HAIR EXPO AWARDS FINALISTS – THE NEW GENERATION.
Over the past couple of years we’ve been hearing moans around the traps about the lack of new faces on show when it comes to the Hair Expo Australian Hairdressing Awards. But hey, entering the pinnacle of hair industry awards is by no means an easy or inexpensive feat. Submissions and photographic collections can take months of hard work and many dollars to go with it, so naturally, there’s only a certain amount of people who are willing and able to go the extra mile when it comes to entering the Expo awards. Just look at the calibre of past Australian Hair Expo of the Year winners – Shane Henning, Brad Ngata, and our current title holder Jayne Wild – and you’ll see what sort of creative gumption it takes to be a champion. Well in 2009, it seems that a whole new sea of talented hairdressers stepped up their game and took a punt by entering – and it paid off! This year, the next generation of Australian hairdressing is standing proud alongside some of the industry legends whose names we’re accustomed to seeing in the limelight. So we thought we’d take a look at some of the new faces who have climbed the ranks in the 2009 Hair Expo awards lineup. By Jenny Burns
New hairdressing blood – there’s plenty of it splashed throughout the Expo awards this year. A few notables weren’t in the running this year – and whether their absence made room for the next generation to strut their stuff or it all came down to sheer talent – who knows. But who cares anyway, it’s really exciting to see so many hardworking, familiar faces who perhaps have sat under the radar for a while, now with their names up in lights!
“I am delighted to see that our next generation is alive and creative,” says industry doyenne Sharon Blain, who has been a finalist and award winner at the Hair Expo awards for many years – and is a finalist this year once again for Australian Hairdresser of the Year. “We are so lucky to have such raw talent coming through the ranks. Their minds are so fresh and full of innovative ideas; and that is a good thing for the industry. The next generation believes that you do not have to copy or follow past winners to make the final list. They are confident enough to take a risk and do what they want.”
Mieka Hairdressing owner Tracey Hughes agrees with Sharon. “It's fantastic to see some new names nominated across all the categories. It's a very positive step forward for the industry, as it's supporting the next generation and keeping the motivation levels high. Entering the Hair Expo awards is always challenging, but it's great for your confidence levels because you get to look back at what you have achieved over the previous 12 months – plus it's good to take pride in your work, even if you don't win. We need the constant evolution of change coming through with new finalists, as it will inspire others to enter.”
Another multi-award winning finalist, Caterina di Biase, who received the Australian Hairdresser of the Year accolade in 2007, says, like everything in life, you always remember the first time.
“When I first became a finalist at Hair Expo, it was for Technician of the Year in 2001,” she recalls. “It was one of those magical moments. But I have to say, every time since has been pretty much the same – you never get blasé about being a Hair Expo finalist or especially, being a winner.
“As far as this year’s lineup goes, it is important that our industry sees new faces, and that we encourage them as they challenge the more established hairdressers to stay at the cutting edge or to move over. They are knocking – they want our titles!”
The category of Australian Hairdresser of the Year sported a few new names this year. One was hungry Toni&Guy stylist Matthew Webb, who has definitely been ‘working it’ for the past 12 months, shooting and networking to boost his already shiny profile.
“I believe we are at a very exciting time at the moment in hairdressing,” Matthew says. “So many new faces are making their way into the hairdressing awards and achieving great levels of success – and I think this is the result of two main factors. Firstly, the technology required to enter the awards has become more freely available and inexpensive, which has made the whole experience more accessible for younger members of a salon team. The general awareness of the difference between styling hair in a salon and styling hair on a shoot is recognised now more than ever before. People don’t just flick through the fashion stories in magazines any more; we stop and look to see who was involved and try to figure out how the look was created. This then inevitably triggers a curiosity that can only be parched by having a go!
“The second reason I believe is due to the level of support that is being provided by peers and business owners for their younger staff. This support may come in a number of ways, perhaps in the form of a financial sponsorship to fund a shoot or create a press pack for the awards. Or by providing training and education in the key skills which are required to enter the awards. Even the allowance of time provided to work on a project for the awards can be incredibly valuable.
“Although this is not the first time that I have entered the Hair Expo Awards, this is the first time that I have become a finalist for Australian Hairdresser of the Year, which is an overwhelming achievement in itself. Since I began entering the awards, the amount that I have learnt about myself, and my abilities as a hairdresser, has made the whole journey worthwhile. It is most certainly one that I will forever encourage my peers and juniors to try.”
Biba’s Frank Apostolopoulos from Melbourne is also a newcomer to the Australian Hairdresser of the Year finalist lineup, blowing many away with his stunning photographic collection that made plenty of jaws drop.
“I think it’s fantastic to see so many young people that have come through the ranks this year,” he says. “The finalists’ collections look amazing and I can definitely see these hairdressers becoming the next wave of superstars in the industry.”
