View the Hair Expo 2019 Australian Hairdresser of the Year Collection

In the final moments of Hair Expo’s final 2019 event on Sunday night, the Hair Expo Awards Gala, Dee Parker Attwood of Wieselmann Salon was crowned the Australian Hairdresser of the Year amongst enormous competition. She won for her intricate, skilful Shallow collection, and spoke of the complex nature of her looks comprising the collection to finally hand her this pinnacle title.

“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.”

The collection was inspired by the diversity of her own skillset, developed over 25 years in the industry and forged in imagination and practice to create these looks. The title might have you humming along to the popular song of the same name from the recent film, a Star Is Born, and that’s no coincidence either.

“The name Shallow came from listening to the movie soundtrack while practicing my braiding and with Lady Gaga, I could imagine her wearing any of these looks,” she said. “Inspired by the music and moodboard images, I am proud to say that no hairstyles were copied. The execution is all my own work. Only the skin is photoshopped to create a consistent look.”

Dee is a testament to the value of hard work, practice and longevity in the industry, with her education, knowledge and talent ensuring she could create the necessary images to take this trophy home.

“I wanted to show hair manipulation as it’s finest with cleaver braiding and ‘big editorial hair’. Also my collections will always have at least one progressive creative haircut in it. Basically all six looks and concepts are forward thinking, relevant and fresh,” she said. “Shallow is the most time consuming collection I have ever done, but I achieved the most proudest hairdressing moment I have ever had, in doing it.”

Stylistically, the collection was shot by Andrew O’Toole in a tent with a highlighter rod for the moody shadows to be created, while beauty looks by Kylie O’Toole featured a pop of colour to complement the colour flashes in some of the hair looks. The fashion styling by Ella Murphy exaggerated outlines and shapes, while also downplaying dark and soft hues to allow the hair to be the overall focus of the image, against simple and beautiful clothes. Every facet of the collection was carefully considered for an inspiring end result.

Congratulations to Dee on her well-deserved win. See the full collection below and let it inspire you to throw your hat in the proverbial ring next year.

CREDITS

Hairstylist: Dee Parker Attwood

Salon: Wieselmann Salon

Collection name: Shallow

Photographer: Andrew O’Toole

Makeup: Kylie O’Toole

Stylist: Ella Murphy

Colour: Wieselmann Salon

Agency: Hart and Co