Each year one of the industry’s most envied and unique salon cultures celebrates a year of development and achievement – recognising leading individuals while reinforcing the glue to the Prema brand’s collective mindset, writes Cameron Pine.
Arming the Prema Creatives, managers, mentors and leaders with an unbeatable culture of recognition, each year the Prema Awards defy salon industry stereotypes with a truly connected team of employees who thrive on support and encouragement. As one our country’s highest staff retention salons, Prema celebrated another year of impressive growth and that’s just the beginning.
Taking over the entire top floor rooftop bar of the Kings Cross hotel on November 11, The Prema family lived up to their reputation that there really is no party like a Prema party. With an emphasis on family but one with a true zeitgeist of impressions – it’s a culture that celebrates and embraces all and where both happiness and success sit side by side. The name Prema, the Sankrisit meaning for ‘love’ continues to ring true throughout the second decade of the brand’s journey.
More than 50 Prema staff from both Bondi and Surry Hills salons gathered and dressed so well you could be forgiven for feeling a little underdressed. Individual and effortless just like the Prema aesthetic itself. Celebrating and connecting culturally but with their own unique style – it’s this network of dynamism and indifference that defines what hairdressing is all about and Prema have it perfected.
Two salons, both unified by vision and creativity, and empowered with a sense of pride to be part of their community, came together as one. Not to mention their distant partner – the Prema New York salon which continues to feed inspiration and authenticity to individuals within. A heartfelt speech from now New York based owner Francesco Ruggerino added further value to a truly international hairdressing mindset and inspired staff to continue to drive their own personal growth but to also better understand the journey and true mission of Prema. The development of ANTI, the haircare brand driven by Francesco, also became a key conversation, speaking of its importance, its success and how it will continue to offer unrivalled opportunities globally for the salon network and individual growth, not to mention the entire industry.
“I want to thank each and every one of you again for a great 2018 and your tireless work, commitment and dedication to building the salon while I have been in New York and traveling launching ANTI. The Future is so bright for us as a brand that we need shades,” Francesco said.
“As we move into another year we have some exciting things happening in London with Nick Irwin our Creative Director for ANTI and will continue to look to leading with content and opportunities for all of you in both London and New York. Potentially even another creative space to drive our brand further.”
With a healthy amount of apprentices and seniors, the balance and sense of community within Prema shone through as guests drank and ate gourmet treats perfectly selected for the velocity of which hairdressers party. Celebrating not only recognition at Hall Of Fame status for individuals, as a salon brand Prema goes down into the Hairdressing Hall of Fame as one of our times most interesting and innovative hairdressing labels.
“Our annual awards night is where we get everyone together in a super cool setting to commend and acknowledge Prema’s stand out performers over the last 12 months,” said Johnny Ruggerino, Prema’s Director of Operations. “With zero ego and nothing but genuine love for each other, the team, and the culture they create, make this event the highlight in our yearly calendar. What a great way to bring in the busy Christmas period!”
Congratulations to all the 2018 Prema Hair Awards Winners. There really is no party like a Prema party.
Awards Winners:
Fashionista – Jesse Wakenshaw
Best hair – Lauren Murphy
Surry Hills team choice – Tammy Lake
Bondi team choice – Becky McEvoy
Consistent performer – Mimi Kumai
Consistent performer – Alice Agostino
Consistent performer – Sarah-Jay Conceicao
Best newcomer – Anna Rose Maney
Quiet achiever – grace Bowering
Front of House – Natasha Graham
Apprentice – Giovanna Piscicell
Colourist – Katie Harrison
Stylist – Alana Dunphy
ANTI Advocate – Garreth Lenagh
Prema Hall of fame – Melanie Cooper
For more information visit www.premalove.com
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