BEING A MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING HAIRSTYLIST written by SARA CARBERY
photograph by MARTY MELVILLE
A FALSE START IN ONE PROFESSION HAPPILY LED ANDREW COBELDICK DOWN AN AWARD-WINNING PATH IN COMPLETELY THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. “It all started one day when I tried to be a builder… it basically only lasted a week! So, what was the total opposite of building? Being a hairstylist!” The freedom, creativity and opportunities offered by the hairdressing industry sparked an interest in Andrew he didn’t know he had. “Paths and challenges opened up and the desire for being the best in the industry, and being truly incredible at my craft, really drove me to new heights.” That desire to succeed has seen the 23-year-old win multiple awards, including the L’Oreal Colour Trophy Young Talent, Rodney Wayne Technician of the Year and Rodney Wayne Stylist of the Year, two years running. It has also opened opportunities to travel – to Melbourne, Sydney, New York and all over New Zealand – working at various Fashion Weeks and assisting Rodney Wayne’s Creative Director, Richard Kavanagh, on photoshoots. “These experiences are like no others and are so rewarding,” says Andrew. “Doing the Fashion Weeks is incredible. There’s nothing else quite like them – the build-up, the pressure and the reward. “What I love about my craft is that I have the freedom to create what I desire and have the chance to travel and make people the best version of themselves possible. There’s nothing more satisfying in the world than seeing someone smile.” New York Fashion Week is a long way from Wakefield, the small village where Andrew grew up. In his last year at Waimea College in Nelson (Year 12), he studied Art, Design, English, Geography and PE. Art and Design have proved the most useful subjects, helping him to “understand shapes, colours,
silhouettes and to be really visual inside my head to bring visions to life.” Andrew spent the first year of his HITO apprenticeship working and training in Nelson. At the start of his second year, he moved to Wellington, where he worked for Rodney Wayne and trained one day a week at WelTech. In total, it took him three years to get qualified “and there was nothing greater than not having a student loan and being paid to learn!”
Manners Street and Queensgate. He’s also part of the company’s National Artistic Team. A decade down the track, Andrew would like to be a session stylist, working on big shows and magazines around the world, while remaining part of the Rodney Wayne team. “My biggest advice would be: have passion and love for your craft and you'll go far. Desire and passion go a very long way! But also, just try to keep trying, never give up and love what you do!”
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These days Andrew’s job title is Senior Stylist and Creative Coach for the Rodney Wayne salons at
“What I love about my craft is that I have the freedom to create what I desire and have the chance to travel and make people the best version of themselves possible.” – Andrew Cobeldick
KEY FACTS ■ ANDREW COBELDICK IS A SENIOR STYLIST AND CREATIVE COACH FOR THE RODNEY WAYNE SALONS AT MANNERS STREET AND QUEENSGATE. ■ HE TOOK THREE YEARS TO BECOME QUALIFIED, SPENDING THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS HITO APPRENTICESHIP IN NELSON. YEARS TWO AND THREE WERE IN WELLINGTON WITH RODNEY WAYNE AND TRAINING ONE DAY A WEEK AT WELTECH.
For more information on a career with Rodney Wayne, visit www.rodneywayne.co.nz For more information on hairdressing apprenticeships with HITO, visit www.hito.org.nz For more information on studying hairdressing with WelTec, visit www.weltec.ac.nz LEAVING SCHOOL issue #1 1
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