East Durham College student Rayna Kovacheva has won 2 awards at the first annual Concept Hair Apprentice of the Year competition.
We’re thrilled to report that Rayna won her category (Level 2 styling) themed around the 1920s with a glamorous and elegant style on model Jess Parker.
Rayna, 26, who lives in Langley Park, was later surprised with the news that she was also given the Fellowship Spotlight Award, meaning she’s now part of a group recognised as the top upcoming hairstylists in the country.
The competition was launched this year by Concept Hair Magazine and had a range of sponsors including L'Oréal Professionnel, Cloud Nine, and Whal.
We chatted to Rayna after she won, who said just how much it meant to her: “All the work, everything, it’s all finally paid off.”
“It’s the first competition I’ve ever done so I wasn’t expecting much from it, but nevertheless I practiced for about 2 months before it.”
It didn’t all go to plan for Rayna however, who turned to Jess for help at the eleventh hour. “My model had to cancel last minute so 20 minutes before I started I had to find another model. I had to compromise because her hair was completely different to what I’d planned and practised for, but I made it work.”
Telling the tale of how she found out, Rayna said: “I was at work, I’m a cleaner, and I was just on my phone constantly refreshing. And I saw my picture and I was crying and jumping.”
The final was held virtually this year, rather than being live as originally planned, for safety reasons, and each of the finalists was asked to complete their hair work at home, college or in-salon.
Rayna was then judged by a panel expert judges - Andrew Barton, Fellowship for British Hairdressing Chancellor Ashleigh Hodges, Wahl Global Artistic Director Simon Shaw, Jamie Brooks, co-owner of prestigious London salon Brooks & Brooks and VTCT’s Apprenticeship Business Development Manager Jacqui McIntosh.
Rayna also praised the support and guidance of the staff at EDC. “My teachers have been incredible; they’re always inspiring me and helping me. It took me a while to get used to hair, but they always stood by me, always supported me.”
“I came to EDC because I knew I needed to do something for me to get myself a job. Only once I started, I then fell in love with hair.”
“The training at EDC is so good. As a speaker of English as a second language the Lee Stafford videos are so helpful. Once I’ve seen Lee do it, and once the teacher does it and then I get to do it and I understand.”
East Durham College offers a specialised hairdressing course in partnership with Lee Stafford Education. Founded by the celebrity hairstylist, the course ensures that students are savvy on the latest trends and receive the best possible hairdressing education available in our region.
Adding her congratulations, East Durham College Principal Suzanne Duncan said: “Everyone at East Durham College is immensely proud of Rayna, she really gave it her all, and we’re thrilled she’s reaped the rewards of her hard work. Rayna’s success is a product of excellent support from all the staff at our Lee Stafford Training Academy, who’ve inspired and encouraged here to persevere, even in this challenging year. It’s always a pleasure to see our students achieving recognition in national competitions, and Rayna is no exception. Congratulations Rayna!”
f you’d like further details about studying Hairdressing at East Durham College, please check out the Hairdressing Course Section >> or call 0191 518 8222.
