Australian Hair Industry Awards 2022 winners, finalists share secrets of success
They’re a cut above the rest in their industry — and the NSW winners and finalists from the Australian Hair Industry Awards have shared what they cherish the most about a job that involves hard work, persistence and creativity.
Southern Courier
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A great hair day can make someone feel on top of the world.
But that often happens by appointment, not chance, which is also not to credit for the talented winners and finalists of the Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIA) 2022.
The AHIA give a state-by-state benchmark of excellence in the industry.
They’re split into two categories, with the creative winners recently announced at a Gala event in Sydney and the business ones to be judged at another glam event in October on the Gold Coast. Both categories are judged by an independent panel of judges made up of media and industry specialists.
Here are some words from the NSW creative winners:
Stevie English – Stevie English Hair, Sydney
Award won: Colourist of the year
Stevie English is a household name in the hair world.
The three-times colourist of the year winner began his career 29 years ago in London. At 25-years-old he moved to Australia where he opened his own salon 15 years ago.
Creativity is what Mr English believes makes him stand out. But it’s the connections with his clients that makes him feel like he’s never worked a day in his life.
“I’ve seen their kids grow up, weddings and promotions,” he said.
“I’m the most stable man in some of their lives. I’m their support system through major life challenges such as cancer, deaths or other life turmoil. It’s more than a job”.
Ella Stewart – Stevie English Hair, Glebe, Sydney
Award won: Apprentice of the year
Also part of the Stevie English team, Ella Stewart is the hardworking and artistic apprentice, who loves how hairdressing opens up an outlet for all her “chaotic creative energy”.
Constantly learning and making others happy are two big bonuses, she said.
As a teenager, Ms Stewart began experimenting with colour, something she took with her as she joined the music industry and constantly played with her stage looks.
Hairdressing and its accompanying photo shoots are an art form, Ms Stewart said.
“Self-expression and creativity thrive. Our family atmosphere fosters this expression and allows me to produce works of art,” she said.
France Khamees – By France, King St, Sydney
Award won: Men’s Hair Specialist of the year
From featuring in high profile editorials such as GQ magazine to working at several award-winning salons and adding regularly to his trophy pile, France Khames has achieved a lot in his 15-year hair career, spent half in Melbourne and half in Sydney.
But opening his salon, By France, along with a brand of the same name, was his biggest one yet.
“I wanted to challenge and better myself. I was ready to uncover the creative part in me,” he said.
“My collection, FUTURE FUTURE, had all the elements of hair texture, tones and styles as well as clothing fashion that showcased my work and vision, which stood out to the judges and people in the hair industry”.
Carolyn Jayun Gahan, Sydney
Award won: independent stylist of the year
Not many three-year-olds carry out their aspirations as grown ups, but that was the case for Carolyn Jayun.
As a toddler, she told her mother she wanted to be a hairdresser. More than two decades into her career, she hasn’t looked back.
Providing a one-on-one service with not only hair but also fashion-styling and wig hire was what made her unique, she said.
“I have to be honest and say the best thing about my job is having my two chihuahuas next to me all day. My clients want to see the dogs more than me,” she joked.
These are some of the AHIA NSW Business finalists:
DiMattia & Co, Grafton
Award nomination: State Salon Business of the Year NSW/ACT
The large team of 10 stylists and four assistants that make up DiMattia & Co is a far cry from Kerrie Dimattia’s humble beginnings in the industry 42 years ago.
Seven years into her career, she and her family moved to the rural town of Grafton, which she fell in love with and where she has stayed since.
“Hairdressing is an ever-evolving industry,” she said.
“The landscape that we work in and language we communicate with today, especially after the pandemic, is incredibly different to that of even three-to-five years ago.”
“We have noticed over recent years our clients more than ever are looking for an experience and more importantly to feel valued … they also want the option of flexibility.”
Salon Purpose, Manly, Sydney
Award nomination: State Salon Business of the Year NSW/ACT
Nicki Ranatawake only ever worked in one salon before opening her own one a few years ago.
And in those 16 years and 9 months she learned everything she knows, even travelling overseas to pass on those lessons.
The journey of her current salon began in her home suburb of Allambie Heights in Sydney’s north and has moved to the heart of lively Manly, where her clientele list expanded from 12 to 2,400.
Giving back to disadvantaged communities is a priority for the Salon Purpose team.
