Though only in the second year of her hairdressing apprenticeship, Riverland talent, Maiya Rice, has taken definitive steps in the Australian hair industry.

Earlier this year Ms Rice, apprentice of Berri Salon Jarahs Hair, was named the Regional Cut and Colour Winner at the 2024 CURATE Awards.

A digital competition that was created to attract the finest urban and regional apprentice talent in Australia. The 2024 CURATE Awards required entrants to show an exciting ‘hair vision’ through the creation and editing of a two-minute video showcasing cutting, colouring, and styling skills.

Entering three unique hair looks into the awards — which all became finalists — the look that won Ms Rice her place among three other Australian apprentices was a pink shag.

After brainstorming and creating a mood-board, Ms Rice dyed her model’s hair blonde and cut the shape, before colouring the style pink “for a bit of edge”.

“I like to make things that are outside the box,” she said.

“I love to colour hair and see it as a canvas — be able to play with texture and shape and see it all come together.

“No one typically wants to walk around with a pink shag, so (the competition) was a real creative outlet for me.”

As part of her big win, Maiya joined the three other winners of the CURATE Awards in Sydney for a full-day workshop with an industry photographer and makeup artist to develop another fashion-forward look.

“I had never worked on a photoshoot so I had no idea what to expect,” Ms Rice said.

“The great thing about the photoshoot was that it had a very broad creative brief that was very 90s supermodel — it ticked all the boxes of what I love to do.”

Along with mentoring from Australian Hairdressing Industry Awards Creative Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2023, Justin Pace, Ms Rice saw her creative vision come to life.

“I learnt so much,” she said.

“The photographer broke down what aspects of hairstyling was important to what a photographer sees.

“I have done a couple more photoshoots (of creative work) since then and they have gone really well.”

Mr Pace said he was thrilled to honour Maiya.

“There was such a high calibre of entries, particularly for the first ever year of a brand-new industry competition,” he said.

“Maiya and our other three worthy winners are all testament to the up and coming talent that we have in Australia and I can’t wait to watch them go on the CURATE adventure.

“They are the first to show all our apprentices that this platform can become an integral part of every hairdresser’s career journey.”

Currently mentored by Jarahs Hair co-owners Kristy Hodgson and Maria Vaughan, Maiya said that the salon had given her the foundation to thrive.

“I love working at (Jarahs Hair) and I love Kristy and Maria.”

There has been so much education and training, and just having their support just means the world to me.

“They’re like family.”

Ms Hodgson said that the salon was “super excited for Maiya when she decided to enter”.

“Our (industry) is not just cutting hair for clients, there is more if you want more,” she said.

“Maiya definitely wants more — every door that is opened she just runs though.

“When (apprentices) are hungry like that, we will do anything we can to help them.

“We want to just back Maiya all the way”¦ we are so proud of her.”

While still finishing the final years of her apprenticeship — aspiring to become a blonde specialist — Ms Rice has continued to excel in her field by working backstage at the Australian Fashion Week and taking part in Redken’s Creative Night in Adelaide for SA industry leaders.

Ms Rice is also setting herself on the path for more award wins by entering in the Australian Hair Fashion Awards for the 2024 Apprentice of the Year, requiring her to create a debut photographic collection.

“Hair is such an important part of someone’s identity, so to be able to make their dreams come to life, have them feel happy and confident, and to get a big smile on their face is really rewarding,” she said.

“I didn’t even know it was here, but I am just loving this creative and editorial pathway.

“I have made so many (industry) connections (because of the award). Even the other winners — we message all the time and bounce ideas off each other.

“It has been a whirlwind of positivity and love — it has been very cool.”

This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 21 August 2024.