Toronto’s Aveda Institute Awards Scholarship

Photo: Melissa Koay

It seems Melissa Koay was born to style. Her eye for design recently won her a full scholarship to attend Toronto’s Aveda institute and win their Born to Style contest.

Koay was one of five finalists to compete in a runway competition that had each contestant showing off their skill at ready to wear looks and couture styling.

“It’s been a very crazy day. Very tiring,” said an exhausted Koay after her big win.

The contestants were not only judged on their model’s hair and fashion, they were also judged on how they carried themselves backstage. This was to ensure they always act professional, as they will some day have to act this way on the workforce and at major fashion events.

“Some of the winners, on stage… they did not win because they scored poorly behind the scenes”, said Ray Civello, CEO of Aveda Canada, who was also one of the panel judges.

The contestants were also judged and critiqued by industry experts such as Paige Dzenis, Associate Online Editor, FASHION Magazine; and Melissa Hill, Editor-In-Chief of Salon Magazine.

The event’s other awards included:

• $500 bursaries were awarded to the 5th and 4th place contestants Pakeeza Hashemi and Mariana Castro Duarte
• A $1000 tuition bursary was awarded to the 3rd place contestant, Rufaro Madzongwe
• A $1500 tuition voucher awarded to 2nd place contestant Jessica Nguyen.

Schools mentioned: Aveda Institute