On the 10th of April, Australia’s largest and most successful independent hairdressing awards program, the Australian Hair Fashion Awards (AHFAs) took place on in front of a sell-out audience of almost 900 hairstylists, media and celebrities at Sydney’s iconic Luna Park. The AHFAs are the ultimate celebration of the synergy between hair, fashion, beauty and culture and this year’s list of winners features a roll call of Australia’s finest exponents of hair, fashion and beauty.
Guests were entertained by the MC for the night, global hairdressing superstar Errol Douglas MBE, accompanied by TV presenter and model Scherri-Lee Biggs, as well as a very special musical performance by one of the country’s hottest rising stars Bonnie Anderson, who performed her Platinum selling single Blackout and her latest hit “The Ones I Love.”
Now in their 24th year proudly partnered by L’Oréal Professionnel and the third under the creative vision of The Journal’s David Mannah following his phenomenally successful re-launch of the hair fashion publication in 2014, the AHFA’s have once again proved that they are packing the punches when it comes to industry recognition.
“Every year we see the AHFA’s grow in stature. For 2016 we had an unprecedented number of entries judged by an unbelievable list of guest judges, bringing recognition on a global scale to Australian hairstylists. It’s so rewarding to see so many inspirational people come together to celebrate the best of the best in this amazing industry we are lucking enough to call work.” David Mannah, AHFAs Creative Director.
General Manager of L’Oréal Professionnel Olga Zanetti adds “We are thrilled once again to support the finest night in the Australian Hair Fashion industry. To nurture homegrown talent, give them an international platform and allow them to be celebrated at the highest level is crucial to the continuing success of our industry and is something in which we all believe. The evening was a huge success and we are delighted be part of that emotion.”
The illustrious photographic categories for 2016 were judged in London by UK hairdressing royalty including Anthony Mascolo, Akin Konizi, Bruce Masefield and Angelo Seminara. The product award categories were judged by media representatives from titles including Famous, Harper’s Bazaar, Popsugar Beauty, RESCU, Hair Romance, Beauty Heaven and Fashion Journal. The business awards were judged by industry luminaries home and abroad including Steven Gresty (The Joy of Learning), Tim Binnington (Headmasters), Ava Matthews (MECCA), Leanne Whitehouse (Whitehouse Institute of Design) and Wendy Blair (Wendy Blair Consultancy). The results were verified by an independent adjudicator.
Congratulations to the winners for 2016:
AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year
CATERINA DI BIASE – HEADING OUT HAIR & BEAUTY
AHFA Men’s Hairdresser of the Year
MADISON VOLOSHIN – DISTRICT SALON
AHFA Creative Colourist of the Year
KYRA WILLIAMS – JOEY SCANDIZZO SALON
AHFA Artistic Team of the Year
FRUITION
AHFA Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year
NADIA SEMANIC – TONI&GUY GEORGES
AHFA NSW/ACT Hairdresser of the Year
MARY ALAMINE – ROYALS HAIR
AHFA Victorian Hairdresser of the Year
MALISSA MASCI – MASCI HAIR & SPA
AHFA Queensland Hairdresser of the Year
AMANDA MENZ – FRUITION
AHFA South Australian/Tasmanian Hairdresser of the Year
TIFFANY DECAUX – BORIS THE CUTTERY
AHFA Western Australian/Northern Territory Hairdresser of the Year
MICHAEL O’DOWD – O’DOWD CHRISTIE HAIR
AHFA Apprentice Hairdresser of the Year
JASMINE HECKENBERG – SFUMATO HAIR
AHFA Newcomer of the Year
STEFFI TANIAN – OSCAR OSCAR SALONS
AHFA Session Stylist of the Year
RICHARD KAVANAGH
AHFA Make-Up Artist of the Year
CHEREINE WADDELL
AHFA Fashion Stylist of the Year
CHLOE ROSE
AHFA Hair Fashion Video of the Year
é SALON
AHFA Excellence in Education
SHARON BLAIN EDUCATION
AHFA Most Innovative Marketing Campaign
ELEVEN AUSTRALIA
AHFA Salon of the Year
SLOANS
Best New Professional Haircare Product
KERASTASE PARIS RESISTANCE THERAPISTE
Best New Professional Styling Product
EVO – SHEBANG-A-BANG DRY SPRAY WAX
Best New Professional Packaging & Design
SHU UEMURA ART SERIES CLEANSING OIL SHAMPOO
Most Innovative Hair Tool
TANGLE TEEZER – BLOW STYLING PADDLE BRUSH
– TJ