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AHFA Finalists 2009

Nov - 19 | By: CarlK | no comments.

Filed under : AHFA, News

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AND THE FINALISTS ARE…

The international judging panel for the 2009 Australian Hair Fashion Awards (AHFA) agreed finalists in the AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year category are officially this country’s leading style councillors, hairdressers and maestros with photographic collections that capture what’s hot in current hair fashion trends.

In line with the British Hairdressing Awards this year the Australian Hair Fashion Awards recognises six hairdressers in the category of AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year. Australian Hairdressers Journal in association with The Fellowship for Australian Hairdressing is excited to announce the finalists for the 2009 Australian Hair Fashion Awards…

To enter the competition, hairdressers working in salons throughout Australia had to submit six images, which fulfil the criteria set. Depending on the hairdresser’s location, they can enter their state category – Queensland, New South Wales/ACT, Victoria/Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia/Northern Territory.

If their talents lie within a particular discipline, they are also able to enter one of the four specialist categories – Creative Colourist of the Year, Artistic Salon Team of the Year, Men’s Hairdresser of the Year, or Apprentice of the Year. Other categories include Best New Product, Best New Packaging and Design and Best Salon Design.

In addition to the 12 state and specialist categories, the most hotly contested award is for the Australian Hairdresser of the Year title and in 2009 there are six nominees for the title.

Comments made by some of the judges were:

  • “I was very, very impressed with the apprentice category. It showed incredible diversity and professionalism. I think for the young part of the industry, it’s really quite an achievement.” Tim Hartley
  • “I see the growth and development of the hairdressing industry in Australia year on year and I think the rest of the world has a lot to be scared of… you guys are rocking at the moment!” Andrew Clark
  • “What I saw was amazing concepts, amazing hair, and I saw passion… something that everybody forgets and that’s what these awards are about. I also saw people wanting to win… it came through in their collections and for a judge to see that is great.” Errol Douglas

The six finalists for 2009 Australian Hairdresser of the Year include:

An exhilarating 2008 being crowned 2008 AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year, has seen Robert Bava move from strength to strength. The quiet achiever is viewed by many industry peers as the gentleman of hairdressing. Owner of three hairdressing salons in Adelaide and renown for his beautiful photographic images, Robert Bava from Parlour Hair in Adelaide has been named South Australian Hairdresser of the year two years consecutively. Robert educates on an international level, and his passion for pure hairdressing is constantly sought after. Simplicity is beautiful, combined with strength and femininity is the motto to which he works by.

After arriving in Australia eight years ago with a backpack and a few bucks this British boy has come a long way! Grant Norton of Toni&Guy in NSW is the proprietor of the Cronulla salon and shareholder in the Park Street and Balmain stores. From travelling internationally to teach for Toni&Guy in Thailand, Korea and London to 2004 Men’s Hairdresser of the Year, Grant’s achievements within his craft are well noted. Grant is now national creative director of Toni&Guy Australia, lead national and international educator and heads up the Toni&Guy creative academy. Grant is getting used to taking the ‘short walk’ to collect awards. In October 2009 he added to his already impressive tally by winning the prestigious Toni&Guy International Photographic award in London, along with an invitation to join the Toni&Guy creative team at London fashion week in January 2009.

Darcy Stratford, fashion director of Fabrik, has been hairdressing for 17 years, in which time he has worked alongside some of the industry’s biggest names, both in Australia and overseas. Darcy, and Fabrik under his creative direction has accrued over 100 awards since Fabrik opened eight years ago. These accolades include Queensland Hairdresser of the Year twice, Salon of the Year three times, Young Entreprenuer of the Year, Australian Hair Fashion Photographer of the Year plus many more. Darcy and his team educate on a national level for Fabric, Wella Professional and the Australian Hairdressing Fellowship.

As the youngest stylist to ever become a finalist for Australian Hairdresser of the year, Matthew Webb’s career began in the UK at the age of 15 with Paul Mitchell. He was later asked to join the team at Toni&Guy. He worked with Toni&Guy in England for a couple of years, with a strong involvement in training and education, before being presented with the opportunity to join the Australian team and be a part of the amazing creative projects that were happening. Within his first two months he had worked on Melbourne Fashion Week, styled hair for the headlining acts at the Commonwealth Games and worked on an advertising shoot for L’Oreal. His work in Sydney now revolves around a few different areas; he works in the salon in Paddington, where he has a very loyal clientele base. Matthew also teaches in the Toni&Guy Academy, and has taught everything from the Classic Fundamentals of hairdressing, through to Advanced Men’s courses and Creative Expressive workshops. This year he also designed a course which has been integrated into the Toni&Guy Academy, based around Photographic Styling where students can learn the skills needed to plan and execute a successful photo shoot.

Fashion forward describes Paula Kelly of Sublime Hairdressing Salons in Queensland’s approach to hair. Her 21 years experience within the industry as a stylist, educator, sales executive and manager, have culminated in her role as creative director and driving force of the Sublime Hairdressing brand. Paula’s passion for hairdressing started at a young age. Given a pair of scissors at age 4 to cut out some paper shapes, she then proceeded to cut the hair of every single ‘Barbie’ she owned. This even extended to the doll on the spare toilet roll in the bathroom. She was named AHFA QLD Hairdresser of the Year for the last two consecutive years.

Starting his career at the tender age of 14, and working his way up from junior stylist to artistic director for Rokk Ebony, Joey Scandizzo is now stepping up to the ‘big boys’! After being told, “You’re going to end up a ‘nobody’,” Scandizzo has certainly proved them wrong with a successful career underway and many accolades to support his achievements including being named the 2008 AHFA Men’s Hairdresser of the Year. This has taken the 2004 F.A.M.E Team member to international platforms, educating at seminars and exhibitions worldwide, such as London’s Salon International through to working backstage at New York Fashion Week for Sass & Bide. As editorial session stylist, Joey has delivered finesse and integrity to countless glossy publications, and has adopted the role as director for several fashion weeks

Other finalists include:

Creative Colourist of the Year

Men’s Hairdresser of the Year

Artistic Salon Team of the Year

Apprentice of the Year

QLD Hairdresser of the Year

NSW /ACT Hairdresser of the Year

  • Heidi Pfiffner- TONI&GUY Mossman, NSW
  • Emiliano Vitale- E Salon Wahroonga, NSW
  • Kelly Wright- TONI&GUY Bondi Beach, NSW

VIC/TAS Hairdresser of the Year

  • Frank Apostolopoulos- Biba Fitzroy, VIC
  • Jessica Manning- Suite J Launceston, TAS
  • Jo Smith- TONI&GUY Melbourne, VIC
  • Marie Uva-Rokk Ebony South Yarra, VIC

SA Hairdresser of the Year

WA/NT Hairdresser of the Year

Winners will be announced at the biggest event in the hairdressing industry’s calendar, the glittering Australian Hair Fashion Awards gala dinner.
The Australian Hair Fashion Awards are sponsored and presented by the AHJ and the Fellowship for Australian Hairdressing.

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