20th Annual Hair Expo Australia

MELBOURNE HAIRDRESSER NAMED AS FINALIST IN 20TH ANNUAL HAIR EXPO AUSTRALIAN HAIRDRESSING AWARDS

Who will be the Australian Hairdresser of the Year?

Tracey Hughes from Mieke Hairdressing in Collingwood was named as a finalist in the 2005 Hair Expo Australian Hairdressing Awards with the winner to be revealed on 13 June at Hair Expo Australia. The awards this year are particularly prestigious, as Hair Expo celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The Hair Expo Australian Hairdressing Awards are the most respected, established and longest running awards in the Australian hair industry. These ‘Oscars’ of the hair world are the industry standard and represent the pinnacle of hairdressing excellence.

Jayne Wild, 2004 Australian Hairdresser of the Year, commented, "Even a year on, it still hasn't really sunk in. But when I do force myself to think about it, the enormity of winning this award is amazing. It really makes me feel so proud to be recognised by my peers and the industry and to be in the company of past winners. I truly am living my dream."

The Hair Expo awards are judged by a panel of independent industry experts, with the final decision based on a number of factors. They include a photographic collection, the integrity of the individual, peer recognition, participation in industry activities, education, editorial and fashion related events, contribution to the advancement of the industry and in the case of some categories, the success of the business the entrants are a part of.

These unique awards take into account all aspects of hairdressing and help to promote consumer awareness of the high standards of excellence in the Australian hairdressing industry. In 2005, there are nine other finalists in the major category - the Australian Hairdresser of the Year.

Jayne Wild from Wild Life Hairdressing in Sydney. Originally from the UK, but now firmly established as one of the leading lights of our local industry, Jayne won last year’s Hairdresser of the Year Award in her first year as a finalist.

Four-time winner, Shane Henning, from Noddy’s On King salon in Newtown (NSW), who left his family sheep farm in Esperance, WA, to become one of the fashion industry’s favourite stylists

Brett McDonald from Mahogany Hairdressing, Sydney – one of the hottest new salons in town and one of the hottest hair salon brands internationally

One of Australia’s premier session stylists, Brad Ngata from Brad Ngata Hair Direction in Sydney,

The legendary Sharon Blain from The Art of Hair in Sydney. This diva of the Australian hair industry has over 35 years experience in the industry, has represented Australia five times in World Championships and is the first Australian hairdresser to have had her work featured on the front cover of the International Hairdressing Journal

Philip Barwick from Muse in Sydney – a self described “cutting machine”, is one of Australia’s most influential hairdressers through his education, styling and editorial work. His Muse salon is a favourite with Beauty Editors and Philip has played a key role at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week since it began 10 years ago.

Barney Martin-Newbould from Barney Martin Hairdressing in Sydney. With over 16 years experience in London and Sydney, Barney is an internationally recognised stylist with exceptional talent, enthusiasm and outstanding style.

Adam Noble from Next Hair in Canberra, a twenty-year veteran of the Australian hairdressing industry, who describes his signature style as a combination of beauty and simplicity

Robert Bava, a major force in SA hairdressing from Toni & Guy, Adelaide, the largest group of fashion salons in Australia

Susa Wynne-Hoelscher, co-director of Hair Expo, commented on the finalists, "It’s every Australian hairdressers’ dream to win a Hair Expo Award. They’re are hard to win, but if you do it’s the highest accolade… you can’t go any higher! As one of the longest running awards in the hairdressing industry worldwide, they are recognised internationally as the benchmark for Australian and New Zealand hairdressing."
Finalists announced in other categories for the 19th Annual Hair Expo Australian Hairdressing Awards included New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year, Hairdressing Technician of the Year, New Creative Force, Apprentice/Trainee of the Year, Best New Salon Design, Excellence in Salon Marketing, Salon Team of the Year, Excellence in Hairdressing Education and Photographic Collection of the Year. Details of each finalist and their salon are listed below.

As the grand finale of the Hair Expo long weekend, winners of the 20th Hair Expo Australian Hairdressing Awards – undoubtedly the hairdressing industry’s night of nights - will be announced at a gala extravaganza at the Sydney Convention Centre on the evening of Monday 13 June.

The awards gala will be preceded by a one-off, show-stopping editorial gala runway presentation by white hot UK hairdresser, Richard Thompson of Mahogany, and staged by the world’s greatest fashion show producer, Mike Esa.

Who will be named the Australian Hairdresser of the Year? The only way to find out is to be at Hair Expo 2005!

Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend, 11-13 June
Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.

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