As well as sponsoring eight children in Uganda and Zambia, they raised more than $6,000 in two weeks via their ‘With Love’ campaign, in which clients donate $25 to a charity cause of their choice.
These NSW finalists were nominated for the Creative category. Although they didn’t win, it was still a huge achievement to make it that far:
Scott Sheehy – Toni & Guy Newtown, Sydney
Award nomination: Avant-Garde hairdresser of the year
“Literal blood, sweat and tears” is how Scott Sheehy describes his industry, but says it’s all worth it when it’s a “deep set passion”.
Alternating between his field of specialties as style director, head technician and freelance session stylist, Mr Sheehy said he got where he is today thanks to hard work, dedication and saying yes to almost everything.
“Because opportunities are born from being open to letting things in,” he said.
“I find a thrill in being able to produce artistic pieces that can be showcased within the hair industry and over time I’ve been dreaming of having them shown in museums”.
While his work can get extremely emotionally taxing, he said most of the time he feels like he’s catching up with good mates instead of clients.
And he lives by this quote: “It is not happiness that brings you gratitude, it is gratitude that brings you happiness”.
Mary Alamine – Royals Hair, Brookvale, Sydney
Award nomination: Australian hairdresser of the year
When co-owner, educator and creative director of the Royals Hair Salons Mary Alamine had her very own show at Fashion Week, her creative side was awakened.
An award-winning Ms Alamine, who said creating a collection is about telling a story, has directed shows at fashion weeks in New York and at home in Sydney.
“I love having people interpret my art in their own way,” she said.
“It takes an immense amount of courage to put your art out in the open and to have it judged by your peers”.
One of the most memorable moments for Ms Alamine, who heads four salons with more than 50 workers and a training academy, was putting in hair extensions for a little girl with severe Alopecia.
“It was the first time she had seen herself with hair,” Ms Alamine said.
“She looked in the mirror and said ‘I look so pretty’ and we all couldn’t help but cry.”.
Anno Shimizu – Wild Life Hair Origin, Milsons Point, Sydney
Award nomination: Apprentice of the year
Swapping ballet shoes for hair scissors was a big decision for Senior Stylist at Wild Origin, Anno Shimizu, but the former dancer is glad she made the jump.
“I am lucky enough to have the support of a great team behind me, led by Jayne Wild, which allows me to be able to show my creativity at various fashion weeks, training seminars and Goldwell photo shoots and continually express my creativity to the world,” she said.
“I believe my vision, which was incorporated from my heritage, made my work more personal, and I think it showed in my collections images to the judges”.
Georgie Bools – Stevie English Hair, Sydney
Award nomination: Men’s hair colourist of the year
Georgie Bools began her hair journey in her hometown of Plymouth in the UK, where she completed her apprenticeship, competed in hair competitions across England and ran a successful clientele.
After three years, she booked a one-way ticket to Sydney and never looked back.
“I love that I can leave my creative mark on people’s heads,” she said, referencing the best part about her job.
“I always give my best”.
Steven Candelaria – Exhibit A Hair Salon, Miranda, Sydney
Award nomination: avant-garde Hairdresser of the year
Steven Candelaria never underestimates the power of listening.
By combining his creative work with the simple act of hearing people’s struggles, he feels he becomes more than a salon owner and hairdresser.
“Listening is actually a very powerful tool,” he said.
“And what seems to be a normal day to us might be life-changing to those around us”.
Opening a salon during Covid was challenging, but Mr Candelaria said his unique take of allowing staff flexibility, including the rare option to have Saturdays off, has contributed to Exhibit A’s success.
“Having the ability to make someone feel good about how they look is what I love the most,” he said.
“Guests walk in feeling tired and overwhelmed with life, and I have the ability to let them walk out feeling a million dollars”.
Willomina, Woollahra, Sydney
Award nomination: Creative Team of the Year
Eighteen years ago, Willomina owner Christopher Hunter had a hairdressing girlfriend and thought it looked like fun, so he joined her.
Now, he couldn’t imagine doing anything else. When he’s not cutting hair, he’s working behind the scenes to run the business.
“I got to where I am now by working really bloody hard,” Mr Hunter said.
“I believe I’ve been nominated for this award because at Willomina we provide a kind of authenticity that can be hard to come by in a salon environment”.
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