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
Instagram: @aushairindustryawards
#ahia2021