From Simba to Sea Creatures: Hair we go!

Finding meaning in The Lion King

For Zaa, inspiration struck during a Netflix binge. The Lion King's story of resilience, growth, and independence resonated deeply with her. “It kind of got my brain going,” she explains. “The story represents what I’ve been through—being independent, making friends, and growing along the way.” This connection made her project feel especially personal and meaningful.

Braids, flax, and koru spirals

Packed with symbolism, Zaa incorporates flax and koru spirals into her mannequin’s hair to represent growth and strength. Intricate braids symbolise life’s different pathways. “It just made sense to me,” she says.

A supportive tutor who felt like a friend

So, far, the highlight for Zaa at NMIT wasn’t just the hands-on learning, but the supportive environment created by her tutor, Shaylee Taylor. “She was like our friend,” she shares. This made a huge difference for her and her classmates, keeping them motivated and excited to learn. “Having a tutor like that really encouraged all of us to push ourselves and keep going,” Zaa says.

Beach days = Big inspiration

Sophie’s happy place is the beach, so it’s no surprise that her theme revolves around mermaids. “I like going to the beach in my free time,” she says. Her ocean-inspired display was the perfect way to channel her love of the sea into her work.

Crafting mermaid magic

Using fishtail and mermaid braids, Sophie enhanced her mermaid look with coloured extensions and a sprinkling of shells. Her creative process involved gathering inspiration from Pinterest and combining ideas into something fresh and original.

Lessons in extensions

Sophie’s display was a great opportunity to level up her technical skills. “I learned how to place extensions so the clips don’t show which is awesome” she says.

Finding inspiration in the Garden of Eden

For Eva, the Garden of Eden theme comes from a personal connection—her sister’s Christian faith. “My sister’s Christian, so I thought I’d bring my vision and hers into it,” she explains.

The creative process behind the vision

Eva brought her theme to life through a mix of planning and experimentation. She found inspiration on Pinterest and even rewatched one of her favourite fantasy shows set in a forest. “I just played around,” she says, letting her imagination take the lead.

The details: braids, flowers, and... pebbles?

Eva’s talent for braiding shone through in her Viking-inspired designs. She added flowers, bobby pins (a lot of them!), and even tiny pebbles for texture. “You can’t really see the pebbles in the photos,” she laughs, “but they’re there!”

Embrace your unique spin

Eva’s biggest takeaway? Make it your own. “Don’t look at a reference picture for too long,” she says. “Look at it, then do your own thing.” Her unique take on the theme is proof of how creativity can thrive when you follow your instincts.