SHOWCASE AT HAIR POP

SHARE YOUR WORK.
TEACH YOUR PROCESS.
JOIN THE LINEUP.

HAIR POP EXISTS TO SPOTLIGHT INDEPENDENT ARTISTS DOING THOUGHTFUL WORK BEHIND THE CHAIR. EVERY EVENT FEATURES A SMALL GROUP OF EDUCATORS WHO BRING THEIR OWN PERSPECTIVE, TECHNIQUE, AND VOICE TO THE SHOWCASE.

WHAT WE
LOOK FOR

  • A GENUINE PASSION FOR TEACHING, NO MATTER THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL

  • COMFORTABILITY WITH A CROWD IN A LOW PRESSURE SETTING

  • A WILLINGNESS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OPENLY

  • A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OR SPECIALITY

  • A LOVE FOR LEAVING THEIR MARK ON THE HAIR INDUSTRY

  • RESPECT FOR COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION

  • AN APPROACHABLE, NO EGO ATTITUDE

WE’RE LESS INTERESTED IN FOLLOWER COUNT OR IF YOU’VE TAUGHT PRIOR, AND MORE INTERESTED IN WHETHER SOMEONE HAS THE ABILITY TO LEAVE YOUR SESSION EXCITED TO TRY SOMETHING NEW

WHAT WE
WANT FOR YOU

A GREAT SHOWCASE ISN’T JUST A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE CURATED FOR ATTENDEES; IT’S A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE CURATED FOR THE EDUCATORS SHARING THEIR WORK.

HAIR POP IS DESIGNED TO GIVE ARTISTS THE SUPPORT, SPACE, ORGANIZATION, AND RESPECT THEY NEED TO TEACH COMFORTABLY AND AUTHENTICALLY. WHEN EDUCATORS HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE, IT CREATES BETTER CONVERSATIONS, STRONGER DEMONSTRATIONS, AND A BETTER EVENT FOR EVERYONE.

FROM START TO FINISH,WE BELIEVE IT’S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO OFFER CLEAR COMMUNICATION, THOUGHTFUL PLANNING, AND AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EDUCATORS CAN FOCUS ON WHAT THEY DO BEST: TEACHING.

THE VENUE

GMAN TAVERN IS A CLASSIC CHICAGO BAR WITH A LONG HISTORY SUPPORTING LIVE MUSIC, AND THE DIY CREATIVE SCENE. OWNED BY THE SAME FOLKS BEHIND METRO AND SMARTBAR, GMAN’S BACK BAR HAS HOSTED COUNTLESS INTIMATE SHOWS, COMMUNITY HANGS, AND CREATIVE EXPERIMENTS OVER THE YEARS. FOR MANY OF US CHICAGOANS, IT’S A SPACE WE GREW UP IN, AND ONE THAT’S ALWAYS MADE ROOM FOR PEOPLE DOING THINGS THEIR OWN WAY. WE COULND’T THINK OF A BETTER HOUSE FOR HAIR POP!

3 ROUNDS OF 4 ARTISTS
EACH ARTIST HAS ONE HOUR TO LIVE DEMO A LOOK OF THEIR CHOICE ON A MODEL THEY BRING
ATTENDEES GET TO FREE ROAM THE VENUE, WATCH UP CLOSE, AND BE INTERACTIVE
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS AND A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE IS ENCOURAGED
BRING YOUR OWN TEACHING TECHNIQUES AND STYLE
HAIR POP PROVIDES THE EVENT FRAMEWORK, PROMOTION, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND PRODUCTION

THE FORMAT

  • Nope.

    This is not a “traditional” teaching event, or a structured demo. There’s no power point presentations, handouts, head sheets, talking points, etc.

    You’re welcome to talk about what you’re doing as attendees approach (think of it like giving a coworker advice on how you’d approach something a client asked for), answer questions and connect. There’s no pressure to “educate” in the traditional sense

  • HAIR POP will have doors at 12PM, with first round of stylists starting at 12:30. Event ends at 5PM.

    We’re looking at 3 rounds, with 4 artists being featured each round.

    First Round Starts: 12:30PM
    Second Round Starts: 2PM
    Third Round Starts: 3:30PM

    Each slot includes:
    - 15 minutes to set up
    - 1 hour to work
    - 15 minutes to clean up

    You’ll be assigned one time slot in advance. Time slot requests will be highly considered, but can’t be guaranteed. If we can’t provide your requested time slot you’ll be notified well in advance.

    • Itching for change in the industry? This is a step forward in being part of it

    • You’ll be featured in event relevant marketing

    • Guest list entry for yourself, and a +2

    • A chance to share your work in a relaxed, unbranded space

    • Photos and/or video of stylists showcasing, for you to use freely beyond the event

    • Networking, and a really solid afternoon

    • Some events charge “booth fees” to showcase. We don’t

    • Some events require you to work for or with a specific product brand. We don’t

  • Yes. Showcase artists are responsible for finding a model for day of, and coordinating with them on anything needed for the event

    Your model doesn’t need to purchase a ticket. They will be added to the event guest list

  • You’ll bring all tools (scissors, clips, combos, irons, etc), products, and supplies you need to showcase. We will provide the space, power, chair that raises and turns, table, heat protectant mat, anti fatigue mat, and event logistics

  • Unfortunately, we won’t have access to any shampoo bowls to rinse color on site.

    You’re welcome to showcase color, but you’ll need to independently make plans on how to rinse offsite after your showcasing round.

  • YES

    The venue is 21+, with government ID needed for entry. This is a city regulation, unfortunately Hair Pop nor Gman Tavern can make any exceptions on this. Including for showcase artists and/or models.

  • LOL, dress code

    Wear whatever helps you feel your best, and move comfortably

  • Absolutely! Anyone is welcome to enter to showcase. Please keep in mind, everyone is independently responsible for any travel fees, or coordinating required to be at the event.

THE facts

WHO SHOULD SHOWCASE AT HAIR POP?

  • HAIR CUTTING SPECILISTS

  • TEXTURE SPECILISTS

  • EXTENSION SPECILISTS

  • EDITORIAL STYLISTS

  • BARBERING SPECIALISTS

  • COLORISTS
    (PLEASE NOTE: IF DOING COLOR, ARRANGEMENTS WILL NEED TO BE MADE TO RINSE OFF PREMISES. NO SHAMPOO ACCESS ON SITE)

  • ANYONE WHO FEELS LIKE THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE AND WANTS TO TRY IT OUT IN A LOW PRESSURE ENVIRONMENT


SHOWCASE SUBMISSION

a note from the founder

HAIR POP WAS BUILT TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDEPENDENT EDUCATORS. IF YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE “RIGHT” INVITATION TO TEACH, THIS MIGHT BE IT.

IF YOUR WORK IS THOUGHTFUL, YOUR TECHNIQUES ARE SOLID, AND YOU ENJOY SHARING WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED IN A LOW PRESSURE SETTING; WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

-SHANNON