The esteemed finalists in the Australian Hair Industry Awards (Creative) for 2024 have been named, honouring those progressing to the next phase of this popular competition. With record-breaking entries in its fourth year, finalists have now been chosen in categories that span from state to creative disciplines, team accolades and the pinnacle Australian Hairdresser of the Year, New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year and International Hairdresser of the Year titles.

Delivered by the Mocha Group over hairdressing’s pinnacle weekend, taking place with Hair Festival over June 30 and July 1, this year saw the addition of five new categories and an all-new AHIA Awards Path that allows participants to evolve and grow through the categories. The gala event will take place on Monday July 1 at The Star, Sydney.

“When we created the AHIA Creative Awards four years ago I could only hope to have this much of an impact on Australia’s incredibly talented hair and barber community,” said Mocha Group Owner and Founder Linda Woodhead. “The way that such a diverse mix of salons have embraced the opportunity to push themselves creatively in front of their communities and clients never fails to inspire. A much-deserved congratulations to all these finalists.”

Judges for this year included Sally Brooks, Sam McKnight, Cos Sakkas, Hooker and Young, Candy Shaw and Vivienne MacKinder, as well as global media figures Charlotte Grant West from HJI, UK, Nicky Pope from Tribu.te Magazine, UK, and Veronica Boodhan from Salon Magazine, Canada. The emerging talent platform, 2024 HOTSHOTS, was judged by local hairdressing icons such as Justin Pace, Jayne Wild, Scott Sloan, Benni Tognini and Mary Alamine.

“The standard of work just continues to get better each and every year for both the key competition entries as well as the up-and-coming talent within the HOT SHOTS category. It was so difficult to distinguish from such an incredible mix of winning-worthy talent,” Sharon Blain shared.

The gala event will feature hair, fashion and entertainment installations, including a 2024 Creative couture opening performance led by international hair icon Natalie Anne, as well as a runway moment from Redken. The event is sponsored by brands including Redken, Amazing Hair, Excellent Edges and NatalieAnne Haircare, with support from Jadore Hair Supplies, Gamma+, Danger Jones, Matrix, Hair Festival, Dateline Imports, Heiniger, O&M, Expo4Barbers and Schwarzkopf. The on-site after party will be hosted by Rogue Beauty.

Congratulations to all the finalists!

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Chester Alexander, Analog Hair
Emily Ann Knight, Vault Ninety One
Georgina Fardoulis, TONI&GUY Cronulla
Hunter Kostrubiec, Tsiknaris Hair
India Locke, Letitia Booth Hair
Jaimé Henderson, Analog Hair
Jazmine Pinna, Stevie English Hair

EMERGING STYLIST OF THE YEAR
Diana Thai, Renzo Salon
Ella Stewart, Stevie English Hair
Georgia Coughlan, Hair Haven By Georgia
Jade Veitch, Etcher Salon

NEW CREATIVE TALENT OF THE YEAR
Amelia WInen, SJ Establishment
Paige Cameron, Cobelle Creative

MEN’S HAIR SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
Irfan Ozalp, Meticulous Room
Luke Munn, Havachat Barbershop
Matt Clarke, Esquire Male Grooming
Naser, Naser Haircuts
Ryan Poole, Esquire Male Grooming

AVANT GARDE HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
AhKim, AhKim Art of Hair
Bill Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Danny Pato, D&M Hair Design
Joshua Congreve, Togninis Hair
Lauren McIlrath, LM Hair Creative
Louise Blake, TONI&GUY Cronulla
Paige Cameron, Cobelle Creative
Scott Sheehy, TONI&GUY Newtown

AI COLLECTION OF THE YEAR
Bill Tsiknaris
Brodie Tsiknaris
Domi Cherie
Geoffrey Herberg
Johnny Georgiou

MASTER CUTTER OF THE YEAR
Harrison Sansom, Stevie English Hair
Shae Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Teagan Cousins, Telleish Hair Studio

MASTER COLOURIST OF THE YEAR
Amber Bullock, Bond Hair Religion
Chris Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Danielle Blakeley, Yoshiko Hair
Domi Cherie, Tsiknaris Hair
Kristie Kesic, Cobelle Creative
Krystle Tokunai, Tokunai Hair
Leanne Kay, Stevie English

SALON TEAM OF THE YEAR
Biba Academy
Bond Hair Religion
Ella&Jade
Miss Jaye Salon
Rubi Hair
Tokunai Hair
Tsiknaris Hair

COLLECTIVE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Breakthrough Team
(Laura Szakaly, TONI&GUY South Yarrah, Tia Wright-Pihama, TONI&GUY Perth, Liam Johnson, TONI&GUY MosmanM, Delphine Kanuma, TONI&GUY McMahons Pt)
Industry Creative
(Sara Allsop, Jock Robson, Mana Dave, Majid Joshan, Carla Southan, Ronica Samung)
Tsiknaris Hair & Rokstar
(Tsiknaris Hair Team and Rokstar Team)

