Long and short of Charlotte's bad-hair year

Charlotte Dawson says she had to grow her hair all over again.

Charlotte Dawson yesterday took six pages and 1700 words to explain the distress she feels over a hair-extension spat with celebrity hairdresser Gary Rogers.

He claims Dawson owes him money for hair extension work, and on Friday a $2500 claim against her was heard in the Disputes Tribunal in Auckland.

However, Dawson failed to appear, saying she didn't know the hearing was on. She said she yesterday applied for a re-hearing and issued the long press statement to present her version of events.

"Due to the removal of the hair extensions and inadequate care taken by Mr Rogers I ended up with bald patches and little hair on my head, leaving me with little option but to cut it very short and start again," she said.

She also meticulously detailed her claims that he owed her money for using her image without her permission - something Mr Rogers denied.

Dawson said she agreed to be photographed with Penthouse pet Hayley Marie Byrnes and model Nicky Watson for a poster that was to be used "only once" at the 2004 Erotica show.

"Gary Rogers then reproduced that image and used it as point-of-sale in the window of his salon, where it remains."

Mr Rogers said Dawson simply didn't maintain her hair properly.

"She's done this to herself ... She let her extensions go for up to four months without a maintenance check, which is unbelievable ... She should have returned for maintenance every 10 to 14 days," he said.

"Her hair was so dreaded through neglect. She thinks she's right but we know professionally that we are right. We have documented records of her visits to the salon."

But Dawson vehemently denied she hadn't maintained her locks.

"I never, as Gary Rogers claims, left the extensions unattended for four months. I have my hair blow-dried twice a week and coloured every four to six weeks to cover my grey hair.

"I am very meticulous about my appearance as I have to be in my job."

Dawson said it would take "at least another year" to restore her hair to its pre-extension state.

She said many would see the matter as petty but "I feel when the facts are not being presented it's important to speak out".