Auckland Finalist Takes Top Prize In Hair Awards

Auckland, 6 May 2006: An international-based judging team, including David Beckham’s hairdresser, has selected Iain Smith of ME, Auckland, for the most acclaimed hair award in New Zealand.

Iain Smith, owner of ME, and a finalist in the Hair Expo Australia Awards, was named as Schwarzkopf Professional Hairdresser of the Year 2006/2007. The award was announced on Saturday night at a prestigious gala dinner in Auckland, MC’d by Michael Hurst and Jennifer Ward-Lealand. More than 400 hairdressers attended the event. Smith’s eye for detail and talented selection of an award winning team saw make-up artist Meagan Wright take home the MAC Make-Up Artistry Award for 2006. Renowned Auckland based fashion photographer Tony Drayton was also part of this winning formulation.

Schwarzkopf Professional New Zealand General Manager, Kim Conner, says Smith’s entry stood out the most, “It was modern, directional and showed a synergised understanding between hair direction and fashion trends, without being predictable.”

For a full range of the finalists images see

Wellington salon owner, Carl Manderson, of Salute Hair and Day Spa, took the title of Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year for his entry based on “a contemporary update of Edwardian glamour.” Manderson was a finalist at the Oceanic Hairdressing Awards in Australia late last year.

The judging process was extremely top secret. The European-based judges individually chose winners based on images with assigned numbers, as opposed to the entrants’ names. “They left the room not knowing who the winners were, which is very reassuring for entrants to know that the judging is impartial,” says Conner. This explains the two entries in the Northern Hairdresser of the Year category for Vada’s Guy Roberts.

One of the judges was Tyler Johnston, an international session and catwalk stylist whose personal clients include celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham, Cate Blanchett, Chrissie Hynde, Courtney Love, Helena Christiansen, Natalie Imbruglia and Oasis. The other judges included global image director for Schwarzkopf Professional and former creative director of Vidal Sassoon London, Simon Ellis and the global technical director for Schwarzkopf Professional, Steve Hogan.

The following are the winners of the Schwarzkopf Professional New Zealand Hairdressing Awards 2006:

Northern Hairdresser of the Year Iain Smith ME Auckland

Southern Hairdresser of the Year Chris Terry Bliss Christchurch

The two regional winners are awarded recognition of their title and each winner goes forward to contest the Hairdresser of the Year award.

New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year Iain Smith ME Auckland Prize: media coverage to the value of $12,000 to promote his award winning success.

Salon of the Year Stephen Marr, Sky Jackson & Karl Sullivan Stephen Marr, Auckland Prize: Photographic shoot valued at $4,500.

Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year Carl Manderson Salute Hair & Day Spa Wellington Prize: Media coverage to the value of $6,000 to promote his award winning success.

Newcomer of the Year Rochelle Collins Servilles, Newmarket Auckland Prize: Media coverage to the value of $6,000 to promote her award winning success.

Judges Recognition Award Jason Muir Haight Asbury Boutique Salon Wellington

MAC Make-Up Artistry Award Meagan Wright For: Iain Smith ME Auckland

Fashion Quarterly Editorial Excellence Award Guy Roberts Vada Hair Auckland

ENDS

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