Hair Expo 2019 wrapped up this weekend with its annual awards gala, putting the emphasis on the incredible hairdressing community we’ve built and continue to propel, innovate and invigorate through experiences like Hair Expo. The awards night put a plethora of local and international hairdressing figures on the stage, honouring so many of them for their skill, creativity and legacy.
Hosted by iconic members from inside the industry itself, Gary Latham, Benni Tognini and 2018 Australian Hairdresser of the Year Joey Scandizzo, the jokes and speeches were kept industry-specific, entertaining the 850 strong crowd by lovingly skewering the Australian hair landscape, its notable moments and well-known figures. Other presenters on stage included Tabatha Coffey, Candy Shaw, and a myriad of other brand representatives and former award winners, putting our best collective industry foot forward. In addition, last year’s national winners, Joey Scandizzo and Danny Pato, showed off two videos that highlights the industry capabilities, with Danny showing its editorial scope in his new artistic collection, and Joey presenting a video about the industry and why it’s such a promising career step.
For the awards, 115 finalists competed across the categories, chosen by a panel of 11 international and 10 local judges, in categories ranging from business, to education, salon acumen and of course creative accolades for each state, country, men’s hair, session styling, colour, emerging talent and much more.
The night finished with some major winners. The pinnacle title of Hair Expo Australian Hairdresser of the Year was given to Dee Parker Attwood for her ambitious and technically brilliant collection, while Danny Pato made history with his bold Eastern inspired collection, winning New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year for an enormous fourth year in a row.
“I am so excited and honoured [to be awarded Hair Expo Awards Australian Hairdresser of the Year]. This is honestly one of the best nights of my life and I am so happy to have this result because I created a collection that was really hard work and not necessarily conventional,” Dee said. “I’m really happy that this is the collection that got me to this incredible position. I’m so proud thankful to be here.”
“Winning [Hair Expo New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year] even after four times still feels amazing. It keeps pushing me further and further and I keep aiming to come back stronger, and more unique. I love pushing myself and I love the challenge. Winning tonight still feels like the first time,” Danny said.
Other huge victors included Papas and Pace salon, which won for Salon Team of the Year, Master Cutter of the year for Dmitri Papas and Colour Technician of the Year for Justin Pace. Sam James went home with two trophies, being awarded South Australian/Tasmanian Hairdresser of the Year and then Editor’s Choice on top of that. The most emotional moment of the night was when industry royalty Sharon Blain was inducted into the Hall of Fame for a second time, building on her 1995 induction, as she accepted the award to speak of her love of the industry with her family on stage behind her.
“What an epic Hair Expo Awards 2019 has been! The calibre of talent really has exceeded all my expectations,” said head judge and awards ambassador Julie Piantadosi. “To each and every one of the finalists, hold your head up high because you are among the best of the best in our country. I would personally like to thank my hand picked superstar judges for their seamless efforts. And to all the winners – congratulations for making your mark and you deserve to feel really proud of your amazing achievement. I’d like to give a huge congratulations to Dee Parker Attwood for winning the prestigious Hair Expo Australian hairdresser of the Year award. Congratulations everyone. Let’s celebrate!”
The judging panel tasked with choosing the winners spanned far and wide, with the international contingent consisting of Trevor Sorbie, Tabatha Coffey, Sally Brooks, Jamie Brooks, Peter Gray, Nick Irwin, Mark Leeson, Andreas Stavrou, Guy Tang, Michael Levine and George Alderete. The local judging panel was made up of legends like Emiliano Vitale, Sandy Chong, Danny Pato, Caterina Di Biase, Stelios Papas, Justin Pace, Brad Ngata, Jules Tognini, Brownwyn Illingworth and our own INSTYLE editor Cameron Pine. A specialist business group of judges was made up on acclaimed business stars such as Ruth Browne, Enza Ferraro, Charles Marcus, Faye Murray and Anthony Richardson.
“The calibre of entries this year was incredible, and it’s amazing to see the level of talent within the Australian hairdressing industry. We wish to congratulate all our winners and finalists tonight – we’ve loved seeing your talent and creativity come to life through your work,” said event director Cory Watson. “The Hair Expo Awards are the longest-standing and most prestigious awards in Australian hairdressing, so to be named a finalist or winner is a true achievement. The industry coming together for the Hair Expo Awards tonight has been a highlight of Hair Expo Australia this year, and we’re thrilled to celebrate together in Sydney.”
Another three days and a huge night dedicated to this incomparable community puts Hair Expo in the books for 2019, and it was sent off in fitting fashion, with artistic inspiration, business expertise and true care for our local network shining through.
Congratulations to all the winners, listed below.
AUSTRALIAN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Dee Parker Attwood – Wieselmann Salon
NEW ZEALAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Danny Pato – D&M Hair Design
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Sharon Blain
COLOUR TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR
Justin Pace – Papas and Pace
MEN’S HAIRDRESSER / BARBER OF THE YEAR
Tom White – Rubi Hair
CREATIVE FORCE OF THE YEAR
Elle Schoemaker – Stelios Papas Toowong
MASTER CUTTER OF THE YEAR
Dmitri Papas
APPRENTICE / STUDENT OF THE YEAR
Bridie Meehan – Joey Scandizzo Salon
SALON TEAM OF THE YEAR
Papas and Pace
SESSION STYLIST OF THE YEAR
Richard Kavanagh – DLM
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Sam James – SJ Establishment
BEST SALON DESIGN
Kinky Curly Straight
EDUCATION BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Barbery the Craft of a Barber
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Jules Tognini
INDUSTRY BUSINESS PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
ECOHEADS
SALON BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Circles of Hair
STATE CATEGORIES
NSW-ACT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Nathan Cherrington – Salon Zephyr
SA-TAS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Sam James – SJ Establishment
VIC HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Lyndal Salmon – BIBA
WA-NT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Hayley Keep – Earth Wind Fire Hair
QLD HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Elle Schoemaker – Stelios Papas Toowong
For more information visit www.hairexpoaustralia.com
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