Caterina DiBiase from Heading Out Hair & Beauty in Melbourne was tonight named the 2009 Australian Hairdresser of the Year, as part of the Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Hairdressing Awards. The ultimate recognition for any Australian hairdresser, Caterina took this year’s title at a spectacular gala ceremony in Darling Harbour, hosted by Tom Williams.

Beating nine other finalists to clinch the award, Caterina said; “The enormous talent of Australian hairdressers is renowned around the world and that’s why it’s such an honour to be recognised as Australian Hairdresser of the Year. It’s my passion and the dream that I love”

Australian Hairdresser of the Year is the most coveted award at Hair Expo and is judged by a panel of independent industry experts. The decision takes into account all aspects of the entrant’s hairdressing career, from their photographic collection to prior recognition and involvement in the industry.

No stranger to success, Caterina won Australian Hairdresser of the Year at Hair Expo in 2007. This year she also takes the Hair Expo award for Best Photographic Collection. This category is judged purely on the creativity and artistic talent portrayed in the entrant’s photographic collection, against every submission received during the judging period.

Celebrating their 24th anniversary this year, the annual Hairdressing Awards at Hair Expo are the most respected, established and longest running awards in the Australian hair industry. These ‘Oscars’ of the hair world set the industry standard and are the pinnacle of hairdressing excellence. From this year they are exclusively sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional.

Julia Erben, Hair Expo Event Director, commented; “The Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards feature very tough competition, but for the winners it’s the highest accolade. They’re recognised internationally as the benchmark for Australian and New Zealand hairdressing. We are proud to hear that many competitors shape their whole work year with regards to the awards criteria, because they believe the criteria challenge them to be the very best they can.”

Winners announced in all 13 categories for the 25th annual Hairdressing Awards included:
NEW ZEALAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR: Adrian Barclay, Venom, Invercargill, NZ

COLOUR TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR: Jacen Ward, TONI&GUY, Paddington, NSW

SALON TEAM OF THE YEAR: Gary Latham, Wild Life Hair, Milsons Point, NSW

NEW CREATIVE FORCE: Jason Fassbender, Parlour Hair, Malvern, SA

SESSION HAIR STYLIST OF THE YEAR: Benn Jae, Look Production & Management, Darlinghurst, NSW

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR: Alexandra Kontos, Nischler, Hobart, TAS

BEST NEW SALON DESIGN: Cranium Hair, Manly, NSW

BEST PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION: Caterina DiBiase, Heading Out Hair & Beauty, Fitzroy, VIC

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: Dennis Langford, TONI&GUY, Paddington, NSW
EXCELLENCE IN SALON MARKETING: TONI&GUY, Paddington, NSW
EXCELLENCE IN HAIRDRESSING EDUCATION – REGISTERED ORGANISATION: BIBA Academy, Fitzroy, VIC
EXCELLENCE IN HAIRDRESSING EDUCATION – INDIVIDUAL: Sharon Blain, The Art of Hair, Pennant Hills, NSW
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE: Anthony and Susa Wynne-Hoelscher, Culture Magazine, Toowong, QLD

The event wraps up the 34th year of Hair Expo Australia; the premier hairdressing event in the Southern Hemisphere. Over 10,000 visitors flocked to Darling Harbour to see more than 10,000 square metres of world-class exhibitors, education and shows from international and local hairdressing stars and the latest and greatest the industry has to offer.