American Crew, the world’s leading manufacturer of professional salon products for men, hosted its prestigious, annual FACE OFF Finalists Night on Tuesday, 10 November 2009 at the beautiful Peninsula in Melbourne’s Docklands.The event showcased the quality and exceptional talent of men’s grooming in Australia with a display of over 700 black and white photographic entries submitted in this year’s competition.

The coveted FACE OFF competition, now in its sixth year, offers salons and stylists across Australia the opportunity to profile their talents by creating a male hair style captured in a black and white photographic format. In addition, it also provides top performers with incredible career development opportunities.

The stylish crowd of over 620 guests was entertained by a fashion parade featuring the Arthur Galan AG 2009/2010 summer collection, worn by 30 models including. The parade featured some of this season’s hottest looks for men including sophisticated tailored suits partnered with sleek American Crew hair styles.

Some of Australia’s top stylists and fashion identities were in attendance including: Arthur and Mimi Galan, Rokk Ebony’s Joey Scandizzo, and model partner Jane Smith and handsome Melbourne Victory midfielder Nick Ward.

GQ editor, Nick Smith, presented the coveted awards, naming the 20 finalists from across Australia:

MESHELLE HARRISONTHE PALLADIUM (SA)
DAMIEN RINALDO HAIR MACHINE (SA)

ALISON KORKMAZ KUOKLA STUDIO (VIC)
RACHEL HULLICK TO FRED (NSW)
MALISA MASCI MASCI HAIR & SPA (VIC)
RAY BARRY Y SALON (VIC)
STAVROS TAVROU RAKIS ON COLLINS (VIC)
ERIC MARZIANO RAW ELEMENT (VIC)
SAM PRIMERANO TRUSSARDI HAIR DESIGN (VIC)
KATIE BARROW RAW ELEMENT (VIC)
SIMON FARRELLY SHIBUI (VIC)
MATTY G THE MENS ROOM (VIC)
RITA FERRARO TO FRED (NSW)
FRED RAFIDI TO FRED (NSW)
JOHN SCANDIZZO ROKK EBONY (VIC)
EMILY REARON LADY MARMALADE (VIC)
DANIELLE SOLIER XIANG HAIR (VIC)
KERRI RICHARDSON CAST (VIC)
MATTHEW INDOVINO SPADA (VIC)
ALBY WHITE CANVAS HAIR (NSW)

Each winner will be awarded an amazing trip to Los Angeles for five days, staying at the exclusive Chateau Marmont hotel and taking part in their very own photo shoot with American Crew founder, David Raccuglia. In addition to this, winners will also style shoots for GQ and Culture magazine as well being featured in the 2009/20010 American Crew FACE OFF magazine. One of the distinctive models captured in the winning black and white photographic entries will also be awarded an amazing two year modelling contract with top agency The Men’s Division.