Sunday November 10 saw the barber industry celebrate the winners of the fourth annual Australian Modern Barber Awards (AMBAS) at Brisbane’s character filled Tivoli Ballroom. With an after party sponsored by BeardDye also held on-site at the iconic art deco venue, it rounded the year out with a barber style bang as the last awards program for 2024, writes Cameron Pine.
Celebrating a unique community of barbers, educators, business owners, brands and more, the AMBAs bring an intimate and family-fuelled vibe to the hair industry awards landscape. Driven by the sharing of ideas and breaking down stereotypes, a refreshing network of more than 500 revelled in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere driven by teamwork and innovation in an exciting industry that continues to grow dramatically year on year.
Up about 20 per cent in numbers, entries and attendance over 2023 and created by Mocha Group, owners of the Australian Hair Industry Awards and Australian Beauty Industry Awards, the 2024 AMBAs awarded key winners including Star Barber’s Emma Dinon for AMBA Australian Modern Barber of the Year and Esq. Male Grooming for AMBA Australian Modern Barber Business of the Year, while AMBA International Modern Barber of the Year was awarded to the UK’s Robert Braid. Industry icon Frank Ciccone was also inducted into the AMBA Hall of Fame and Gareth Philpott’s huge impact was recognised with the Special Recognition Award.
Hosted by none other than the super charismatic and always cool Jules Tognini, the night started with an equally as energetic music performance by a ‘visually irresistible’ take on Robert Palmer’s iconic chart track, Simple Irresistible – complete with lead singer, scantily clad guitarists and true Tivoli style bass. Guests were in for a night of rock ‘n’ roll, barber style.
The painstakingly maintained auditorium has been graced by Bob Dylan, Silverchair, Nick Cave and Noel Gallagher and was also given a nightclub twist with the guest DJ pumping out tracks for almost two hours following the awards ceremony at the BeardDye after party – a refreshing change from a casino or function venue. The venue suited the individuality of the barber industry and the many characters within.
A significant announcement of the night was the media partnership in 2025 with EXPO4BARBERS, the only trade expo, barber battle and educational event specifically for the barber industry in Australia. Due to be held on May 3 to 5, 2025, the AMBAs will move dates to compliment this stellar event by being held on the final night of May 5 on the Gold Coast, with entries for 2025 due with a revised date of March 3.
“Playing such a key role in Australia’s barbering industry is a privilege. It’s always been a community built on tradition, skill, and a commitment to creativity and I’m proud to see how our barbers lead with passion and innovation to meet the needs of their clients,” said Mocha group owner and publisher Linda Woodhead. “The strength and resilience of this industry reminds myself and the Mocha Group team daily why the AMBAs are so important. A huge congratulations to all our winners.”
A night of celebration and such an opportunity to come together wouldn’t happen without the generous sponsors including Heiniger, American Barber, Dateline Imports, American Crew, Andis, Depot Male Tools, JRL, Reuzel, Shortcuts and Gamma+, with the official media partner, Barbershop Magazine as published by the mocha group. Each award submission was deliberated on by an independent panel of judges including media, PR and business specialists, international barbering icons and specialists in the barbering industry.
The AMBAs are looking forward to an even bigger and better awards night in 2025, in conjunction with the EXOPO4BARBERs showcasing their commitment to the barber industry with a stand-alone weekend designed especially for barbering.
Congratulations to the winners!
Men’s Hair Style Product of the Year
Sponsored by Barbershop Magazine
Natural Matte Cream by The Bearded Chap
Men’s Beard Product of the Year
Sponsored by Barbershop Magazine
Beard Serum by Dr Sleek Lab
Best Men’s Collection – Junior
Sponsored by American Barber
Jack Patroni, Ryan.Co Barbershop
Best Men’s Collection – Freestyle
Sponsored by Andis
Dylan Marks, Boy Barbershop
Best Business Director/Owner of the Year
Sponsored by Gamma+
Gregory Roe and Brook Phillips, Boy Barbershop
Best Customer Care
Sponsored by Shortcuts
Guys Grooming
Best Men’s Collection – Classic
Sponsored by Dateline Imports
Jordan Dimitriadis, Kings Domain Barber Shop Rialto Towers
Best Mens Education Organisation of the Year
Sponsored By Depot
4BARBER’S Education
Best Barbershop Design
Sponsored by VITAMAN
Jimmy Rods Barbershop Robina 2
Best Team Collection
Sponsored by American Crew
ZAK Grooming for Men
International Modern Barber of the Year
Sponsored by BEARDdye
Robert Braid, UK
Best Men’s Collection – BTS Crew
Sponsored by Barbershop Magazine
Sean Hayes, Australian Modern Barber Collection
Photographer: Kateriena Emmanuel. MUA: Riley Wallace
Australian Modern Barber Business of the Year
Sponsored by JRL and Reuzel
Esq. Male Grooming
Special Recognition Award
Sponsored by mocha group
Gareth Philpott
AMBA Hall of Fame
Sponsored by mocha group
Frank Ciccone
Australian Modern Barber of the Year
Sponsored by Heiniger
Emma Dinon, Star Barber
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