Frank decided to use super hot snapper Andrew O’Toole to photograph his collection and put many hours of research, meetings and practice into place to get the look that he was trying to visually achieve.
“The second part of my preparation was my submission book,” he continues, “which counts for 50% of the entry. This was all about putting together the things that I had done for the industry over the past year, from educational shows, photo shoots and seminars, as well as all of my work that had been published in magazines and editorials. I tried keeping my submission as simple and sharp as I possibly could to attract the judges’ attention without trying to waffle on about how amazing I am! I think it’s all about having fun with the whole submission – how much fun it is to enter and how much love you have for your work and helping the industry where and when you can.”
Hamish Glianos is another new name on the Hairdresser of the Year finalist roll call, and having recently established his own business – People by Hamish Glianos – he says it’s a great way to kick off his own brand.
“This is about the third time I have entered the Expo awards - although this was the first time I felt completely prepared,” Hamish laughs. “I began getting ready for the shoot in November last year and gathered initial ideas in the way of mood boarding. I came up with about three different concepts before I pinned it down to one idea. The CV part of the submission was a gathering of all the previous years sweat and dedication and as we had a fantastic year both in business and with PR, I was excited at the prospect of this year’s entry.”
Hair Machine’s Damien Rinaldo is no newcomer to the Hair Expo awards – his first entry was a decade ago for the New Creative Force category. He says that as the top spots have been filled with the usual suspects for quite a few years, he’s excited to see some new names popping up.
“The new generation is definitely coming!” Damien says. “Most of us finalists in the Australian Hairdresser of the Year category either all know each other or have at least heard of one another around the traps – we all work really hard and keep busy within the industry to build our portfolios to compete at this level, so it’s great to see everyone getting their rewards!”
Rokk Ebony salon owner in Victoria and regular young gun of hairdressing Joey Scandizzo made the Australian Hairdresser of the Year finals again this year. He thinks it’s great that there is a high number of new faces in the finalist lineup: “It shows that our industry is getting motivated and involving a lot more of the great hairdressers out there!” he says.
“For me to become a finalist is an amazing accolade and provides great recognition amongst my peers. I start planning for my submission and my collection months before the deadline – I’m constantly looking for ideas and inspiration for my collections as it’s way too much work to leave it all to the last minute! The first time I entered it was all quite overwhelming, but now I know the process and I gather information throughout the year and record all the work that I contribute to the industry, so the process is smoother when I go to write my submission.”
It wasn’t just the big gong that showcased some fresh faces this year. Colour Technician sported a few new names, including Toni&Guy colourist Jacen Ward.
“Seeing newer faces emerging, demonstrating excellence at a level among the industry’s elite is an exciting and refreshing thing to see,” says Jacen. “Stylists such as our own Matthew Webb and Frank Apostolopoulos, who produce strong bodies of work as seen in this year’s Australian Hairdresser of the Year category shows that the industry’s ‘new generation’ of creative minds are on the rise.
“Even looking at this year’s Apprentice of the Year category – keeping in mind an apprentice’s primary role is to learn – the high standard of this year’s finalists show exceptional talent. It’s reassuring to see that the industry is in good hands.”
Jacen’s beautiful ‘Equestrian’ collection was four months in the making for the colourist and his team to ensure a clear vision of what Jacen wanted to achieve had finally been reached. But it’s definitely worth it.
“Becoming a finalist for Hair Expo Technician of the Year is the ultimate accolade, so to be considered for this is a privilege,” Jacen adds proudly.
Another finalist in the Technician category is Matt Clements from The Assembly Hair on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.
“Being a finalist is once again an honour,” says Matt, “as I believe Expo to be the best platform to gauge my standing as a professional colourist amongst my peers.
“My preparation for this year’s awards really started 12 months ago with the implementation of an education plan for myself and my staff at The Assembly. The gaining and sharing of new knowledge always sparks creativity and brings forward fresh ideas - to keep work interesting there is a constant need to stretch ourselves.”
Renee Walkom from Suki Hairdressing in Paddington has been a Hair Expo winner in the past – but this is the first time she has become a finalist in the New Creative Force category. She says it’s a dream come true.
“I would consider being a finalist in New Creative Force a highlight in what has been an amazing career to date,” Renee enthuses. “I feel so proud that my dedication throughout the year to the further development of our fantastic industry has led to recognition by my peers; the very ones that I look up to and respect. I have been a fortunate winner as part of the Suki team in the past, but to achieve this on my own is awesome. To win would be truly unbelievable!”
So there you have it – just a taste of what’s to come in Australian hairdressing. Good luck to all our finalists – whether you’re a first timer or a multi-award winner – the future of our industry is looking great!