(drumroll please)
Last night, the best of the best in hairdressing descended on Sydney’s Luna Park to celebrate our country’s largest and most successful independent hairdressing awards program: the Australian Hair Fashion Awards.
The AHFAs took place in front of a sell-out audience of over 900 hairstylists, media VIP guests and celebrities – all gathered together to celebrate the best of the best in Australian hair, fashion and beauty.
Hosted by model and presenter Kate Peck, the evening also featured a special performance by Australian music royalty, Sneaky Sound System who well and truly got the party started with their high octane performance set.
This year also brought the talented Dyson Australia Styling Ambassador Team – Renya Xydis, Damien Rinaldo, Frank Apostolopolous, Joey Scandizzo, Jayne Wild and Peter Thomsen – on stage for the very first time for this year’s anticipated AHFA runway.
The 2019 photographic categories were judged in London by UK hairdressing royalty including: Akin KonizI, Amanda Nottage (Creative Head), Andrew Barton, Angelo Seminara, Cos Sakkas, Darren Ambrose, Effi Davies, Errol Douglas, Gary Hooker and Michael Young, Indira Schauwecker, Jamie Brooks, Jamie Stevens, Jayne Lewis Orr (HJI), Jo O’Neill, Karine Jackson, Luke Benson, Michael Rackett (Rush), Nick Irwin, Rob Eaton, Sam McKnight and Zoe Irwin.
2019 Business judges included: Sandy Chong (Australian Hairdressing Council), Daniel Abraham (Director, Platform Group), Paul Reynolds (Entrepreneur), Wendy Daoud (Founder Wedded Wonderland, Creative Business Hub), Taryn Williams (The Right Fit), Daniel Mostyn, Paul Nagy, Alfredo Lewis (international hairstylist and influencer) and Mustafa Avci (international hairstylist and influencer).
2019 Product judges included Head Judge Bonnie Gillies (Oz Beauty Expert), Iantha Yu (Beauty Crew), Sophie Howe (Beauty Heaven), Domenica Calarco (Presenter & Beauty Guru), Christina Butcher (Hair Romance), Edwina Carr Barraclough (Mamamia, Whimn, news.com.au), Kristy Johnson (The Daily Mail), Phoebe Youl (Popsugar), Elise Wilson (OK, NW Magazine), Stefani Zupanoksa (Australian Womens Weekly), Shireen Khalil (news.com.au) and Kelsey Ferencak (Body + Soul).
All results were verified by an independent adjudicator.
AND THE WINNERS ARE:
(Click through to view collections)
AUSTRALIAN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Craig Smith (Fruition)
MENS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Madison Voloshin (A+H Salon)
CREATIVE COLOURIST OF THE YEAR
Rachel Vitullo (Joey Scandizzo Salon)
ARTISTIC TEAM OF THE YEAR
NSW/ACT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Katy Reeve (TONI&GUY Paddington)
VIC HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Jo Smith (TONI&GUY Georges)
QLD HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Amanda Joy O’Connor (A.J.O Salon)
SA/TAS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Megan Panozzo (In Awe Salon)
WA/NT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Jo Banks (HairArt)
APPRENTICE HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Jessica Riches (Chumba Concept Salon)
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Natalia Humphries (Joey Scandizzo Salon)
AVANT GARDE HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Bill Tsiknaris (Tsiknaris Hair)
SESSION STYLIST OF THE YEAR
Diane Gorgievski (KODA Cutters)
MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Shella Martin (Salon XVI)
HAIR FASHION VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Dmitri Papas (Papas & Pace)
HAIR TRANSFORMATION VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Natalie Anne (Natalie Anne Hair)
FASHION STYLIST OF THE YEAR
HAIR SHOT OF THE YEAR
Uros Mikic (Kinky Curly Straight)
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
Dario Cotroneo (DCI Education)
DIGITAL INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR
Bixie Colour
SALON BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Papas and Pace
BEST NEW PROFESSIONAL HAIRCARE PRODUCT
Wella Invigo – Recharge Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner
BEST NEW PROFESSIONAL STYLING PRODUCT
Joico Blonde Life – Brilliant Glow Oil
MOST INNOVATIVE HAIR TOOL
Dyson Supersonic Pro Dryer
Follow:#ahfa119 @aushairfashionawards