Stephan Burnett
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 07/04) - They're probably more comfortable with the label "artist" than they are with the business person label, but no matter how you coin it, there's three young people in Yellowknife working hard to gain some recognition for their skills.

Make-up artist April Parchoma works on model Betty Buckley. - Chris Woodall/NNSL photo

April Parchoma is a make-up artist, Lance Morrison is a hair designer. Stylist Jamie Look is a clothing and jewelry designer.

All three are locked into a competition to get on the front cover of Strut magazine.

"It's a competition through Redken for Strut magazine and it's nationwide across Canada," said Parchoma.

Competitors are allowed to submit as many photos as they want for the competition.

"It's basically a hairdresser's competition as well as haute couture.

"We're just doing our part to keep the art in Yellowknife alive in our way," said Parchoma.

Morrison says the pictures being shot by Alex Beaudin and Aaron Whitfield are to be sent into Montreal for judging, which will occur on May 15.

There are three prizes, which are substantial - apart from the magazine cover - including trips to New York and Las Vegas.

"We've been working on this for two months," said Morrison on Saturday in the Northern Heights party room.

For her part, Look has to provide "the look" to match the hair.

"It's up to me to start with a vision and find specific fabric that will heighten Lance's hair and not take over.

"Whatever I can't find I'll create -- I'm a fashion designer and have recently begun designing jewelry and accessories," said Look.

The trio has created six different looks for the competition.

They are Inspired by Northern Lights, Cyber Punk Mugshots, Fresh Innocence, Sophistication, Golden Glamour and Business Beach Bum.

"It's a lot of work because you're working with six different body types and six different looks," said Look.