The winners of the 2025 CURATE Awards, which celebrate emerging talent across Australia and New Zealand, have been announced. Third-year apprentice Jess Wilson from Zibido Hair in Hamilton triumphed in the New Zealand Colour & Style Category.

Expanding to New Zealand for the first time, this year’s iteration of the awards reached new heights, with nearly a 50 per cent increase in entries across the digital platform. Apprentices were tasked with producing a two-minute video that highlighted their cutting, colouring, and styling skills, with assessments based on their hair creations, finished results and video editing techniques.

The esteemed judging panel featured prominent figures in hairdressing, including New Zealand talents Andrew Cobeldick, Danny Pato, Richard Kavanagh, and Sara Allsop.

“We can’t express how proud we are of our Jess. This is the first time New Zealand apprentices have been able to enter. This is such an incredible achievement and we can’t wait to see how far she will go,” shared Zibido Hair on Instagram.

The winners will now prepare online with Justin for a full-day photo shoot workshop in Sydney, which is just one element of the prize pool valued at over $51,000. Prizes also include tickets to Hair Festival 2025 and the AHIA Creative Awards Gala, L’Oréal ACCESS Education vouchers, Excellent Edges scissors, ghd electrical tools, ELEVEN Australia products, Sustainable Salons goodie bags, a biography from Lily Blue Communications and exposure within the industry throughout 2025.

“Working with our winners last year was such a personal highlight, but I also truly believe that the success of these Awards is crucial for the longevity and sustainability of our industry. Hairdressing is an incredibly fulfilling and exciting career and I want every apprentice and aspiring apprentice to feel that. I can’t wait to work with our five amazing talents this year. Watch this space for the magic we will create!” said competition founder and Brisbane hairdresser Justin Pace.

Congratulations Jess!