Hair Expo Awards 2009 - myhairdressersearch.com

By Rob Kotevski June 11 2009

Caterina DiBiase from Melbourne’s Heading Out Hair and Beauty took out the top honour of Australian Hairdresser of the Year at the Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards.

The gala event took place at the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour and the proceedings were hosted by Channel 7 TV personality Tom Williams.

Caterina also took home the award for Best Photographic Collection.

Australian Hairdresser of the Year is the most coveted award at the event and is judged by a panel of independent industry experts. The panel takes into account all areas of the finalist’s professional hairdressing career, from their photographic collection right through to prior recognition and involvement in the industry.

Beating nine other finalists to clinch the award, Caterina said, “The enormous talent of Australian hairdressers is renowned around the world and that’s why it’s such an honour to be recognised as Australian Hairdresser of the Year. It’s my passion and the dream that I love.”

Caterina was also named Hairdresser of the Year at the Hair Expo Awards in 2007.

Each year, Hair Expo culminates in the awards presentation evening, which is seen by many as the Oscars of the hairdressing industry. The Hair Expo Awards have been running for 24 years and is the longest running recognition event in the industry.

Earlier this year, hairdressing greats Sharon Blain and Jayne Wild were named as finalists for the Hair Expo Hairdresser of the Year trophy, along with Caterina.

Caterina and Brad Ngata were the head of the hair team at this year’s L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

NEW ZEALAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR: Adrian Barclay, Venom, Invercargill, NZ

COLOUR TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR: Jacen Ward, TONI&GUY, Paddington, NSW

SALON TEAM OF THE YEAR: Gary Latham, Wild Life Hair, Milsons Point, NSW

NEW CREATIVE FORCE: Jason Fassbender, Parlour Hair, Malvern, SA

SESSION HAIR STYLIST OF THE YEAR: Benn Jae, Look Production & Management, Darlinghurst, NSW

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR: Alexandra Kontos, Nischler, Hobart, TAS

BEST NEW SALON DESIGN: Cranium Hair, Manly, NSW

BEST PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION: Caterina DiBiase, Heading Out Hair & Beauty, Fitzroy, VIC

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: Dennis Langford, TONI&GUY, Paddington, NSW

EXCELLENCE IN SALON MARKETING: TONI&GUY, Paddington, NSW

EXCELLENCE IN HAIRDRESSING EDUCATION – REGISTERED ORGANISATION: BIBA Academy, Fitzroy, VIC

EXCELLENCE IN HAIRDRESSING EDUCATION – INDIVIDUAL: Sharon Blain, The Art of Hair, Pennant Hills, NSW

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE: Anthony and Susa Wynne-Hoelscher, Culture Magazine, Toowong, QLD

Stay tuned for more Hair Expo reports.

More hairdressing industry news.