Local Hairdresser Wins Gold at OMC Hair World European Championship
Local hair artist and salon owner, Lina Shamoun, recently won gold at the OMC Hair World European Championship held in Paris, France September 19-21, 2015 at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles Convention Centre.
Seven stylists from across Canada, represented Team Canada at the annual competition –
including 31 year old Shamoun and Kenneth Hiebert from Winnipeg. The two stylists took gold and silver respectively in the Woman’s Progressive Cut and Style category. A Canadian has not received the top honour at the European Championships since the 1980s.
“It was an honour representing Canada at the OMC European Championship, competing at that level has been what I call ‘the highlight of my hairdressing competition journey’,” remarks Shamoun. “We were surprised with our wins, mine and Ken’s. I couldn’t believe when my name was called after announcing that Canada had won the Gold.”
As the world’s largest professional hairstylists’ organization, OMC Hair World hosts the highest level international hairstyling competitions. This year’s OMC Hair World European Championship drew more than 700 competitors from 36 countries who competed in 30 categories.
“Hairdressing has always been a lifestyle, not a career, for me. It’s an honour and a privilege to be a Canadian Team Member for the International Competitions that take place around the Globe,” Shamoun notes.
Shamoun and Hiebert will also compete in the OMC World Championships in Seoul, Korea in March 2016. This bi-annual event, known as the “hair Olympics”, is the top international competition for stylists.
Ms. Shamoun has been a member of Team Canada at the OMC Hair World Championships six times. She competed in Moscow 2006, Chicago 2008, Paris 2010, Milan 2012, and Frankfurt 2014.
About Lina Shamoun and Artline Salon
Iraqi-born Lina Shamoun is the owner and head stylist at Artline Salon, which launched in 2007. Ms. Shamoun has been nominated as the KW Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year seven times. In 2015, she also received her second nomination for a KW Oktoberfest Rogers Women of the Year award.
Along with her parents and four siblings, Ms. Shamoun came to Canada as an immigrant when she was 14 years old. After learning English and completing high school, she apprenticed as a hair stylist. With a strong desire to give back to the community, through the Business and Education Partnership Program of Waterloo Region, Shamoun speaks at local high schools on entrepreneurship. Since Artline’s inception, Shamoun has trained 15-20 co-op students and 5 apprentices. Shamoun also judges Skills Canada competitions and trains high school teachers to help students to compete successfully. In addition, she fosters cooperation among local salons through an annual charity event called Hair United.
Artline Salon is a full service salon, including aesthetics, for women, men and children located in the Belmont Village of Kitchener. Known for out-of-the ordinary styles, including intricate hair tattoos and vibrant colours, Artline employs six full-time stylists and staff. With their advanced technique, skill, and creativity, Artline staff have received many awards in regional, national, and international styling competitions.
About OMC Hairworld
Started in 1946, OMC is the world’s largest professional hairstylists’ organization. OMC offers advanced styling courses and organizes international competitions. OMC unites individual hairstylists into organizations in member countries. Each member country is represented by delegates who can vote and hold positions on the Zone and World Boards. The World Organization is represented by a Board of Directors, composed of Global Directors and Zone Presidents. http://omchairworld.com
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