RUSH LIVE 2017

Bigger and more exciting than ever, RUSH Live was once more back in the Salon Live Theatre at Salon International. For seven years the team at RUSH Hair have been raising invaluable funds for GOSH, and as co-founder and joint CEO, Stell Andrew reiterated in his opening speech, “just by being here tonight, you are helping save someone’s child or grandchild’s life.” Stell then went on to introduce Catherine from GOSH, who spoke about how the vital funds raised helped so much.

Stell then welcomed International Creative Director, Andy Heasman and International Colour Director, Chris Williams to the stage, who introduced the newly opened RUSH Academy to the audience. “Creativity is in our DNA,” said Andy, “and at the new Rush Academy we plan to educate, motivate and inspire everyone who attends and to take them on a journey that will develop their skills and creativity.” Chris then went on to introduce the opening section of the show from his colour protégé MJ Farmer.

RUSH Artistic Team member MJ’s Geometrics presentation in collaboration with L’Oreal opened the show. Initially presented at this year's L’Oréal Colour Trophy, MJ showcased beautiful geometric shapes brought to life with visionary colour palates, showing how colour can add a new, bold dimension to a haircut. Veils and hidden panels were revealed to show strong, colourful geometric patterns.

Chris introduced the RUSH Colour Team onto the stage, who worked on colouring hair for the Tom Boy section of the show. The team worked on a more androgynous colour palate than we have seen over past seasons – natural muted shades on a cooler base, lighter browns and muted peach and pink pastels provide a palate that is the perfect foil for Tom Boy.

The next part of the show transported us into another world, finalist for Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year and RUSH Artistic Team member Seung Ki Baek took to the stage and brought to life his Luminescent Collection. Deep Sea Creatures met Avatar when glow in the dark iridescent and ultra violet lighting highlight the stunning shapes Baek has created. Complex basket weaves and a variety of textures project stand out shapes showcasing the intricacy of Baek’s work.

It was the Session Team, led by Editorial Director, Tina Farey who took to the stage next. Tina and the team presented looks from the RUSH Artistic Team’s Lost Rebels collection, which has finalised for Artistic Team of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards.

Taking us to a wasteland as dawn is breaking, the team presented shattered shapes and jagged outlines, the opposing yet complimentary colours of dawn and sunset with multi textured looks inspired by the windswept thatched texture found on the desolate and dusty land.

Andy Heasman returned to the stage along with RUSH Education Director, Paola Pinto and the Workshop Team to present the cutting techniques of Tom Boy. Modern day activists Ruby Rose, Adowa Aboa and Edie Campbell are the muses of the Tom Boy collection.

Blurring lines and showcasing a fusion of masculine and feminine shapes, complimented by subtle, cool yet natural tones to create the stand out, second glance looks of Tom Boy.

Referencing New York’s Episcene sub-culture, sophisticated and androgynous along with the recent Burberry campaign. International Creative Director, Andy Heasman and the RUSH team worked on combining both square and round shapes, breaking some rules along the way to create something very beautiful and unique.

The evening ended all too soon with a fantastic finale showcasing all the models from each section of the show. Andy brought the evening to a close thanking sponsors L’Oréal, iSalon, KMS, Maletti, Balmain, and Hairdressers Journal and the audience for helping to raise funds for such a worthy cause. “Tonight, was about raising money for a great charity, the Great Ormond Street Hospital, as well as sharing our creative ideas.”