A Red Deer hair stylist’s talents will soon be on display in salons across Canada.
The carefully coiffed hair of Lacombe model Bronwyn Reeves dominates the cover of the February issue of Canadian Hairdresser Magazine. It represents the creative work of Mia Vanderzwaag, a manager at Chatters Salon in Parkland Mall.
Vanderzwaag earned the cover shot by being named Stylist of the Year at Chatters Canada’s Stylist Connection and Makeover Challenge in Red Deer in October. She and Reeves — as well as the two runners-up and their models — subsequently travelled to Montreal for a photo session for Canadian Hairdresser.
Vanderzwaag said that experience was as inspirational as seeing her work on the cover of a national trade magazine with a circulation of 34,000.
“I was surrounded by a lot of professionals who are masters of the art,” she said.
The preparation of Reeves’ hair involved the shared vision of Vanderzwaag, the photographer, the makeup artist and the person responsible for Reeves’ wardrobe. Although the style was similar to the one that won Vanderzwaag her award in Red Deer, she thinks the Montreal version was an improvement.
“A little bit more polished, thanks to a lot of educating from the people around me there.”
Vanderzwaag has yet to get her hands on the magazine, but plans to collect “a big stack.” She has seen the online version, and is pleased with the result and optimistic about its impact on her career.
“It’s definitely a turning point for me.”
The 26-year-old native of Halifax has worked as a hair stylist for eight years, the last 6 1/2 with Chatters in Red Deer. She was also named Stylist of the Year at Chatters’ annual convention two years ago.
Vanderzwaag said much of the credit for her skills belongs to the dozen stylists she works with.
“They inspire me every day,” she said, adding that the group learns from each other.
The February edition of Canadian Hairdresser Magazine, which is produced 10 times a year by Harco Publishing Co., also contains a story about Chatters’ Stylist Connection and Makeover Challenge. Additional photos of Vanderzwaag, her runners-up and their work appear there.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com