Anyone can cut hair, but few can create works of art like Ashley Sutherland Todd and Judi Wong.
The Dunedin duo have qualified to compete in the Oceanic Hairdressing Master Awards later this year, when they will pit their skills against some of the best hairdressers in Australia and New Zealand.
For Mr Sutherland Todd, it will be the second time he has made the cut. He won the inaugural award in 2004.
But for Ms Wong, it will be the first time she has qualified, and she is excited about the opportunity.
"It's couture. It's an opportunity to step outside the boundaries of a normal hair salon and show your talent and skills - to do something really different."
Mr Sutherland Todd said there was a fine line in couture hair styling between creating something people from all walks of life found pleasing and something which was too far-out for fashion.
"I want to create something that will make the judges say 'How did he put that together' rather than 'oh, I've seen that before'.
"I prefer to do a style that people will look at and go 'wow' rather than cringe.
"As long as it's beautiful and pleasing to the eye ..."
While his goal was to win back the international title, it would not be easy, he said.
"This has been running for the last eight years now, and it's grown in strength since I last competed.
"There will be some really tough competition, but I'm excited to give it another go."
Mr Sutherland Todd qualified for the Australasian competition after winning the 2012 South Canterbury Oceanic Hairdressing Master Overall Champion award, and Ms Wong won the right to take part when she won the equivalent award at the Otago awards earlier this month.
The pair will be among about 30 hair stylists competing at the Oceanic Hairdressing Master Awards in Auckland in October.
