Kay Matthews, Owner of Madison Avenue Salon in Seattle, is the winner of the 2009 Northwest Stylist Cover Contest.

Kay explains her concept in the June issue of NW Stylist: "My vision started with the Barbie. I wanted a modern futuristic version of the Barbie," she remarked. "I created the hair with extensions at the salon in about an hour."

Kay used professional photographer Barry Druxman, in Bellevue, WA. Barry offers portfolio and model comp cards, amongst his other work.

Kay has won the Northwest Stylist Cover Contest three times, including this year. Kay Matthews is also a 2003 North American Hairstylist Award winner in the Texture category.

Kay expressed her thoughts on why she won the contest an unprecedented three times: "I think I won because of my passion for the business and my attention to detail," Kay explained. "Just entering this contest sets you apart from many stylists. It says you are taking genuine interest in your career and that requires a strong desire and skill."

The full article and pictures of the winning look and all runner-ups can be found at Northwest Style Magazine.

Visit Kay's web site for more of her work: http://www.kaymatthews.com/index.htm

We at Capelli d'Oro are encouraged to see so many Washington and Oregon stylists taking part in this worthwhile event and concur with Kay Matthews that involvement in this contest can inspire stylists and salons. It can be a bridge to wider recognition and a powered-up salon culture.

In the same issue, an article about a Bellevue hair show, written by Edward Paul and Daniel Lassman, and including photography by Daniel, was published.

The show was a reunion of the legendary Visions team, which included Marv Smith, R J Jones, Richard Brassfield, Peter Lee and Michael Hall.

This team stormed the Northwest and toured much of the USA and the world in past decades to great acclaim.

The full article of the show may be found here.