For the third consecutive year, Mocha Group gathered the unique barber community to unite and recognise both the pivotal role both business and creativity play in barbering while crowning the deserving Australian Modern Barber Awards (AMBAs) winners. Held in Melbourne at the illustrious and historical Plaza Ballroom, it was a night of character, writes Cameron Pine.

Proving that atmosphere is everything when it comes to creative inspiration, the Barber Awards have a unique culture and energy unlike any other awards event known to hair.

The night gives barbering its own voice and saw some of our industry’s boldest and most business savvy awarded across 15 categories, including Matt Clarke of Esq. Male Grooming who received the AMBA Australian Modern Barber of the Year, New York Barbers for AMBA Australian Modern Barber Business of the Year and the UK’s acclaimed George Smith who travelled Down Under to accept AMBA International Modern Barber of the Year.

Hosted by lil off the top legend Jules Tognini, the night’s formalities were fun and somewhat informal, a nod to a culture of passion for the experience and promise to people from all walks of life to embrace their individuality – barbering continues to be bold and the market growth is a true reflection of that of the diverse talents and high-level consumer engagement the barber industry brings.

Launched in 2021 to provide men’s hairdressing and barbering trailblazers with a much needed and often requested benchmark of excellence, the AMBAs reflect the increasing impact of this industry. With men’s grooming a huge player in the global beauty market this is a timely marker of the industry’s importance with Innovius Research stating it is extrapolated to reach $534 million in 2026.

Guests were treated to entertainment inspired by the grandeur of the Plaza Ballroom’s historical Spanish Rococo architecture. The classical musical greats were reimagined with an electro-pop, contemporary crossover, and fusion flavour. Performances featured live vocalists, plus a powerhouse female cast on the electro-acoustic harp, electro violin and electro cello, as well as DJ peril who played for the remaining time concluding the awards ceremony.

Highlights of the night also saw Mark Rabone of Esq. Male Grooming inducted into the AMBA Hall of Fame and Fraser Forsey take out the Nominated Special Recognition Award.

“The AMBAs have yet again shone a spotlight on some of the most exciting global talent in the grooming world. The role of barbers and the barber shop is deep rooted in our cultural history and they remain an integral part of so many Australian men’s lives. These creatives are operating at a world class level and their talents completely wowed our judges,” shared Mocha Group Owner and Publisher, Linda Woodhead.

Each award submission was deliberated on by an independent panel of judges including media, PR and business specialists, international barbering icons and specialists in the barbering industry. The awards were proudly sponsored by Heiniger, American Barber, BaByliss PRO, American Crew, Andis, Depot, JRL, Shortcuts, Excellent Edges, Timely, Comfortel and Wahl.

A fun 360 camera captured some of the cheekiest moves by some of our awards winners and guests. After, drinks in Melbourne’s CBD with a few whiskeys and gins paid respect to the culture of barbers on a night dedicated to this incomparable industry.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Best Men’s Styling Product of the Year
Sponsored by Barbershop Magazine
Styling Paste by Smash It

Best Men’s Collection – Junior
Sponsored by Depot
Gianni Sollazzo, Esq. Male Grooming

Best Men’s Collection – Freestyle
Sponsored by Andis
Costa Zacharia, Unoit Barber

Best Business Director/Owner of the Year
Sponsored by JRL
Aaron Chan, Kings Domain Barber Shop

Best Customer Care
Sponsored by Shortcuts
Unoit Barber

Best Men’s Collection – Classic
Sponsored by BaByliss PRO, Dateline Imports
Ryan Poole, Esq. Male Grooming

Best Men’s Educator of the Year Organisation
Sponsored by Excellent Edges
Barbery the Craft of a Barber Academy

Best Barbershop Design
Sponsored by Comfortel
The BarberBar – Broadbeach

Best Team Collection
Sponsored by American Crew
Reed Studio

International Modern Barber of the Year
Sponsored by Timely
George Smith, UK

BTS Crew
Sponsored by Mocha Group
Leigh Winsor, Sophie Harris and Jose McManus with Suzi O’Brien for her Australian Modern Barber of the Year Collection

Special Recognition Award
Sponsored by WAHL Professional
Fraser Forsey

Hall of Fame
Sponsored by mocha group
Mark Rabone

Australian Modern Barber Business of the Year
Sponsored by American Barber, M&U Imports
New York Barbers

Australian Modern Barber of the Year
Sponsored by Heiniger
Matt Clarke, Esq. Male Grooming

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