitable audience and panel of judges ranging from the international, Jackson Mutebi, the practising experts like Pascal Maithya and Janki Patel, who are epic in the art and science of cut and colour across hair types, my Cowellish self to Susan Obado, teacher extraordinaire and deserving winner of 2018 Honorary Award.

CREATIVES

The path to the stage is arduous. It is more than the elimination of competitors to end up in the top five. Before the event, contestants meet mentors who understand their categories at an almost intrinsic level. This separates the weaves from the shafted.

A particularly disappointing category this year was Weavologist of the Year, one that judges unanimously scrapped, thanks to lack of growth and curiosity. The best way to showcase the impact of TAHA is in the avante garde and colourist categories, both showcases so spectacular they have to turn competitors into interpreters of pop culture.

It was also very obvious just how much mentorship is needed for creatives. Not the traditional corporate kind. Sometimes it comes in the form of clients who trust in their hair stylists so thoroughly they fly to Nairobi to show support.

TAHA found a distinct way to channel mentorship during the competitive season and as part of an award. More often than not, award shows give trophies and certificates with a brief period of glory for the winner. The disappointing part is you are then left on your own.

Aside from three months’ worth hair products, TAHA roped in Safaricom Platinum. All 15 trophy-winners will benefit from Safaricom’s largesse via a 14-week mentorship programme with Centonomy. They who have trained many an entrepreneur.

This fully paid for Safaricom-sponsored programme gift to TAHA 2018 winners does what a solid mentorship is designed to, only accelerated. It teaches them how to be entrepreneurs running successful business, business and personal branding to managing finances. Then, in a reality-show worthy conclusion, the said winners will take part in a business challenge.

Whoever wins gets even more stuff, in this case salon equipment worth Sh300,000. You must be wondering what is in it for Safaricom Platinum. Turns out they too, like TAHA and its founder Muli Musyoka, share a goal — inspiring the growth and the rise to excellence in Kenya’s hair industry.