The biggest night on the hairdressing calendar has come and gone, as the Hair Expo Gala Awards took place on Monday Night. Hairdressers from every corner of the country (and New Zealand) congregated at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre after three frenetic days of Hair Expo, and were treated to a three-course meal, hair fashion entertainment and the hosting styles of Natalie Bassingthwaghte. 20 winners were announced and cemented as industry leaders, pioneers, emerging talents, education experts and inspirational salons and salon teams. See the full list below.
Congratulations to Australian Hairdresser of the Year winner Joey Scandizzo, who won for his sepia-toned, ethereal collection, taking to the stage to pay tribute to his late father, his team and his family in the emotional win. Danny Pato picked up the hat trick for New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year, while Joey Scandizzo Salon was additionally named a big winner with their own Hermiz Daniel taking out Victorian Hairdresser and Editor’s Choice.
Vincent and Anton De Lorenzo were honoured as the fathers of Australian hairdressing as Hair Expo Hall of Famers, while colour and men’s hairdressing accolades were rightfully given to the talented Stevie Corthine and Uros Mikic, respectively. Salons such as Uva Salon, Rixon Hair and Circles of Subiaco were honoured for their team, design and business practices respectively, while Sharon Blain and Jules Tognini each took home awards in education, showcasing the power of their very different but each incredibly effective education styles.
The evening began with some hair fashion entertainment, including a raunchy burlesque show with more feathers than Hair Expo had ever seen, as well as a bold tribal hair fashion performance designed by last year’s New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year Danny Pato with his D&M Hair, and a bright, 80s style poppy number created by last year’s Australian Hairdresser of the Year Jason Fassbender and Parlour Hair.
Special international guests such as Angelo Seminara and Candy Shaw presented awards, and Angelo spoke about how the winning collection tends to pop off the wall when presenting the major title of Australian Hairdresser of the Year. Looking at the inspirational images on screen for each deserving winner, we can see what he meant.
It was the ideal final touch to the madness that was Hair Expo 2018, uniting the industry in an expression of talent, artistry and community that is always what Hair Expo personifies. Well done to all the winners!
Education Business of the Year:
Sharon Blain Education
Educator of the Year:
Jules Tognini
Industry Business Performance of the Year:
Excellent Edges
Salon Business of the Year:
Circles of Subiaco
Best Salon Design:
Rixon Hair
Apprentice Student of the Year:
Nicholas Tragos, Colour Cosmetica Adelaide
Salon Team of the Year:
Uva Salon
Session Stylist:
Sarah Laidlaw
New Creative Force:
Joe Habbaki, TONI&GUY Armadale
WA-NT Hairdresser of the Year:
Pauline McCabe, Rock Paper Scissors Hair
VIC Hairdresser of the Year:
Hermiz Daniel, Joey Scandizzo Salon
SA-TAS Hairdresser of the Year:
Sam James, Orbe North Adelaide
QLD Hairdresser of the Year:
Brodie Lee Stubbins, Rokstar, West End
NSW-ACT Hairdresser of the Year:
Nathan Cherrington, TONI&GUY Concord
Men’s Hairdresser/Barber of the Year:
Uros Mikic, Kinky Curly Straight
Colour Technician of the Year:
Stevie Corthine, Stevie English Hair
Editor’s Choice:
Hermiz Daniel, Joey Scandizzo Salon
Hair Expo Hall of Fame:
Vincent and Anton De Lorenzo
New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year:
Danny Pato, D&M Hair
Australian Hairdresser of the Year:
Joey Scandizzo, Joey Scandizzo Salon
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