Step Up & Shine Scholar Ollie Vines rounds off an amazing year with mentor Debbie G

Step Up & Shine Scholarship winner Ollie Vines took part in his final education session this week. A precision cutting course with his mentor Debbie G held at the ASK Academy in London.

Ollie Vines, from Heaven Hair in Salisbury, has enjoyed twelve months of bespoke training after winning his scholarship place on the scheme – a joint initiative from The Fellowship for British Hairdressing and The NHBF in memory of industry legend Christofer Mann.

“It was good to spend my last Step Up & Shine day with Debbie,” said Ollie. “She’s been a total inspiration to me over the last year and it was great to have a chance to learn precision cutting skills from her – she’s so talented.”

The day involved discussions around the culture and history of hair and an opportunity to work on block heads to create both a classic graduated bob and a round graduation with disconnections.

“I learned so much. How to soften graduation, how to refine outlines and how important it is to get cutting angles right. We also recapped on the wrap drying technique and how to perfect my finish.

I loved everything about the day and left feeling really inspired. Debbie gave me lots of career advice, too and shared some really interesting aspects of her journey which I know will help me as I navigate mine!”

Ollie finishes his Step Up & Shine journey in March. The search for a new recipient is well under way with the judging process due to culminate in the announcement of a new Step Up & Shine recipient at The Fellowship President’s Night in April.