Every year, salons across Australia and New Zealand light up with energy as stylists, colourists, and visionaries prepare to share their best work. And this year? The creativity is next level.
Entries to the 2025 AHIA Creative Awards surged by an impressive 40% – a clear sign that this platform is more than just a competition. It’s a celebration of artistry, innovation, and the people behind the chairs who continue to redefine what’s possible in hair.
Now in its fifth year, the AHIA Creative Awards – powered by Mocha Group – has become one of the most anticipated events on the calendar, honouring extraordinary talent from every corner of our industry. And with Mocha Group celebrating 20 years at the heart of hair media and events, it’s safe to say they know how to spotlight the best of the best.
This year’s finalists are nothing short of exceptional. Among the announced categories are some of the most prestigious titles in the game, Australian Hairdresser of the Year, New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year, and International Hairdresser of the Year. But it’s the introduction of exciting new categories like One Shot Hair Masterpiece, Make Over Artist of the Year, Editorial Hairstylist of the Year, and Best Branded Video that shows just how much this awards platform is evolving with the industry itself. From high-impact transformations to content creation that tells powerful visual stories, the fusion of digital and design is being honoured like never before.
The AHC will be front and centre at this year’s Creative Awards Gala, held on Monday 30th June at the stunning Star Sydney Event Centre. The Gala is the crowning jewel of a weekend filled with Hair Festival and AHC events, bringing our community together to celebrate, connect, and inspire.
And of course, one of the most anticipated moments of the evening will be the unveiling of the 2025 HOT SHOTS Team, an initiative we’re proud to support as it highlights the future of our craft: the brightest emerging stars under 31.
To all the finalists: your talent is astonishing. Your work has raised the benchmark again, and your creativity pushes this industry forward. Congratulations, we’ll be there, and we can’t wait to cheer you on!
2025 AHIA CREATIVE FINALISTS
SPONSORED BY DYSON, CPR AND AMAZING HAIR
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Presented by Matrix
Alice Howard, Ryder Salon
Caprice De Sanctis, Abracadabra Hair
Franks Hill, Stevie English Hair
Isabella Portaro, SJ Establishment
Jess Wilson, Zibido Hair
Jessika Klein, Safari Room
Shannon Westwood, The Factory Yarraville
Tori Yardley, Toni & Guy Newtown
EMERGING STYLIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by Rogue Beauty
Gemma Koster, The Safari Room
Holly Evans, Respekt Your Hair
NEW CREATIVE TALENT OF THE YEAR
Presented by Dateline Imports
Amelia Joy Winen, SJ Establishment
Emma Boyle, Steph Meyer and Co
Gabrielle Tautava Evaga, Tokunai Hair
Jackson Fifield, Paper Rokk Hair
Jade Veitch, Etcher Salon
Natasha Tsangaris, Rokstar Salon
AI COLLECTION OF THE YEAR
Presented by mocha hair
Domi Cherie
Geoffrey Herberg
Jason Kane Browne
Johnny Georgiou
BRAND CONTENT OF THE YEAR
Presented by Hair Candy
CPR Hair
Evo Hair
O&M
The Factory 3013
Yoshiko Hair
MAKE OVER ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by Cloud Nine
(Multiple entries allowed)
Amanda Lunedei, Almayne Hair Studio
Domi Cherie, Tsiknaris Hair
Jade Pendergrast, Xin Twenty One
Xin Guo, Xin Twenty One
XIN Guo, Xin Twenty One
AVANT GARDE HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Amazing Hair
AhKim, AhKim Art of Hair
Bill Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Emma Boyle, Steph Meyer and Co
Joshua Congreve, Togninis Hair
Stephanie Bellairs, Cabello by Stephanie Bellairs
MEN’S HAIR SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by Expo4Barbers
Jason Weeks, Calibre Workshop
Lexie Shay, Vault Ninety One
Matt Clarke, Esq. Male Grooming
Paul James Graham, Paul & Paul Salon
Sara Allsop, Dharma Salon
COLLECTIVE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Presented by Kin
A & E Creative – Aimee Egan and Emma Merrifield
Breakthrough Team – Jude McEwen, Morgan Weise, Skott Condon and Josh Stewart
Kristie and Dee – Kristie Kesic and Dee Parker-Attwood
NZ Masters Collective – Michael Beel, Sean Mahoney, Kelly Manu, Andrew Cobeldick, Sara Allsop and Brownwyn Kronfeld
SALON TEAM OF THE YEAR
Presented by Schwarzkopf Professional
Bach Hair
Franco of Canberra
SJ Establishment
Tokunai Hair
Tsiknaris Hair
EDITORIAL HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by Angel Extensions
Anthony Nader
Carolyn Gahan
Diane Gorgievski
Kelly Manu
Lauren McCowan
Matthew Ashton
Sheridan Rose Shaw
HAIR MASTERPIECE OF THE YEAR
Presented by Goddess
(Multiple entries allowed)
Amanda Magistro, Salon ALM
Amanda Magistro, Salon ALM
Benjamin Martin, Salon XVI
Benjamin Martin, Salon XVI
Carl Manderson, Liberté Salon and Spa
Carl Manderson, Liberté Salon and Spa
Carl Manderson, Liberté Salon and Spa
Carolyn Gahan, Quarry Avenue
Danielle Blakeley, Yoshiko Hair
Dee Parker Attwood, Wieselmann Salon
Geoffrey Herberg,
Isabella Portaro, SJ Establishment
