2022 AMBA Winners

CELEBRATING THE BEST OF THE BEST IN THE BARBER INDUSTRY, WE PRESENT TO YOU THE 2022 WINNERS!

AMBA CARE, STYLE AND BEARD PRODUCT AWARDS Sponsored by Barbershop Magazine

These product awards are unique to the industry in that companies submit their new or re-launched products and they are then sent to be repackaged in clean skin bottles, or jars, so their identity and brand remains a secret. Judges blind test them knowing only what they do, directions for use, ingredients and country of manufacture. This makes these categories the most transparent, professional and unbiased product awards of their kind. Presenting these awards was well known personality Frank Ciccone, from Hair By Ciccone, Bar Ciccone and the creator of the group, Barbers of Australia.

MEN’S HAIR CARE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR VITAMAN – VOLUMISING SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

This Volumising Shampoo gently cleanses away all impurities, excess product and pollution build up in your hair, whilst returning natural body, fullness and shine to fine/ thinning hair without weighing the hair down. The Volmising Conditioner will strengthen, nourish and condition your hair and add natural body, fullness and shine to fine/thinning hair without weighing the hair down. Both products contain unique Indigenous ingredients such as Quandong Seed Extract which is a natural protein that strengthens fine hair. Both feature stimulating, uplifting natural Peppermint Aroma.

MEN’S HAIR STYLE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR MR. MUK – GRITTY PASTE

The key to archi-textural styling, right here, right now. A firm hold finishing paste with grit galore ideal for creating and re-working roughed up styles without any flaking. Super strong hold and texture off the richter scale. Water soluble.

BEARD CARE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR PURE - WALNUT SCRUB

A hair, scalp, beard pre-wash treatment aiming to look after the skin to help your hair grow at it’s healthiest. The scrub helps to remove pollution, build up, oil or any impurities from the skin. Purifying and soothing skin detox scrub that will cleanse and rebalance gently with its natural organic walnut and apricot shell. A deep cleanse for the skin beneath the beard with a formulation packed full of antioxidants. Removes product build up. Stimulates hair follicles. Promotes healthy beard growth. Removes dead skin cells. Detoxifies and purifies.

BEST MEN’S COLLECTION – JUNIOR Sponsored By Depot The Male Tools & Co. RAIDEN STONE - BARBER BOYS & CO NEWTON

Just last year, at the age of 15, Raiden started work experience at Barbery the Craft of a Barber salon in Kilburn South Australia. Shadowing barbering icon and Australian Men’s Hairdresser of the Year Anthony Staltari, he then was moved across to the Newton branch of Barber Boys and Co, where he continued work experience two days per week.

In April 2022 he had the opportunity to be selected as a participant in a government assisted Introduction to Barbering course at Barbery the Craft of a Barber Academy. This course ran for 6 weeks full time and gave him the opportunity to learn the theory of cutting, free hand and clipper work as well as salon safety and hygiene. Upon completion he was snapped up as an Apprentice with Barber Boys and Co Newton where he is wowing is team and clients with his incredible skills which belie his age.

BEST MEN’S COLLECTION – FREESTYLE Sponsored By STMNT CLINT WALLACE - BARBER BY DESIGN

Clint’s journey in the creative industry started 30 years ago when he delved into fashion design and ended up specialising in Haute Couture, dressing and styling many an elite VIP and celebrity and working with many Australian fashion icons. After winning multiple fashion industry awards, he was ready for a new challenge. After studying Barbering at the MIG Institute in Queensland he found his passion for hair. Unable to find a salon which was suitable for men to have all their needs catered for, from hair to body and relaxation, he created Barber by Design. His ongoing success is due to creative thinking, allowing every client’s needs to be met with confidence and giving a total head to toe service. Now an industry educator, he is currently inspiring the next generation of modern barbers across Queensland and driving this growing field.

BEST CUSTOMER CARE Sponsored By Shortcuts GRAND ROYAL BARBERS

Grand Royal Barbers was named after the BEASTIE BOYS record label when it was founded by Steve Salecich in 1999. With barbering in his blood thanks to his father’s barbershop, Grand Royal was the logical next step. Maria Dillon joined the team in 2000 after having managed a chain of barbers in London. When it opened there was a huge gap in the market for an up-market customer focused barber business which the team happily filled with their innovative take on grooming. In 2002 they expanded into Darlinghurst as it then had the biggest demographic of men in Sydney and then in 2011 they took note of the exciting opportunities in Surry Hills with a third shop. Their customer services are about so much more than buzz cuts and fades with beard shaping, wedding packages and even collagen boosting facials for the gents.

BEST BUSINESS DIRECTOR/OWNER OF THE YEAR Sponsored By American Barber ANNA DE SANCTIS, BARBER BOYS/BARBERY THE CRAFT OF A BARBER ACADEMY & BEST MEN’S EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Sponsored By Excellent Edges BARBERY THE CRAFT OF A BARBER ACADEMY

As CEO of Barbery the Craft of a Barber Academy and Business and Brand Development leader behind Barber Boys, Anna is a force to be reckoned with. The achievements of Barber Boys in 18 years and the Academy in 5 short years are nothing short of remarkable. Back in 2016, Anna came up with the bold idea to open the Barbery, which would become Australia’s first and only stand alone barbering Academy to support the network of Barber Boys established since 2004.

