A key event in the Bedford calendar is the Hair & Beauty Show at Bedford Corn Exchange.

Held every Spring, this stage and catwalk show highlights tomorrow’s fashions today - created by young people who are training to work in salons and spas in the future.

Hair and Beauty businesses throughout the town centre and farther afield enter their young talent into the competition which is run by Bedford College’s Brooks training centre on the High Street. Hundreds of trainees and their families and friends crowd into in the auditorium to see the show.

“The event is sponsored by Love Bedford to acknowledge the contribution made by Hair and Beauty employers to the Business Improvement District, and to support Bedford College which brings 1,000s of students and staff into the town centre,” explains BedfordBID Chair Sam Laycock, of the Harpur Centre,

“The quality of work and the excitement generated among the audience was outstanding. All of those people are potential customers and I was delighted to be involved as Love Bedford Chair to talk up the town.”

The theme of the 2016 show was Reduce, Reuse and Recycle an idea which resonates with many town centre businesses. Hair styles, make-up and fashions were creatively used to get across the message that up-cycling is cool.

“There is an expression that some people can look good in a bin bag, well some of the costumes were literally recycled plastic and paper bags, with empty cans and old newspapers thrown into the mix,” added Sam.

“But the style factor was fantastic. It is great to see young people from Bedford College, who are the hairdressers, beauty therapists and business owners of the future putting on such a great show.”

A highlight of the evening was the Jagged Edge crew collection. Founded by 28-year-old Zak Resinato, Jagged Edge has gone from a Bedford High Street barbers to become a national brand with a “barbers pod” deal with Sainsbury’s UK. The venue in Bedford remains as a barbers and workplace training academy for the steady stream of Jagged Edge barbers. The crew put on a exciting display of the craft of hairstyling for men.

Said Zak: “This event is important to us to tap into local talent and to show how they can become part of a great team with us at Jagged Edge.”

Details of training courses at Bedford College and Brooks High Street salon can be found via www.bedford.ac.uk