NSW/ACT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
AhKim, AhKim Art of Hair
Carolyn Gahan, Quarry Avenue
Harrison Sansom, Stevie English Hair
Jenni Tarrant, Bond Hair Religion
Leanne Kay, Stevie English
Louise Blake, TONI&GUY Cronulla

VIC HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Benjamin Martin, Salon XVI
Bridget Beaton, Biba
Danielle Blakeley, Yoshiko Hair
Teagan Cousins, Telleish Hair Studio

QLD HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Domi Cherie, Tsiknaris Hair
Joshua Congreve, Togninis Hair
Krystle Tokunai, Tokunai Hair
Shae Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair

WA/NT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Jude McEwen, TONI&GUY Perth
Mikelah-Jayde Riley, Mikelah-Jayde Studio
Naser, Naser Haircuts

SA/TAS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Demelza Button, Sfumato Hair
Lisa Robertson, Parlour Glenelg
Luke Munn, Havachat Barbershop

NZ NORTH ISLAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Anthony Bayer, Anthony Bayer Hair
Ella Thompson, Dharma

BTS DREAM TEAM OF THE YEAR
Master Colourist of the Year Collection by Amber Bullock
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole, Hairstylist: Jenni Tarrant, Make Up Artist: Kylie O’Toole, Stylist: Catherine V

VIC/TAS Hairdresser of the Year Collection by Benjamin Martin
Photographer: Liane Hurvitz, Make Up Artist: Jannice Wu, Stylist: Simone Farrugia

Australian Hairdresser of the Year Collection by Bernadette Beswick
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole, Colourist: Stevie English, Make Up Artists: Mikele Simone and Kylie O’Toole, Stylist: Catherine V and Carlos Mangubat.

Salon Team of the Year Collection by Bond Hair Religion
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole, Make Up Artist: Kylie O’Toole, Stylist: Catherine V

NSW/ACT Hairdresser of the Year Collection by Jenni Tarrant
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole, Make Up Artist: Kylie O’Toole, Stylist: Catherine V

WA/NT Hairdresser of the Year Collection by Jude McEwen
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole, Make Up Artist: Kylie O’Toole, Stylist: Ella Murphy

Australian Hairdresser of the Year Collection by Justin Pace
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole, Make Up Artist: Kylie O’Toole, Stylist: Catherine Madafferi.

Australian Hairdresser of the Year Collection by Nathan Yazbek
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole, Makeup Artist: Chereine Waddell, AI Fashion: Nathan Yazbek and Andrew O’Toole.

Australian Hairdresser of the Year Collection by Sam James
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole, Make Up Artist: Janice Wu. Stylist: Catherine V.

Australian Hairdresser of the Year Collection by Stephanie Bellairs
Photographer: David Mannah, Makeup artist: Laura Thomas, Stylist: Josie Mcmanus.

HOT SHOTS TEAM
Adam Harant, Wild Life SoGo
Amelia Winen, SJ Establishment
Benjamin Semple, Circles of Hair
Domi Cherie, Tsiknaris Hair
Elizabeth Stillisano, Eclectic Styles Hair Studio
Ella Stewart, Stevie English Hair
Harrison Sansom, Stevie English Hair
Jessica Del Borrello, Circles of Hair
Victoria Shayler, Sir Fletcher

INTERNATIONAL HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Daniele de Angelis, TONI&GUY
Darrel Starkey, Taylor’s Hair Studio
Dylan McConnachie, Palmer Fisher London
Emma Simmons, Salon 54
Errol Douglas MBE, Errol Douglas
Gary Hooker & Michael Young, Hooker & Young
Gary Taylor, Edward & Co Hairdressers
Mark Leeson, Mark Leeson
Sawamaru Pokir, Jiyume
Shogo Ideguchi, Fabric

NEW ZEALAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Andrew Cobeldick, Buoy Salon and Spa
Ann Marie Young, Jingles Hair Design
Jock Robson, Dharma
Kelly Manu, UNA
Kylie Hayes, Moha Hairdressing
Sara Allsop, Dharma
Shannon Dowd, Zibido Hair

AUSTRALIAN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Bernadette Beswick, Beswick Education Services
Bill Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Dee Parker Attwood, Wieselmann Salon
Justin Pace, Co and Pace Salons
Nathan Cherrington, Salon Zephyr
Nathan Yazbek, Salon Yazbek
Paul James Graham, Paul & Paul Salon
Sam James, SJ Establishment
Stephanie Bellairs, Cabello by Stephanie Bellairs

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