Two SIT hairdressing students have made the national top 10 in one of New Zealand's most prestigious bridal hair competitions — and they've only been at this for 18 months.
Haylee Clark and Holly Wolf, both second-year students at the Southern Institute of Technology, were announced as finalists in the 2026 NZHA Patrick Cameron Bridal Challenge: Next Generation, part of the New Zealand Hairdressing Association's annual creative awards. They submitted professional photographs of their finished bridal hair-ups, and judges chose them from entries submitted across the country.
Their tutor, Helen Lee, believes it's the first time SIT has entered the Patrick Cameron Award. She's thrilled — but not entirely surprised.
"I thought it would be a good opportunity for our students to experience competition work… I spoke to the class about entering and three students volunteered," Lee said.
Having two of her students claim spots in the national top 10 is, by any measure, a result. "These students have only been in the industry for about 18 months. They could be competing against entrants with almost four years' experience," Lee said.
The Next Generation category is open to students, trainees, or anyone qualified for less than four years. It exists, as Lee puts it, "to celebrate the talent who are the future of the profession."
The competition brief this year called for soft curls, intricate braids and elegant looks — romantic and aspirational. "Entrants are encouraged to create whatever they think a bridal hairstyle looks like," Lee said. The judge behind that brief is Patrick Cameron MBE, a UK-based New Zealander with a long reputation in the industry. "Patrick has run this bridal competition for many years. He's considered a guru of bridal hair and long hair," Lee explains.
For Haylee, the news landed like a small explosion. "I was so shocked. It still hasn't really sunk in, what I've achieved." She drew inspiration from Cameron's own style books, flicking through images until something clicked. "I found inspiration from different images which helped me create a new hairstyle."
Holly's reaction was almost identical — which is saying something, because she'd already talked herself out of making it. "It was a gigantic shock… Honestly, I was telling myself that it wasn't going to happen, but I was super proud of what I had done.. I was really amazed…"
Her entry came together through a process of trial and adaptation. "…I had done one on a mannequin a wee while ago and I adapted that to get the style that I wanted. You've got to work with the hair type that you have and adapt to what's going to suit it best."
As for winning the whole thing? Neither student has had much time to go there mentally. They don't need to. "Just being in that top 10 is more than enough for us, even if neither of us win, it does feel like we've won already," Holly said.
Both are attending the awards evening on November 1, held at the Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre. There will be shopping involved. They're planning to do each other's hair for the occasion.
"We're quite blessed with both of us being finalists and to be able to experience it together. This is such an amazing achievement for us and we're really, really proud of ourselves," Holly said.
Lee, who was herself a finalist in a national hairdressing competition back in 2017, knows what that room feels like. "The awards ceremony is attended by many of the leading figures in New Zealand hairdressing. It's a major gala event," she said. "Seeing your work displayed on the big screen in front of the industry's leading professionals is an incredible experience."
She's attending with fellow tutor Trish Dowling, and she's not understating what this moment could mean for two students who haven't even finished their training yet. "For many young people, confidence is one of the biggest challenges. Opportunities like this can be life changing. It means far more than simply being named a finalist."
Their qualification — a two-year programme combining Level 3 and Level 4 — was only introduced in 2024. When they graduate at the end of this year, they'll be fully qualified. Both are already doing work experience in local Invercargill salons and are planning to stay in the city.
"When they graduate, they'll be fully qualified hairdressers. I would describe them as emerging stylists. They have all the foundational skills and qualifications and will continue developing their craft in industry," Lee said.
For Lee, their gratitude meant as much as the result. "Their responses reflect what this achievement means to them. For me, it isn't about recognition. It's about seeing them receive the accolades they deserve."
The winners will be announced at The New Zealand Hair Awards on November 1.