Congratulations to the talented finalists in the 2023 Australian Hair Industry Awards (Creative), which will take place on June 12, at The Star, Sydney, celebrating the weekend of hair, as combined with Hair Festival. Judged by a historic 90-strong judging panel, 108 nominations have been named across 18 versatile categories to honour the industry’s pioneers.

The awards are in their 12^th year as they continue to showcase the benchmark in the hairdressing community, with an anonymous ranking system that makes the judging process fair and even. This year’s illustrious panel included 37 international hair icons, 14 international hair media and six Australian media and industry experts, with names such as Sally Brooks, Akin Konizi, Angelo Seminara, Sam McKnight, Hooker and Young, Errol Douglas and Vivienne MacKinder. The HOTSHOTS team of emerging talents were judged by 33 Australian hair icons, who also judged International Hairdresser of the Year, and included the likes of Dee Parker-Attwood, Jayne Wild, Benni Tognini, Stevie English, Kobi Bokshish, Sharon Blain and Brad Ngata.

“There is so much hard work and dedication put on the line by all of our entrants, so we are always so proud to have our judging panel review and critique the amazing creativity of our industry,” said Mocha’s Linda Woodhead. “The diverse mix of judges is something that we have long strived for and the commitment each of them shows to supporting the local hair community is second to none. A big thank you to all of them and a huge congratulations to our incredible finalists for 2023.”

The awards are sponsored by Revlon Professional, Parlux, Amazing Hair, O&M, Wahl Professional and Silver Bullet, with a gala event that will include a hair fashion show and new after party concept hosted by Rogue Beauty. This will join with Hair Festival over June 11 and 12 to offer unparalleled education, networking, celebration, shopping and competition opportunities across the whole weekend.

Congratulations to all the finalists, listed below!

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

Cailie Willis, Em&Co Hair
Georgina Fardoulis, TONI&GUY Cronulla
Greta Molinaro, Analog Hair
Harper Allen, Jack Horton Hair
Kobi Lee, Flipped Hair
Megan Clarke, Pipsqueek in Saigon
Rebecca Steindl , Barber by Design
Stella Wrigley, Jack Horton Hair

MASTER CUTTER OF THE YEAR

Bernadette Beswick, Beswick Education Services
Domi Pinalli, Domi Pinalli Hair
Fabian Fuentes, Jack Horton Hair
Harrison Sansom, Stevie English Hair
Shae Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair

INDEPENDENT STYLIST OF THE YEAR

Benjamin Martin, Salon XVI
Diane Gorgievski, Koda Cutters
Domi Pinalli, Domi Pinalli Hair

AVANT GARDE HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

AhKim Anthony Tan, AhKim Art of Hair
Bill Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Joshua Congreve, Togninis Hair
Jude McEwen, TONI&GUY Perth Central
Louise Blake, TONI&GUY Cronulla
Louise Graham, Hey Hair
Paige Cameron, Cobelle Creative
Scott Sheehy, TONI&GUY Newtown

NEW CREATIVE TALENT OF THE YEAR

Anne Russell, Sloans of Lane Cove
Anno Shimizu, Wild Life Hair Origin
Evie Golding, Rokstar Salon
Hayley Warner, Oscar Oscar Salons Carindale
Louise Graham, Hey Hair
Majid Joshan, Dharma
Matt Tronson, The Factory Yarraville
Meghan King, Sloans of North Sydney
Natasha Tsangaris, Luke Reynolds Hairdressing
Tia Wright-Pihama, TONI&GUY Perth Central

CREATIVE TEAM OF THE YEAR

Alchemy Salon
Bach Hair
Flipped Hair
Jack Horton Hair Artistic Team
Noddys On King
Pipsqueek In Saigon
Sloans Creative Team
TONI&GUY – Breakthrough Team
Tsiknaris Hair
Wild Life SoGo

COLOUR EXPERT OF THE YEAR

Chris Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Jack Horton, Jack Horton Hair
Kristie Kesic, Cobelle Creative
Stevie Corthine, Stevie English Hair

MEN’S HAIR SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR

Clint Wallace, Barber by Design
David Metliss, An-Dryer’s Mullet and the Hair Studio
Georgie Bools, Stevie English Hair
Jock Robson, Dharma
Leigh Winsor, OneZeroOne
Lisa Robertson, Pipsqueek in Saigon
Luke Munn, Havachat Barbershop
Naser, Naser Haircuts

BTS DREAM TEAM OF THE YEAR

For Anne Russell
Photography: David Mannah. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Josie McManus.
For Bernadette Beswick and Stevie English
Photography: Andrew O’Toole. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Jessica Jade.
For Jack Horton + Fabian Fuentes
Photography: Amber Toms. Makeup: Ru Blackwell & Rachael Appleyard. Styling: Claudia Williams.
For Justin Pace
Photography: Andrew O’Toole. Make-up: Emma Chaisty. Styling: Melissa Nixon.
For Meghan King
Photography: David Mannah. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Josie McManus.
For Nathan Yazbek
Photography: Andrew O’Toole. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Catherine V.
For Shae Tsiknaris
Photography: Bill Tsiknaris. Make-up: Brooke Stanley.
For Sloans Creative Team
Photography: David Mannah. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Josie McManus.

HOT SHOTS TEAM

Anne Russell, Sloans of Lane Cove
Anno Shimizu, Wild Life Hair Origin
Domi Pinalli, Domi Pinalli Hair
Meghan King, Sloans of North Sydney
Mikelah Jayde Riley, Mikelah Jayde Studio
Natasha Tsangaris, Luke Reynolds Hairdressing
Paige Cameron, Cobelle Creative

NSW/ACT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

Kerri Di Mattia, Dimattia & Co
Leanne Kay, Stevie English Hair
Nathan Yazbek, Salon Yazbek

VIC HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

Benjamin Martin, Salon XVI
Bernadette Beswick, Beswick Education Services
Leigh Winsor, OneZeroOne

WA/NT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

David Metliss, An-Dryer’s Mullet and the Hair Studio
Naser, Naser Haircuts

QLD HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

Andre Faiva, Revolution Hairdressing
Bill Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Brodie Lee Tsiknaris, Rokstar
Elle Coco, Jack Horton Hair
Fabian Fuentes, Jack Horton Hair
Shae Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair

SA/TAS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

Lisa Robertson, Pipsqueek in Saigon
Luke Munn, Havachat Barbershop

INTERNATIONAL HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

Anne Pacito
Chrystofer Benson
Daniele De Angelis
Emma Simmons
Mark Leeson
Martin Crean
Michelle Pargee
Sawamaru Pokir

NEW ZEALAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

Andrew Cobeldick, Buoy Salon and Spa
Ann Marie Young, Jingles Hair Design
Danny Pato, D&M Hair Design
Kylie Hayes, Moha Hairdressing
Michael Beel, Michael Beel Hair
Sara Allsop, Dharma
Shannon Dowd, Zibido Hair

AUSTRALIAN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR

Bill & Brodie Tsiknaris, B&B Tsiknaris
Cristina Tatasciore, Flipped Hair
Dee Parker Attwood, Wieselmann Salon
Justin Pace, Co and Pace Salons
Sam James, SJ Establishment
Stephanie Bellairs, Cabello by Stephanie Bellairs

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