The 2023 Australian Hair Industry Awards- Creative has been judged by 90 of the most diverse and dynamic global industry names to find Australia’s best of the best and this year, 108 worthy Finalists have been named across 18 categories.
Launched in 2012 by esteemed trade visionaries Mocha Group, the AHIA’s are celebrating their 12th year as the trusted national award platform which provides a benchmark of excellence across both specialist and individual Educational and Business categories and the third year for the Creative categories. The Creative Awards platform was born out of a need for Australia’s most inventive hair minds to shine in front of their peers with categories featuring a balance of trends-focused photographic collection work and written submissions representative of the exciting talent.
Entries this year were judged by 37 International Hair Icons, 14 International Hair Media and 6 Australian Media and Industry Experts including Sally Brooks, Akin Konizi, Angelo Seminara, Sam McKnight, Hooker and Young, Errol Douglas and Vivienne MacKinder, as well as Trade and Consumer Media including Charlotte Grant West, Editor of HJI, Sergi Bancells, Editor of Esthetica and Christina Butcher of Hair Romance.
The awards will also see the announcement of the much-anticipated HOTSHOTS team for 2023, putting a spotlight on the industry’s most exciting next-gen talent and providing the chance for those 31 and under to take their career to a whole new level. This crew were judged by 33 Australian Hair icons, who also judged International Hairdresser of the Year and included the likes of Dee Parker-Attwood, Jayne Wild, Benni Tognini, Stevie English, Kobi Bokshish, Sharon Blain and Brad Ngata. Hot Shots is proudly sponsored by Joico, EVY Professional, Excellent Edges, Amazing Hair, Wahl Pro and Timely
Mocha’s Linda Woodhead is thrilled to announce the worthy finalists, saying: “There is so much hard work and dedication put on the line by all of our entrants, so we are always so proud to have our judging panel review and critique the amazing creativity of our industry. The diverse mix of judges is something that we have long strived for and the commitment each of them shows to supporting the local hair community is second to none. A big thank you to all of them and a huge congratulations to our incredible finalists for 2023.”
The AHIA CREATIVE is sponsored by Revlon Professional, Parlux, Amazing Hair, O&M, Wahl Professional and Silver Bullet and the gala night will be held on the last night of HAIR FESTIVAL over the King’s Birthday long weekend at The Star, Sydney. As always, there will be plenty of surprises in store on the night as the industry celebrates, including a spectacular Opening Showcase and exciting new after-party concept hosted by Rogue Beauty.
2023 AHIA CREATIVE Finalists
Apprentice of the Year
Cailie Willis, Em&Co Hair
Georgina Fardoulis, Toni&Guy Cronulla
Greta Molinaro, Analog Hair
Harper Allen, Jack Horton Hair
Kobi Lee, Flipped Hair
Megan Clarke, Pipsqueek in Saigon
Rebecca Steindl , Barber by Design
Stella Wrigley, Jack Horton Hair
Master Cutter of the Year
Bernadette Beswick, Beswick Education Services
Domi Pinalli, Domi Pinalli Hair
Fabian Fuentes, Jack Horton Hair
Harrison Sansom, Stevie English Hair
Shae Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Independent Stylist of the Year
Benjamin Martin, Salon XVI
Diane Gorgievski, Koda Cutters
Domi Pinalli, Domi Pinalli Hair
Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year
AhKim Anthony Tan, AhKim Art of Hair
Bill Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Joshua Congreve, Togninis Hair
Jude McEwen, Toni&Guy Perth Central
Louise Blake, Toni&Guy Cronulla
Louise Graham, Hey Hair
Paige Cameron, Cobelle Creative
Scott Sheehy, Toni&Guy Newtown
New Creative Talent of the Year
Anne Russell, Sloans of Lane Cove
Anno Shimizu, Wild Life Hair Origin
Evie Golding, Rokstar Salon
Hayley Warner, Oscar Oscar Salons Carindale
Louise Graham, Hey Hair
Majid Joshan, Dharma
Matt Tronson, The Factory Yarraville
Meghan King, Sloans of North Sydney
Natasha Tsangaris, Luke Reynolds Hairdressing
Tia Wright-Pihama, Toni&Guy Perth Central
Creative Team of the Year
Alchemy Salon
Bach Hair
Flipped Hair
Jack Horton Hair Artistic Team
Noddys On King
Pipsqueek In Saigon
Sloans Creative Team
Toni&Guy Au - Breakthrough Team
Tsiknaris Hair
Wild Life SoGo
Colour Expert of the Year
Chris Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Jack Horton, Jack Horton Hair
Kristie Kesic, Cobelle Creative
Stevie Corthine, Stevie English Hair
Men's Hair Specialist of the Year
Clint Wallace, Barber by Design
David Metliss, An-Dryer's Mullet and the Hair Studio
Georgie Bools, Stevie English Hair
Jock Robson, Dharma
Leigh Winsor, OneZeroOne
Lisa Robertson, Pipsqueek in Saigon
Luke Munn, Havachat Barbershop
Naser, Naser Haircuts
BTS Dream Team of the Year
For Anne Russell
Photography: David Mannah. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Josie McManus.
