A LOOK BACK AT THE 2017 AVEDA COLOUR HARMONY AWARDS
Beta Bar’s ornate Gallery Space was the destination du-jour on Monday July 31st, as a colourful assemblage of hairstylists, salon owners and industry insiders gathered for the 2017 Aveda Colour Harmony Awards. Celebrating exceptional skill, styling, and colour dexterity, the event honoured Aveda’s formidable network of creatives, showcasing the outstanding award contenders for 2017.
After making their way to the Nouveau-Victorian venue (a Hellenic gem amidst Sydney’s bustling Castlereagh street), guests were ushered through a logo emblazoned mist of smoke before proceeding to mingle amongst their champagne wielding peers. Aveda’s signature spa scent permeated the candle lit foyer, while back-lit fittings bearing each finalist’s submitted look accented the space’s tranquil configuration.
This year, entrants were tasked with presenting their 2018 fashion predictions, demonstrating the synergy between hair cut, colour, styling and makeup, whilst celebrating the spirit of Aveda. The theme for 2017? The Future of Fashion: a premise befitting the brand’s continued evolution. From countless submitted entries, Aveda’s Global Artistic Team would go on to select three finalists in each of the five categories: Colour Harmony, New Talent, Editorial, Men’s, and Salon Collection.
Finalists in the Colour Harmony, New Talent and Editorial categories were invited to recreate their winning looks before a three pronged panel of local judges including International session stylist Alan White, Aveda Global Artistic Director for Hair Color Ian Michael Black, and The Journal’s own Daniela Maroun. From there, judges were given the crucial task of whittling down the inspired finalist collections into a five-strong series of standout winners for 2017.
Welcoming event-goers to the evening’s proceedings was MC and Aveda General Manager for Australia and New Zealand Clint Piper, who led guests in reciting the brand’s mission statement. Following suit was Hair du Cutt’s own Karaoke King Frank Cannataro, who belted through an energetic rendition of Walk the Moon’s ‘Shut Up and Dance’ (complete with aptly appropriated lyrics and Colour Harmony finalists doubling as back up dancers).
Fresh off his judging appointment, and styling models (with not a minute spared for jet-lag) Los Angeles based Colour Maestro Ian Michael Black greeted the excited crowd, with a characteristically charismatic address. The Aveda Global Artistic Director for Hair Color went on to introduce an exciting new addition to Aveda’s Demi Color oeuvre: namely the new Custom Deposit Treatment Hair Color. Each naturally derived item in the new range not only works to improve hair condition, but promises beautifully vibrant results (as Ian went on to demonstrate on a series of pre-styled models.)
Taking out the titular Colour Harmony Award for 2017, was Tracey Doak of De Stijl who’s daring violet crop beat out Laura Kim’s and Charles Zhou’s vibrantly hued revelations. The winner in the New Talent Category was fellow De Stijl member, Linda Aragon, who’s winning look proved that the newcomer is definitely one to watch!
Djurra’s own Anita Sutton took out the gong in the Men’s Category for her romantic offering, while Pierrot’s Matthew Woolley was awarded the Editorial Winner for a second year running (look out for his Editorial shoot with The Journal set to appear in Issue 4!). Matthew will also represent Australia in Aveda’s Global Fashionista Competition. Last but not least, De Stijl Salon completed its Colour Harmony trifecta, taking out the top spot in the coveted Salon Collection Category.
As proceedings wrapped up (and celebratory drinks were consumed), event-goers let down their hair-dos and danced their way into the night… and then some!
ICYMI, Take a Look at the amazing Aveda Colour Harmony Winners for 2017:
Colour Harmony: Tracey Doak (De Stijl)
New Talent: Linda Aragon (De Stijl)
Editorial: Matthew Woolley (Pierrot’s)
Mens: Anita Sutton Galloway (Djurra)
Salon Collection: De Stijl
