The 2023 Australian Hair Fashion Awards (AHFAs) took to Sydney’s The Star to celebrate the editorial prowess of our talented hairdressing community, in an evening where hair art, fashion and entertainment collided. Honouring 25 winners across business, regional, creative and product categories, the awards paved the way for industry leaders in innovation, education and editorial prowess.
Festivities included a runway showed entitled Utopia, with ethereal and Avant Garde deity and underworld inspired models taking to the stage amidst a live violin performance and gravity-defying aerialist stunts, thanks to Dyson Styling Ambassadors Renya Xydis, Michael Beel and Damien Rinaldo. Performances from Club Sol and DJ Tigerlily had the entire audience on their feet throughout the night, before the official after party.
The globally heralded awards platform, hosted by Faustina ‘Fuzzy’ Agolley, newly awarded international names, the best in each state, New Zealand’s finest and the unparalleled Australian Hairdresser of the Year title. Congratulations to Lyndal Salon of BIBA Academy for this major win, who took to the stage amongst on-stage fireworks and spoke to the significance of this winning platform to lead this industry from the front. Paying tribute to 25 individual winners, the evening gave nods to some of the industry’s most experienced names, such as Stevie English and Sharon Blain, as well as first-time winners who gave emotional thanks to the meaning of the titles. Well done to all the winners, listed below!
The event paid tribute to the power of hair in figures both established and emerging. F.A.M.E. Team Managing Director Jack Morton honoured the 2023 team and the massive impact of this role on his life and work, while a selection of the awards’ international judges, Errol Douglas, Jordan Robertson, James Earnshaw, Richy Kandasamy, Sergi Bancells, Mikel Luzea, spoke to the enormous skill in the Australian industry, which made all their jobs very hard.
Presented with Dyson acting as Presenting Partner for the fourth year running and welcoming Revlon Professional as Official Colour Partner, the AHFAs continue to expand and inspire. If the energy, talent and sense of shared camaraderie didn’t motivate you to try out for 2024, nothing will.
2023 AHFA Award Winners
PRESENTING PARTNER:
Dyson
OFFICIAL COLOUR PARTNER:
Revlon Professional
CREATIVE GROUP CATEGORIES
Sponsored by APE the Label
AHFA Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Dyson
Lyndal Salmon | BIBA Academy
AHFA New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Wella Professionals
Chinney Yeap | Salute Hair and Day Spa
AHFA Global Hairdresser of The Year 2023 | Sponsored by Davroe
Gary Hooker & Michael Young | Hooker & Young
AHFA Icon of the Year
Chris Appleton
AHFA Apprentice of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by De Lorenzo
Zara Zust | Academie Salon
AHFA Artistic Team of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by ghd
FAME TEAM 2023
AHFA Creative Colourist of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Revlon Professional
Stevie English | Stevie English Hair
AHFA Hair Shot of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Matrix
Sarah Laidlaw
AHFA Editorial Stylist of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by OneMusic
Madison Voloshin
AHFA Men’s Hairdresser of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by American Crew
Tim Pascoe | Tim Pascoe Hair
AHFA Newcomer of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Artego
Shanna Popowski | Same Same But Different
AHFA Transformation Stylist of The Year 2023 | Sponsored by J’adore Hair Supplies
Sarah Emilia | Sarah Jade Hair
STATE GROUP CATEGORIES
Sponsored by Ozdare
AHFA NSW/ACT Hairdresser of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Alfaparf Milano Professional
Matthew Ashton
AHFA VIC Hairdresser of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Cloud Nine
Benjamin Martin | Salon XVI
AHFA QLD Hairdresser of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Salon Lane
Max Cooper | Helmet Hair Co
AHFA SA/TAS Hairdresser of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Dyson
Maria Cotroneo | Zink the Element of Hair
AHFA WA/NT Hairdresser of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Dyson
Joanne Banks | Hairart
BUSINESS GROUP CATEGORIES
Sponsored by Hairhouse
AHFA Digital Influencer of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by Redken
Belinda Mills | Pipsqueak Salon
AHFA Educator of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by L’Oréal Access
Sharon Blain | Sharon Blain Education
AHFA Salon of the Year 2023 | Sponsored by L’Oréal Professional
Sloans
PRODUCT GROUP CATEGORIES
AHFA Best New Colour Innovation 2023
R+Color
AHFA Best New Hair Care Product 2023
K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil
AHFA Best New Hair Styling Product 2023
Natalie Anne Prep & Play All-in-One Cream
AHFA Best New Hair Tool 2023
Cloud Nine 2-in-1 Contouring Pro
AHFA Best New Packaging and Design 2023
Mon Amie Haircare