Maire Johnson has been crowned the winner of the Best Emerging Talent award at the Photographic Best of the Best Hairdressers competition. The 21-year-old from Ballydavid in Dingle, Co Kerry has scooped the top prize at the awards ceremony, a pivotal industry event, which took place in the Mansion House in Dublin last week.
Maire’s edgy and fashion-forward up-style was awarded the winning style by the judging panel made up of world-renowned and independent hairdressers. Maire, who has trained and worked with one of Ireland’s most highly-regarded hairdressers and celebrity stylist Cathriona Rohan of Cathriona’s Hair Salon in Castlegregory since she was 17 years of age, was the youngest of five shortlisted finalists in the category.
“I am so thrilled and completely shocked to have won. This is a very prestigious industry award to win so I’m very proud and delighted to have won it so early in my career. I’m very grateful to Cathriona for my training and for pushing me always to be creative and the best that I can be in my profession. Having the confidence to experiment and hone and perfect new skills while learning each day is the best training anyone could ask for.” Maire’s passion and flair for hairdressing saw her quickly becoming a qualified hairdresser after which she went on to graduate with a Master’s degree in colour with Alfa Parf and in cutting from SACO in London.
Cathriona Rohan who owns three salons in Kerry – two in Tralee and one in Castlegregory said: “We are extremely proud of Maire and are very lucky to have her as part of our team. She is incredibly deserving of the award for her dedication, commitment, creativity and ability to believe in ideas while at all times staying true to the needs of clients”.
For more information see www.cathrionashairsalon.com.