Chetan Mongia of Vision Blonde in Melbourne has been selected amongst an esteemed group as a finalist in the 2025 International Hair Awards.
The finalists were announced on March 2 in a global live broadcast from Vilassar de Dalt, Spain, at the headquarters of IHA category partner, Artero. Chetan represents Australia among 18 nominated finalists from seven total countries, with China, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States joining Australia on the list.
Chetan was nominated in the category of Best International Women’s Collection, alongside Matteo de Vita from TONI&GUY in the UK and Olivia Barnes from Mark Leeson, also in the UK.
Chetan recently made the move from New Zealand to South Melbourne, building on his 15 years of experience as the salon owner of Laboratorie and Barba in Auckland with his new venture in Vision Blonde. He’s also a Wella Top Artist and won the the AHFA title of Victorian Hairdresser of the Year in 2024.
Chetan was nominated for his Vogue-inspired BLONDE collection, which explores a collection of blonde hues in an editorial setting as a tribute to the timeless beauty of blondes.
“I am incredibly honoured to be named a finalist for Best Women’s Commerical Collection at the International Hairdressing Awards, representing Australia on a global stage. This recognition is a testament to my passion for hair and the dedication I’ve poured into this collection,” he said. “For me, hair is more than just a craft; it’s a language of self-expression, emotion, and transformation. This collection was born from a desire to blend timeless beauty with modern art, capturing strength, individuality, and the ever-evolving nature of femininity. To have this vision recognised on a global stage is an incredible privilege.”
Other finalists were nominated in categories of Best International Men’s Collection, Best International Avant Garde Collection, International Film & TV Hairdresser of the Year, International Artistic Team of the Year and International Hairdresser of the Year, with high profile names such as Antoinette Beenders, Errol Douglas, Efi Davies and Jorge X making the list. This was decided by an all star panel including Sam Villa from the USA, Felicitas Ordás of Spain, Nicky Clarke from the UK, Ilham Mestour from the Netherlands and Australia’s very own International Hairdressing Awards winner, Sharon Blain.
From March 28, Mikel Luzea, director and founder of the International Hairdressing Awards, and Sergi Bancells, the global ambassador of the awards, will travel the world to surprise and award the winners. Then, the 2025 International Hairdressing Awards ceremony will take place on June 21 at the HairCon event at O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester. HairCon, Estetica Magazine, Salón Look Madrid, Artero and The Hair MBA all act as sponsors for the awards.
Congratulations to the finalists, listed below.
BEST INTERNATIONAL MEN’S COMMERCIAL COLLECTION
Bernat Sayol, Salones Carlos Valiente (Spain)
Daniel Gallego (Spain)
Robert Stary & Marek Metelka (Czech Republic)
BEST INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S COMMERCIAL COLLECTION
Chetan Mongia, Vision Blonde (Australia)
Matteo de Vita, TONI&GUY (UK)
Olivia Barnes, Mark Leeson (UK)
BEST INTERNATIONAL AVANT GARDE COLLECTION
Antoinette Beenders (USA)
Efi Davies, TONI&GUY (UK)
Raoul van Delden (Netherlands)
INTERNATIONAL FILM & TV HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
‘Bridgerton’, Season 3 by Erika Okvist, Farida Ghwedar, Emma Rigby
‘Emilia Pérez’ by Julia Floch Carbonel, Emmanuel Janvier, Jean-Christophe Spadaccini
‘Wicked’ by Frances Hannon, Sarah Nuth, Sim Camps, Gabor Kerekes
INTERNATIONAL ARTISTIC TEAM OF THE YEAR
Carlos Valiente Art Team (Spain)
Provi & Saco (China/UK)
TONI&GUY Artistic Team (UK)
INTERNATIONAL HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Errol Douglas MBE (UK)
Jorge X (Spain)
Rafael Bueno (Spain)
For more information visit www.ihawards.com
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