Literature is root of success for hairstylist

During the high-end hairstyle art show hosted by leading salon brand L'Oreal Professionnel on March 1 at the West Bund Art Center in Shanghai, a special guest was invited to display his designs.

Zhang Jingwang, the Global Hairstylist Winner of 2023 L'Oreal Professionnel Style& Colour Trophy, took part in this year's Le Hair Show.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-French diplomatic relations, the show was divided into three segments that presented the hairstyles of the past, present, and future in both two countries, and showcased their close friendship.

Accompanied by music, dance, and on-site painting, Zhang and 59 other leading hairstylists created an immersive sensory feast that integrated art and hairstyles.

The finals of the 2023 L'Oreal Professionnel Style & Colour Trophy, hosted at the end of last year at the company's Paris headquarters, invited six outstanding stylists selected from 105,000 contestants to create their own cutting-edge style in nine hours on site.

Zhang won the first championship for China. He explains that his winning style was inspired by Bo Yi, an auspicious beast that has the body of a goat, nine tails, four ears, and eyes on its back, and appears in the ancient text Shan Hai Jing (Classics of the Mountains and Seas).

"As a beast from ancient Chinese mythology, Bo Yi is gentle, but bold and fearless at heart," says the 29-year-old. "I want to bring Chinese aesthetics and stories to the world."

He says that focus, persistence, and constant practice are the reasons for his success. In the half month leading up to the finals, he locked himself in a room and practiced until midnight every day.

Zhang grew up in Beijing. He studied hairdressing at a vocational school after graduating from middle school and has participated in many competitions. Involved in the industry for a long time, he says Chinese hairdressing sector has undergone many changes over the years.

"People are paying more attention to creativity and originality. Everyone wants to do something new and unique, like I did in the L'Oreal competition," he says.

"Due to improvements to the quality of life, people now have higher requirements for hairdressing and hairstylists, so Chinese hairdressing techniques have greatly improved."

Zhang also frequently attends Shanghai Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week and learns a lot from French hairstylists. "From a technical perspective, Chinese hairstylists are already very skilled," he adds.

Alongside Zhang, Lyu Chuanping, a graduate student majoring in digital media art at the China Academy of Art, won the 3D Artist award at the 2023 L'Oreal Professionnel Style & Colour Trophy. Inspired by the Buddha statue in the grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu province, Lyu combined traditional Chinese culture with modern virtual technology to create a magical effect.

For Zhang, the championship is a beginning. "I want young hairstylists to know that skill will always be the most important pillar supporting a long-term career," he says.