To make this ambitious dream a reality, it took over a year of meeting federal and state government compliance requirements to be approved as an RTO under the powers of ASQA. The impact of these barbering powerhouses can be seen in the talent that has been developed, especially in Raiden Stone now the AMBA Junior collection champion. On top of her highly accoladed business achievements and mentoring, another of her passions is educating both her staff and students in Mental Health awareness. As a Mental Health First Aid accredited trainer she is able to contextualise training specific to a barbering/ hairdressing environment and she is tackling head on an important topic that staff and students are faced with every day servicing the public.

BEST MEN’S COLLECTION – CLASSIC Sponsored By Babyliss Pro STACY FERNANDES, THE BARBER ACADEMY & BEARDS, BLONDES AND BLUSH

Stacy is a dynamic female barber in a male dominated industry who continues to make her mark. Not only does she run her own barbershop, Beards, Blondes and Blush, but she is also a leading industry educator, inspiring the next generation of barbers. Her experience is extensive having first trained as a hairdresser and spending a couple of years travelling the world working as a hairdresser on cruise ships. Returning to land she ventured into a new role as a salon colourist, yet within the first hour on the job she realised she wanted the precision and challenge of barbering, so walked over the road and approached a local shop for a new career. This leap of faith continues to pay off with her successful home barbershop as well as her work with The Barber Academy.

BEST BARBERSHOP DESIGN Sponsored By mr muk JIMMY ROD’S, PADDINGTON

The Jimmy Rod’s Barbershops aren’t just places to get a cut and shave, they are a modern-day oasis of authentic masculinity, camaraderie and style. Back in 2003, Jimmy Rod started the first shop in his chain of barbershops where men could come in to get a slick haircut and sharp sides, but also a place where men could relax, socialise, exchange jokes and chill out. Bringing expert skills and traditional barbershop values back to the forefront, Jimmy Rod has provided a service that men didn’t even realise they had been missing. Jimmy Rod’s most recent addition is a modern traditional barber shop for men featuring classic styling, striking industrial design features and iconic red neon signage. With the vibe of a classic man cave, it’s a place where clients can feel comfortable and relaxed with a distinct sense of style and warmth. One of the main features is the licenced bar at the front of house, complete with projector wall to display the footy while lining up and waiting for a cut.

INTERNATIONAL MODERN BARBER OF THE YEAR Sponsored By Mocha Group CHRISTIAN WILES, UK

Christian Wiles is a multi-award-winning hairstylist, industry influencer and educator who is fiercely passionate about delivering hairdressing excellence and is widely recognised for bridging the gap between ladies and gentlemen’s hairdressing. His accolades include prestigious national titles including SBA Gentleman’s Hairdresser, twice winner of Men’s Hairdresser Hair Magazine and twice winner of the BHBA Male Grooming Salon of The Year. He has also been named as a finalist in the Creative Head Most Wanted Awards, twice Men’s Hairdresser of The Year and twice Eastern Hairdresser of the year at the British Hairdressing Awards.

Christian has been a dedicated member of the Matrix Artistic team for more than a decade and an influential role within the Matrix haircare brand, which involves mentoring and supporting other team members to fulfil their potential whilst inspiring and educating other hairdressing talents both face-to-face and online across the U.K. Christian is ardently committed to education and has contributed to the MATRIX education and helping to pioneer a standardised approach to Barbering programmes which have been globally delivered to wide acclaim.

BEST TEAM COLLECTION Sponsored By American Barber UNOIT BARBER TEAM & AUSTRALIAN MODERN BARBER OF THE YEAR Sponsored By The Barbiere Company COSTA ZACHARIA - UNOIT BARBER

Costa grew up in hair salons thanks to his mother Angela running two busy hubs in Adelaide, as well as brother Zac who opened his own barber shop and taught Costa the art of barbering. In 2020 Costa created something truly unique with his innovate barber shop UNOIT. It was based around a fresh concept which brought premium barber services and advanced skin treatments, for both men and women, together in a contemporary and creative space.

UNOIT breaks the overtly masculine red and white pole image with a luxurious service that includes freshly made cocktails, lay-down shiatsu shampoo lounges, and welcome packs for all new guests. The men can enjoy deluxe shaves, award winning haircuts, keratin smoothing, colour, beard shaping and signature shiatsu massage hair-detox treatments. Then for the women, and the men, there is a bevy of aesthetics options including PRP, facials, laser, needling and injectables to name a few. But the shop also has plenty of soul as well and they are proud to donate $1 from every haircut to @heartonmysleeve, a mental health organisation which gives people a support system when times are tough.

AUSTRALIAN MODERN BARBER BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored By Wahl Professional NEW YORK BARBERS

New York Barbers was established in 2014 by Mario Fallace, an industry veteran of over 35 years and owner of Berwick’s longstanding Fallachi Hair. Mario saw the rise in interest for men’s-specific grooming services, and thus the New York Barbers idea was born. Inspired by the old-school New York City barbershops and NYC itself, you immediately sense the vibe when you walk in.

What started out as a 5-chair barber shop on Kempson Walk, quickly grew and soon they had moved to larger premises on Adams Lane, now a 10 chair barbershop complete with their very own Hot Dog Diner & Café, ‘Downtown Dogs’. The team were thrilled to win this award last year at the first ever AMBA’s, as well as AMBA Best Barber Shop Design, so to take out such a prestigious award yet again is testament to the impact they continue to have on the grooming industry here in Australia and indeed beyond.