Chinney Yeap of Salute Hair Skin Spa went back-to-back at this week’s 2024 Australian Hair Fashion Awards, impressively taking home the title of New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year for the second consecutive year. The awards honoured creative hairdressers in state, national and global titles, as well as awarding business and product winners.

Chinney’s Eastern-inspired collection, titled Empowering Elegance, wowed judges with bold, gravity-defying hair shapes, long hair lengths, intricate braids, interesting dual-tone colours and unique, modern and Avant Garde ways to express these various techniques. Traditional fashion styling with more contemporary beauty finished the collection, in what Chinney described as “a celebration of strength”.

“My collection this year drew inspiration from ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ and the unwavering spirit of women leaders across the globe. It’s a celebration of the multifaceted beauty and strength that woman embody regardless of heritage,” she shared.

The creative team behind the scenes consisted of photographer Jock Robson, makeup by Chay Roberts and fashion styling by Claudia Li.

New Zealand hairdressing and Salute Hair Skin Spa had a stellar night on Monday, with Michael Beel also taking home the title of Editorial Stylist of the Year. Congratulations to Chinney and the whole team!