It was a colourful display of cultural diversity and creative talent through a hair-raising event on campus, and the Jungle theme stood out on hair designs created by 13 graduating students from the Limkokwing Hair Design Academy today.

Student stylists from Tanzania, Iran and Indonesia joined their Malaysian counterparts to stage the dazzling hair show before parents, lecturers and international students. Hairdos and make-up were fashioned after jungle features, with an emphasis on flora and fauna for four seasons. Faces were painted to resemble jungle creatures, matched with the appropriate hairstyles.

The occasion was to mark the completion of the students’ two-year diploma course. And the impact was felt as students turned models walked down the runway to captivate the audience at Wings Plaza.

To show their repertoire of skills learned in two years, the students cut and designed hairdos before a row of senior lecturers. They used leaves and flowers to highlight their hairstyles. The outcome was impressive.

Highly resourceful

Lecturer Irene Wong commented: “It is exciting to watch every graduation hair event where the students show their mettle. Many of them are highly creative and resourceful.

“At the academy, students enjoy the freedom to make their own statement through hair design. They explore research, discover and excel. Also, they learn about other key elements like marketing and management.”

In collaboration with L’Oreal, the academy runs industry-driven courses for local and international students. With the professional exposure, they are able to operate their own salons when they graduate. Or they can choose to be top-flight stylists, consultants and marketers.

“It is not all about getting a professional diploma in hair design,” explains the academy’s principal, Xander Loh. “Student go through hands-on, real-life experience. They learn to manage, promote and communicate. In short, they gain more than a qualification.

“For the event, they spent nearly two months to plan, think up ideas and stage it, all on their own. Lecturers acted as advisers, but the real work was done by the students, from start to finish. And they did prove they are qualified to carve out their own careers.”