Woodlands Hairstylist Wins Raw Artists Hairstyist of the Year

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - On March 2, 2015 the national winners of the 6th annual RAWards were announced with Dennis Clendennen, Woodlands hairstylist and co-owner of Dionysus Salon~Spa, located in Market Street being named RAW Artists Hairstylist of the Year. The RAWards are a celebration of independent artists that have presented their work in RAW Artists showcases in 54 cities across the United States. Last year over 15,000 individuals showcased their talents in nine categories (Visual artist, fashion designer, musician, filmmaker, hairstylist, makeup artist, photographer, performer and accessories) with national winners named for each genre.

The road to become national winner begins with presenting in a local RAW Artists showcase. Artist that have presented are narrowed down to the top three for each city in each of the nine genres. A panel of judges for each respective category evaluates the work in their respective categories naming the RAW Artists City Winners. City winners are then judged by a national panel of industry respected people from each of the nine categories selecting the winners.

The process began for RAW Artists Hairstylist of the Year winner, Dennis Clendennen after being asked by RAW Artists Houston director Sammy Mazur to showcase his work in September of 2015. Speaking to Dennis about his journey to winning the following quote were in response to how, what and whys in the creation of his showcase:

'I love the creative process from inspiration to the final result and being asked to showcase for RAW Artists provided me with free range to let it all go, have fun and create. It is the failure to fear failure that allows me to continue to push ahead with the process. Learning from the opportunities that did not turn out as I envisioned gave me the experiences and information needed to create the final looks.'

'The inspiration for the hairpieces was the geometric starkness seen in the framing of buildings, bridges and such. I took the sharpness of the geometric shapes and combined them with the femininity of the models that brought the static shapes to life. The models were provided by Neal Hamil Agency in Houston.'

'The hairstyles on the models without hairpieces were kept extremely simple in an unconventional manner. The hair was pulled directionally into sleek, clean ponytails and then laced with black sewing elastic to create support for the circular shapes emanating off the head.'

'The makeup was used to create an emotionless 'mask' with the face being solid white with exaggerated black eye liner. Alexa Covarrubbias, also of Dionysus Salon~Spa, was the makeup artist executing the vision.'

'The looks for the show were completed with the beautiful designs of Houston fashion designer Kuteka of TikiGlam.'

'Thank you to Heidi Luerra for founding RAW Artists creating a venue for independent artists to exhibit their talents. Thank you also to the great team of professionals and models, courtesy of Neal Hamil Agency in Houston, for being a huge part of bringing this show to life.'

Dennis continues to work behind the chair cutting and styling hair for clients at Dionysus Salon~Spa in Market Street and still creating outside the salon with twenty-five seasons styling hair backstage during New york Fashion Week. He also is styling hair for editorial shoots for magazines, designers and websites around the world. His constant pursuit of the creative dream has also had him nominated as one of nine hairstylists by 303 Magazine of Denver for Southwest Hairstylist of the Year.