Jade Veitch, Etcher Salon
Kelly Manu, Una
Lauren McCowan
Lauren McCowan
Lauren McCowan
Lauren McCowan
Mariia Kolchina, Mariia Kolchina Hair Styling
Michael Beel, Salute Hair Skin Spa
Nicole Kae
Sanja Scher, Beatnik Studio
Stephanie Bellairs, Cabello by Stephanie Bellairs
Stephanie Bellairs, Cabello by Stephanie Bellairs
Tahlia Stamenkovic, Bach Hair
HOT SHOTS TEAM
Sponsored by Joico, Matsui Hair, EVY Professional, Amazing Hair and DP Exogrow
Alyssia Pearson, Toni&Guy Broadbeach
Amelia Joy Winen, SJ Establishment
Emma Boyle, Steph Meyer and Co
Gabrielle Tautava Evaga, Tokunai Hair
Georgia Maguire, Pierrot’s Hair & Brow Studio
Jackson Fifield, Paper Rokk Hair
Jade Veitch, Etcher Salon
Morgan Weiss, Toni and Guy Bondi Beach
Natasha Tsangaris, Rokstar Salon
Ryan Poole, Esq. Male Grooming
MASTER CUTTER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Matsui Hair
Danielle Blakeley, Yoshiko Hair
Domi Cherie, Tsiknaris Hair
Harrison Sansom, A.H Salon
Ryan King, Loco London
Sheridan Rose Shaw, Mamawest
MASTER COLOURIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by CPR
Adam Reece Hopkins, Koda Cutters
Chris Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris hair
Danielle Blakeley, Yoshiko Hair
Domi Cherie, Tsiknaris Hair
Elly Paynter, Elly Hair Paynter
Holly Breen, Californian Blonde
Kristie Kesic, Cobelle Creative
Krystle Tokunai, Tokunai Hair
Leanne Kay, Stevie English Hair
Stuart Bane, Stuart Bane Colour
NORTH ISLAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Hair Festival
Anthony Bayer, Anthony Bayer Hair
Carla Southan, Rawk Hairdressing
Heidi Christian, Heidi Christian
Tenielle Gillies, Flyger
SOUTH ISLAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Something Beauty House
Marque Morehu, M M Hair Studio
Sarah McGuigan, Savvy Hair
NSW/ACT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Wella
AhKim, AhKim Art of Hair
Aimee Egan, Aimee Egan hair
Harrison Sansom, A.H Salon
Leanne Kay, Stevie English
QLD HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Redken
Domi Cherie, Tsiknaris Hair
Holly Breen, Californian Blonde
Krystle Tokunai, Tokunai Hair
Ryan King, Loco London
Shae Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
VIC/TAS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Goldwell
Danielle Blakeley, Yoshiko Hair
Posey Broomhall, Harpo Hair
Sheridan Rose Shaw, Mamawest
WA/SA HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by L’Oreal Professionnel
Delvene Kocman, Delvene Hair Co
Johnny Georgiou, Parlour Hair
Tiffany Decaux, Iris House of Hair
Tina Belham, SJ Establishment
Victoria Shayler, Sir Fletcher
BTS Dream Team of the year
Presented by mocha group
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole. MUA: Kylie O’Toole. Stylist: Catherine V
For Bernadette Beswick Australian Hairdresser of the Year Collection
Photographer: Fiona Quinn. MUA: Chanelle Aldridge. Stylist: Brooke Tyson
For Ann Marie Young New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year Collection
Photographer: Anniss and Barton. MUA: Shev Kelly. Stylist: Dani Blakeley.
For Danielle Blakeley Master Colourist of the Year Collection
Photographer: Anniss and Barton. MUA: Shev Kelly. Stylist: Dani Blakeley.
For Danielle Blakeley Victorian Hairdresser of the Year
Photographer: Theresa Hall. MUA: Sarah Smith. Stylist: Ysha Giorno.
For Joshua Congreve Avant Garde Collection
Photographer: Apela Bell. MUA: Liz Hyun. Stylist: Claudia Li.
For Kelly Manu Collection New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year Collection
Photographer: Andrew O’Toole. MUA: Kylie O’Toole. Stylist: Catherine V.
For Kristie Kesic Master Colourist of the Year Collection
Photographer: Lou Hatten. MUA: Micheala McKendry. STYLIST: Sopheak Seng.
For Michael Beel New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year Collection
Photographer: Liane Hurvitz. MUA: Janice Wu. Stylist: Daniel Paciocco.
For Posey Broomhall Victorian Hairdresser of the Year
Photographer: Derec Ethan. MUA: Laura Thomas. Stylist: Luke Meakins.
For Stephanie Bellairs Avant Garde Collection
INTERNATIONAL HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by dyson
Carles Sanchez Congost, Pelsynera, Spain
Casey Coleman, Chair Salons, UK
Elle Foreman, Tribe Salons, UK
Errol Douglas MBE, Errol Douglas, UK
Lukas Press, Lukas Press Hair Studio, Canada
Manuel Mon, Manual Mon Estilistas, Spain
Mark Leeson, Mark Leeson, UK
Marlon Hawkins, Brooks & Brooks, UK
Michelle Summers Davies, Michelle Davies Hair, UK
Rafael Bueno, Rafael Bueno Peluqueros, Spain
Rebecca Jacques, Rebecca Jacques Hair, UK
Tim Scott-Wright, The Hair Surgery, UK
NEW ZEALAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by mocha group
Ann Marie Young, Jingles Hair Design
Kelly Manu, Una
Kylie Hayes, Moha Hairdressing
Michael Beel, Salute Hair Skin Spa
Sara Allsop, Dharma Salon
Shannon Dowd, Zibido Hair
AUSTRALIAN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by mocha group
Bernadette Beswick, Beswick Education Services
Bill Tsiknaris, Tsiknaris Hair
Brodie Lee Tsiknaris, Rokstar Salon
Dee Parker Attwood, Wieselmann Salon
Jude McEwen, Toni&Guy Perth
Nathan Yazbek, Salon Yazbek
Paul James Graham, Paul & Paul Salon
