Congratulations to the winners in the Hair Festival Competitions for 2024! This year, Hair Festival awarded three Hair Festival Champions for the first time ever, celebrating the best of the best in Barber, Stylist and Rising Star. Individual category winners and placers were also announced in a myriad of titles, including multiple new categories in nine total competitions, to decide these winners and the ultimate champions.

Hosted at a new time slot of Monday morning, July 31, over the buzzing Hair Festival weekend, and for the first-time taking place on the all-new THE STAGE. in the Festival Hub, the competitions were an epicentre of creativity, competitiveness and old school hair talent at its very best. Hairdressers of all levels competed across the creative spectrum in men’s hair, women’s style, colour and more, and then paraded their looks on stage for both the judges and an engaged audience.

Sponsored by O&M, every competitor received O&M product prizes just for throwing their hats and talents in the ring. Thanks to the brand, each winner was awarded $300, while highly commended and runner up selections took home $200 and $100 respectively. The Hair Festival trophy and editorial coverage rounded out some of the enticing prizes.

Congratulations to Inspired by Colour winner Aimee Egan of Aimee Egan Hair, who took home first prize, while Benjamin Tuita of BOY+Co Barber Studio was highly commended and Harrison Sansom of Stevie English Hair was runner-up. In the all-new Bridal category Pearlin McCarthy of Pearlin Hair & Makeup Artistry, Carmen Rogers of Carmen Hair Artistry and Aimee Egan again were awarded first place, highly commended and runner-up, respectively.

In the always competitive field of the Rising Star Barber Cutting Competition, Matteo Baroni of Antisystem Barbershop, Nathan Gomo of Empire Barbers Pty Ltd and Blair Martin of Tommy Gun’s won first place, highly commended and runner-up, respectively. The Barber Street titles went to winner Ritika Luthra of Hairhouse Warehouse, highly commended Harrison Sansom and runner up Ali Zaabalawi of A.Z The Barber. In the Men’s Total Look Harrison won first place, Bejamin was highly commended and Hsiang Chou of IKIGAI BARBERS was runner up.

In the new Rising Star Blow Dry field, Paige Casanovas of The Loft Hair Salon was the winner, Caitlyn Green of The Rumours Are True was highly commended and Yanin Devine of Amara Organic Hair Salon was runner up.

In women’s looks, the Rising Star Women winner was named as Harrison Poor of Maverick Hair and Art, Chelsey Bryer of Noho Hair Co was named highly commended and Tova Mkoko of Franck Provost was decided as the runner up. The Glam Slam Women’s Total Look first place was awarded to Rose Thorogood of The Hair Posey, highly commended was given to Carmen Rogers of Carmen Hair Artistry and Aimee Egan was runner up. Women’s Street Style first place, highly commended and runner up went to Harrison Sansom, Candy Stayte of Candy’s Coiffure and Curls and Donna Santaella of Tayloring Your Hair.

Well done to the first ever Hair Festival champions – Harrison Sansom was named the Hair Festival Barber Champion, Aimee Egan was awarded the Hair Festival Stylist Champion and Harrison Poor was named as Hair Festival Rising Star.

The Hair Festival judges consisted of Karen Hopwood, Russell Hyde, Eoin McCarthy, Dario Cotroneo, Leigh Winsor, Antonio Sorgiovanni and Kristie Roberti, with compere Peter Elchaar and Chairman of Judges Paul Elchaar. Floor judges included Sherelle Mondo and Shannon Ladikos amidst TAFE teachers and associates.

Well done to all the winners, placers and competitors for bringing an electric competition atmosphere to Hair Festival and inspiring on stage. Start getting ready for next year – the Hair Festival trophy could be yours!

For more information visit www.hairfestival.com.au

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