As Australia’s hair industry finally starts taking steps to reopen, rebuild and recover, Sunday 28 November saw the winners of the 2021 AHIA- Business categories announced on social media livestream as entrants watched on with anticipation. After an incredibly challenging 18 months and the disappointment of the cancelled awards gala event due to continued border uncertainty, it was time for these talented creatives to celebrate with their teams closer to home.

Launched in 2014 by esteemed media company Mocha Group, the AHIA- Business are the trusted national award platform which provide a benchmark of excellence across specialist, group and individual categories. The 2021 awards marked the largest number of entries ever received in the AHIA history across the 27 awards demonstrating the importance that this program has within the hair industry framework, pushing each and every hairdresser and salon owner to be their best on set, backstage and behind the chair.

Sponsors included some of the biggest brands in the industry including EVY, Timely, Wella, L’Oreal, Salon Lane, Excellent Edges, Revlon, Redken, Zing Project, Schwarzkopf, Shortcuts, Sustainable Salons, Kitomba, KMS, Goldwell, Private Label Dynamics, Hot Tools and DNA. The comprehensive list of expert judges includes Charles Marcus (Canada), Ruth Hunsley (UK), Faye Murry and Julie Bellinger-Gibb (UK) as well as media including Nicole Healy – Melbourne Hair Blogger, Samantha McMeekin – Beautyheaven, Amy Starr – Freelance Beauty Journalist, Louise May – Hair Biz and Clare Lamberth – Beauty Biz. This year’s judges all agreed that the calibre of the entries was outstanding.

Mocha’s Linda Woodhead was proud to see the industry rally yet again to cheer on their peers,

“Yet another awards gala cancellation couldn’t dampen our excitement and keeping in touch with all of our finalists via social media during the livestream announcement really felt like we were all together again. My hugest congratulations to all our deserving winners and you best believe that we will all make up for it at the 2022 AHIA’s as the industry finally reconnects.”

2021 AHIA BUSINESS WINNERS

CARE TREAT AND STYLE PRODUCT AWARDS

CARE

Sponsored By HARBIZ

Pure Organic Goddess Shampoo & Conditioner

TREAT

Sponsored By HARBIZ

Heliplex One Step Bond Complex

 

STYLE

Sponsored By HARBIZ

DNA Antifrizz Hydro Crème

Best Business Performance of the Year

Sponsored By HARBIZ

Foil Me

 

Salon Team Member of the Year

Sponsored By Excellent Edges

Evie Golding, Rokstar

 

Salon Manager/Co-Ordinator of the Year

Sponsored By Wella Professionals

Meagan O’Connor, Oscar Oscar Salons – Broadbeach

 

Business Director/Owner of the Year

Sponsored By Kitomba

Amy Gaudie, Urban Chic

 

Sole Operator of the Year

Sponsored By Salon Lane

Nicole Kae

 

Salon Team of the Year

Sponsored By Goldwell

Togninis

 

Educator of the Year – Individual

Sponsored By Redken

Jules Tognini

 

Educator of the Year – Organisation

Sponsored By Sustainable Salons

MIG Training

 

Best In Salon Training

Sponsored By Zing Project

DiMattia & Co

 

Best Salon Design

Sponsored By KMS

Allure The Salon

 

Best Marketing

Sponsored By Shortcuts

The Fox & The Hair

 

Best Customer Care

Sponsored By Schwarzkopf Professional

Bond Hair Religion

 

Best Eco Salon

Sponsored By DNA Organics

Little Birdie Hair Co

 

Salon Business Newcomer of the Year

Sponsored By Revlon Professional

Etcher

 

State Salon Business of the Year NSW/ACT

Sponsored By Hot Tools

Bond Hair Religion

 

State Salon Business of the Year QLD

Sponsored By Wella Professionals

Tigerlamb Coorparoo

 

State Salon Business of the Year SA/TAS

Sponsored By Timely

SJ Establishment

 

State Salon Business of the Year VIC

Sponsored By EVY Professional

Oscar Oscar – Chadstone

 

State Salon Business of the Year WA/NT

Sponsored By L’Oreal Professionnel

Circles of Hair

 

AUSTRALIAN WHOLESALER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored By Private Label Dynamics

Salon Depot

 

Special Recognition Award

Sponsored By L’Oreal Professionnel

Leanne Cutler, Siren Marketing & Hair Shots 2 the World

 

AUSTRALIAN SALON OF THE YEAR

Sponsored By HAIRBIZ

Bond Hair Religion

 

Facebook:  Australian Hair Industry Awards

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