Australia’s own Sharon Blain was honoured with the title of International Hair Legend by the International Hairdressing Awards as the platform made its way around the world to surprise and announce the winners in its sixth year. Taking place from March 10 to 20, winners in eight categories were revealed and personally visited by Mikel Luzea, IHA director and founder, and Sergi Bancells, global ambassador of the awards, which was all documented on social media in real time.
Sharon was awarded in Sydney for her longstanding, influential career across editorial hairdressing, education and so much more, which has had an indelible effect on hair globally.
Beyond this award, Best International Women’s Commercial Collection was won by Carlos Valiente and Bernat Sayol from Salones Carlos Valiente, Spain, International Film & TV Hairdresser of the Year was won by Ivana Primorac, Marie Larkin and Clare Corsick for their work in the smash hit movie Barbie, and International Hair Influencer of the Year was awarded to Ken Paves from the US.
UK hairdressers took home a myriad of awards. Best International Men’s Commercial Collection was won by Sam Elliot, Best International Avant-Garde Collection went to Efi Davies and the International Artistic Team of the Year was named as the TONI&GUY Artistic Team, all from the UK.
Importantly, current British Hairdresser of the Year Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY’s Global Creative Director, won the pinnacle title of International Hairdresser of the Year for the third year in a row, becoming the first winner to secure this hattrick.




“This is incredible, I am speechless, and I am honoured to win this again,” Cos said. “This award isn’t just for me but for my family, my team photographer Jack Eames, Lan Nguyen-Grealis on make-up and styling by Borna Prikaski, and the whole TONI&GUY global team. My Luminescent collection is super focused on hair and hair textures, keeping everything simple is my style with femininity through the shapes, but at the same time adding those little twists that make it interesting. It’s all the little ingredients that make it exciting.”
The winners have been invited to the gala event in in Lisbon, on April 29, which will include a purple carpet entry, inspiring runway show led by global hairdressing teams and an awards ceremony to crown the winners.
For more information visit www.ihawards.com
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