The Australian Hair Fashion Awards is under two months away and along with the hairdressers in the many artistically driven categories being whittled down to just finalists and nominees, Australia’s FAME Team contingent is being suitably culled as well. The fourteen talented finalists competed in an all-day live competition event last week in front of a major judging pool, and will now be cut to just four members by the time the AHFAs roll around.
“I love being involved in the FAME team judging,” said judge Richard Kavanagh. “Seeing how fourteen people interpret the same brief in totally different ways is always fascinating and I come away inspired every time. I can’t wait to see the final four!”
Richard was joined on the illustrious judging panel by Sharon Blain, Jules Tognini, Sarah Laidlaw, Lauren McCowan, Daniel Mostyn, Alex Fuchs, Brett Albury, INSTYLE Editor Cameron Pine, Sandy Chong, Kobi Bokshish, David Mannah and current FAME Team Creative Director Brett McKinnon. The finalists and judges congregated at La Biosthetique’s Sydney Academie to battle it out in a stunning (and exhausting) display of hours-long live hairdressing challenges. The live skills test included a styling brief and two cutting briefs, followed by a live model and signature look presentation, and then a Q and A.
“I just love being a part of this special project and hanging out with the awesome new talent coming through in our industry,” Sharon enthused. “Everyone who’s eligible really should think about entering!”
“It was my first time judging and what an awesome experience it was,” Kobi agreed. “There’s so much talent, enthusiasm and collaboration in one room. I was honoured to be a part of it.”
The finalists, including Ben Russell of BIBA Gertrude Street, Brittany Cristaudo of Sloans of Lane Cove, Charlene Fernandez of Rokk Ebony, Cherie Falco of Kinky Curly Straight, Claudia Cataldo of Cataldo’s, Daniel Di Iorio of Diior 10 Salon, Danny Puopolo of Rakis on Collins, Elizabeth Shedwick of TONI&GUY Paddington, Idy Duong of Sloans of Lane Cove, Laura Spinney of Academie Salon, Mikayla Auld of Mikayla Auld Hairdressing, Shannon Williams of Black Avenue Hair, Shantelle Neate of Fruition and Tiffany Decaux of Boris the Cuttery now face an anxious wait until the AHFAs on April 15.
Winners will spend a year experiencing inimitable opportunities, from collection shoots to education and presentation opportunities and international travel. Mentoring by industry legends around the world will ensure their career is never the same again.
It’s a massive opportunity and we have all our fingers crossed for each of them – good luck!
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