View the 2023 AHIA New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year
New Zealand based hair icon Danny Pato of D&M Hair Design had a historic night at the Australian Hair Industry Awards (Creative) over the June long weekend. Danny not only took home the title of New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year for the third year running in this awards platform and the seventh consecutive year in the title at large, he was also given the tremendous honour as the latest inductee to the Dennis Langford Hall of Fame.
On accepting these awards, Danny spoke of the power of hairdressing and creation, and how finding the salon community made him feel like coming home as an immigrant and member of the LGBT community looking to find his place and people.
Known for his iconic works of hair art, Danny’s winning 2023 collection no different. Titled Heroine, the collection is inspired by “iconic heroines from across pop culture – manga, video games, comic books and super hero films, as a celebration and exaggeration of the queen, the goddess and the warrior”. The collection pays tribute to the defining titular character – a mythological or legendary woman often of divine descent having great strength or ability”.
The collection created this aesthetic with Danny’s unparalled use of rainbow hues, artistic textures and versatile shapes, with animated-style beauty and fashion to offer a true sense of character. With Avant Garde, bold looks that merge hairdressing with true artistry, Danny offered another memorable editorial creation.
The collection was created with photographer Mara Sommer, with makeup by Kiekie Stanners and styling by Rachel Morton and Danny himself.