For Bernadette Beswick and Stevie English
Photography: Andrew O’Toole. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Jessica Jade.
For Jack Horton + Fabian Fuentes
Photography: Amber Toms. Makeup: Ru Blackwell & Rachael Appleyard. Styling: Claudia Williams.
For Justin Pace
Photography: Andrew O’Toole. Make-up: Emma Chaisty. Styling: Melissa Nixon.
For Meghan King
Photography: David Mannah. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Josie McManus.
For Nathan Yazbek
Photography: Andrew O'Toole. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Catherine V.
For Shae Tsiknaris
Photography: Bill Tsiknaris. Make-up: Brooke Stanley.
For Sloans Creative Team
Photography: David Mannah. Make-up: Chereine Waddell. Styling: Josie McManus.
Hot Shots Team
Anne Russell, Sloans of Lane Cove
Anno Shimizu, Wild Life Hair Origin
Domi Pinalli, Domi Pinalli Hair
Meghan King, Sloans of North Sydney
Mikelah Jayde Riley, Mikelah Jayde Studio
Natasha Tsangaris, Luke Reynolds Hairdressing
Paige Cameron, Cobelle Creative
NSW/ACT Hairdresser of the Year
Kerri Di Mattia, Dimattia & Co
Leanne Kay, Stevie English Hair
Nathan Yazbek, Salon Yazbek
VIC Hairdresser of the Year
Benjamin Martin, Salon XVI
Bernadette Beswick, Beswick Education Services
Leigh Winsor, OneZeroOne
WA/NT Hairdresser of the Year
David Metliss, An-Dryer's Mullet and the Hair Studio
Naser, Naser Haircuts
QLD Hairdresser of the Year
Andre Faiva, Revolution Hairdressing
Bill Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Brodie Lee Tsiknaris, Rokstar
Elle Coco, Jack Horton Hair
Fabian Fuentes, Jack Horton Hair
Shae Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
SA/TAS Hairdresser of the Year
Lisa Robertson, Pipsqueek in Saigon
Luke Munn, Havachat Barbershop
International Hairdresser of the Year
Anne Pacito
Chrystofer Benson
Daniele De Angelis
Emma Simmons
Mark Leeson
Martin Crean
Michelle Parge
Sawamaru Pokir
New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year
Andrew Cobeldick, Buoy Salon and Spa
Ann Marie Young, Jingles Hair Design
Danny Pato, D&M Hair Design
Kylie Hayes, Moha Hairdressing
Michael Beel, Michael Beel Hair
Sara Allsop, Dharma
Shannon Dowd, Zibido Hair
Australian Hairdresser of the Year
Bill & Brodie Tsiknaris, B&B Tsiknaris
Cristina Tatasciore, Flipped Hair
Dee Parker Attwood, Wieselmann Salon
Justin Pace, Co and Pace Salons
Sam James, SJ Establishment
Stephanie Bellairs, Cabello by Stephanie Bellairs
For more information, please contact Jo Coles at jo@lilyblue.com.au or 0457 576 83.
