Close to 125 people packed The Park Ultra Lounge's outdoor patio Thursday night to watch models showcase the styles of the Lush and Spanish Fly salons.

Ten models walked a runway parallel to a lengthy fire pit during the opening night of the third-annual Hair Wars competition. Co-hosted by The Park and "Sactown Magazine," the competition will feature two salons every Thursday through June 10 competing to enter a final round. The first place winner will receive a full page ad in "Sactown Magazine" valued at $3,000 and the second place winner will receive a $500 gift certificate to The Park Downtown/Cafeteria 15L.

Spanish Fly and Lush are under the same ownership and coordinated together for Thursday's show. If they win, they will share first place.

"It really pulls us all together as a team," Spanish Fly hairstylist Jessica Stine said. "We're all passionate about doing hair. It's a really fun thing to get out of the salon. We get to go back and tell clients about it and have pictures for our portfolios."

Not only were hairstyles featured, but fashion as well. The salons' fashion designer, Nolan Kouri, dressed the models in his own designs. Cheers and whistles burst from the audience for each model.

At 10:30 p.m. the music grew and the show was under way. For approximately 10 minutes, the models exhibited polished hairstyles, dramatic makeup and designs resembling swimsuits. The designs played in bright colors, often paired with black. The show began with a model donning a short, skeleton hoop skirt seemingly lined with glow necklaces. The final model wore a full bodysuit adorned with silver pieces that sparkled as it caught the light.

"I want to be able to show my line, and this is a great opportunity," Kouri said. "I'm excited that people get to see my work, and that people get excited over it. The crowd was really into it."

According to The Park's VIP Coordinator Samantha Carolan, The Park hosts other fashion shows as well.

"I enjoyed it, I just wish it was longer," Sacramento hairstylist Mese Jay said. "I came to a hair show here several months ago, and it was much longer. I thought it was going to be the same thing. But now I know this (competition) is weekly, so I'll definitely come again."

Carolan wrote in an e-mail that there are a few pending salons yet to be confirmed.

"I think it's inspiring," Kouri said. "I'm always inspired to do things, and I hope that maybe people will be inspired to do whatever they like to do."

Upcoming contenders include:

April 29: To be announced
May 6: Jack's Hair Shop vs. Minx
May 13: Sassy vs. To be announced
May 20: Canvas vs. Luxe
May 27: Willo vs. Salons Within
June 3: Fusion vs. Joseph Anthony
June 10: Taki vs. Deeda

The Park Ultra Lounge is located at the corner of L and 15th Streets. (916) 442-7222.

Agnus-Dei Farrant is an intern for The Sacramento Press.