SIHHTLS403A
Work as a session stylist

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to create finished hair designs for events, film sets, photographic studios or platform work.

Application

This unit applies to senior hairdressers who work in and outside the salon preparing hair for fashion parades, hair shows, hairdressing technical seminars, platform demonstrations, training sessions and fashion shoots. Session styling may also take place in television, film and theatre settings.

This role involves research, communication, analysis, planning and then selecting, combining and applying a broad range of products, tools and equipment to create finished hair colours and designs. Finished designs may be creative, classic, current and historical; or in character for events, photographic assignments, film sets, catwalks or platform work. Session stylists may work individually or with other professionals such as make-up artists, fashion designers, photographers, photographic stylists, models and also in session stylist teams.

A person undertaking this role applies discretion and judgement accepts responsibility for outcomes of own work and provides technical leadership in hairdressing teams.


Prerequisites

SIHHTLS401A Provide technical leadership within the hairdressing context


Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Interpret the creative brief.

1.1. Analyse the objectives of the script or fashion session to determine overall design concepts.

1.2. Participate in preliminary concept meetings with relevant personnel to discuss the hair design requirements for the type of production.

1.3. Identify relevant factors that may determine and affect the finished designs.

2. Conduct and evaluate research and planning.

2.1. Undertake research and analyse findings to develop hair design concepts.

2.2. Organise research materials, findings and documentation for use throughout the design development process, and update as required.

2.3. Generate initial concepts against the research findings and discuss with relevant personnel.

3. Consult and discuss finished design.

3.1. Consult and examine the model or performer physically and visually to establish specific requirements.

3.2. Confirm finished hair designs appropriate to the character, performance, production or event in consultation with relevant personnel.

4. Create current, creative and period hair designs.

4.1. Select and use products, materials, tools and techniques appropriate to the established design results.

4.2. Reflect a predetermined era accurately in finished hair designs, where relevant to the production or event.

4.3. Ensure comfort and safety of the model or performer during each stage of the process.

4.4. Complete finished hair designs within required timeframes.

4.5. Confirm director or coordinator and model or performer satisfaction with finished hair design.

4.6. Document finished hair designs for future performances, events or continuity purposes.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills in order to:

participate in concept meetings

discuss research findings with relevant production personnel

brief other team members

negotiate and confirm finished hair designs with relevant personnel

interact with models and performers

interact with other production professionals

participate in creative teams

research skills to:

use the internet, print and film media sources to identify contemporary and period hair designs that were popular in specific eras

source garments and materials

design and planning skills to develop hair colour and design concepts that match a creative brief

literacy skills to document and record finished hair designs for future performances, events or continuity purposes

technical skills to:

use a broad range of products and equipment

attach and incorporate hairpieces and ornaments in hair designs

use a broad range of products and techniques

use a variety of tool to achieve haircut structures

problem-solving skills to manage design and technical contingencies that arise

numeracy skills to:

calculate and manage product quantities

minimise waste

achieve outcomes in agreed timeframes

Required knowledge

the elements and principles of design and their combination and application for a wide variety of finished hair designs

the history of contemporary and period hair design, including eras and their popular designs and colours

a broad range of technical knowledge in the selection, safe application and effects of colour and lightening products

a broad range of technical knowledge in the selection, safe application and effects of chemical reformation products on the hair

the care and maintenance of, and techniques for attaching, human and synthetic hairpieces

the hairdressing product range available for the session

relevant occupational health and safety procedures

procedures to ensure the comfort and safety of client model or performer and operator

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

planning and negotiating with other production team members, to take into account any cultural or physical requirements, and to ensure model or performer comfort and safety throughout the presentation

sourcing and organising equipment and props, including garments for a platform presentation

applying the elements and principles of design and a broad range of technical hairdressing skills to create creative, contemporary and period hair designs

applying a range of classic and current hair designs on short, medium and long hair in short turnaround times

applying relevant occupational health and safety and health regulation requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

session styling settings, such as events, film sets, photographic studios or platform work

library, internet and film media research sources

a range of hairdressing products, equipment, hair accessories, props and audiovisual resources

relevant occupational health and safety and health regulations.

For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the learner performing a range of tasks in session styling environments, over sufficient time to demonstrate their handling of a range of contingencies. Tasks may include:

researching and planning for a hair show, sourcing models, garments, props and equipment and conducting rehearsals where required

designing and applying finished looks, incorporating colour, chemical reformation and haircutting or design services according to an agreed plan

responding to a creative brief to lead a small team completing hair designs for a fashion parade

case studies that involve researching and planning and creating period hair styles for filming or a catwalk event

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party reports of on-the-job performance.

Guidance information for assessment

A unit of competency describes an individual skill but people rarely perform one skill at a time. Many skills are combined on a day-to-day basis in the workplace as part of work processes. This does not mean that each skill described by a unit of competency is prerequisite to another—they are related skills.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, salon and job role is recommended, for example:

SIHHHCS410A Design and perform creative haircuts

SIHHHDS406A Design and apply creative long hair designs

SIHHHDS407A Apply and maintain wigs and hairpieces


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Overall design concepts may include:

hair designs

total looks

current, creative or period designs

elements of design

principles of design

overall design concepts.

Types of productions may include:

feature films

advertisements

theatre

television

fashion shoots

hair fashion shoots

hair shows

in-salon presentations

technical workshops.

Research materials may include:

fashion magazines

history books

photographs, paintings and illustrations from a particular period

film and video

the internet

manufacturer materials

design concept, fashion or stage.

Documentation must include:

overall design concepts

folio including photographs and sketches

haircut structural graphics

technical notes on chemical processes

manual files

computer database.

Relevant personnel may include:

director

event coordinator

presentation team member

costume designer

fashion designer

choreographer

makeup artist

photographic stylist

photographer.

Finished hair designs may include:

colour effects

chemical curling and volumising effects

chemical straightening effects

haircut structures

temporary straight and curved design finishes for direction, volume, curl, waves and texture

wigs and hairpieces

hair ornaments.

A predetermined era may include:

historical period

current period

futuristic period

forecasting of looks.


Sectors

Hairdressing


Competency Field

Technical Leadership


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.