2021 AHIA CREATIVE WINNERS COME TOGETHER

With the debut of our Australian Hairdressing Industry Awards last year, our aim was to bring the very best of hairdressing together. From New Zealand to the UK and all the Australian states in between, the standard of work from across the world blew our minds.

And what a gallery of winners – from Sally Brooks in the UK, Danny Pato in New Zealand, and our very own Dee Parker Attwood as Australian Hairdresser of the Year. So, as we head into the 2022 event, what better way than to get three of our inspirational winners to interview each other!

Dee Parker Attwood

Danny Pato

Sally Brooks

DANNY: Sally, how do you see the industry evolving over the coming years?

SALLY: I think there are interesting times ahead in the coming years, especially in the UK - with more hairdressers choosing the freelance route and less youngsters joining our industry we are in for an interesting ride. However, I feel that the passion for the craft will intensify; there will be some amazing creative collaborations and that the industry will reset in a new direction. Over the past few years, we have seen our industry thrive digitally that we can reach a worldwide audience and that we, as creatives, are closer than we have ever been. I feel we have to rethink the apprentice traditions and create an exciting world of learning for them to join the industry.

DANNY: What’s been creatively inspiring you lately?

SALLY: I am a creative that follows my heart and my passion and what really inspires me now is a move to natural hair; feeling and movement, understated beauty, and the ability to cut and colour hair with a fresh feeling that is underworked and under styled.

DANNY: What’s your favourite thing to do outside of hairdressing life?

SALLY: Do we have a life outside of hairdressing! I think my worlds combine - I am enjoying art directing projects at the moment, working on a slightly different aspect of the industry and art directing projects from beginning to end. When I do have free time, it is definitely to walk, walk my dogs and breathe some fresh air. I love to paint, and I love to do anything creative - I have always got something on the go!

SALLY: Big congratulations on all your achievements, how does it feel to be representing your country on the worldwide stage?

DANNY: Thank you, I feel very proud. It’s an honour to present our tiny country at the bottom of the world!

Hair By Sally

Hair By Dee

Hair By Danny

SALLY: Where do you get your inspiration from?

DANNY: Inspiration for me comes from anywhere, it really just depends on a connection that happens – it could come from a building, a place of nature, a cultural movement a photograph – and blending different waves of inspiration together. For example, my last collection, Optic, the seed was planted when I was watching an old 60s new wave film. I started obsessing about the 60s – optical illusion art, fashion, architecture – and then started bringing things together and adding my own twist.

SALLY: You have a real hair style, where did that come from?

DANNY: For me, telling a story through my collection work, that’s what comes first. The models are playing characters bringing the story to life, with specific hair, make-up, and clothes of the world they’re in. So, I don’t think of myself having a signature style because the hair changes depending on the character – hair could be big, loose, structured or no hair at al – it depends on the story.

DEE: How would you describe your collection style? And what do you think it says about you as a hairdresser?

SALLY: My collection style is always a look into who I am at that moment, it’s like documenting what is in my head at that time. love everything to be effortless and beautiful whether that is avant garde or editorial. To me as a hairdresser it’s about capturing an image that is in my head and allowing myself to always try something new and to see where that takes me. I love the journey to a collection as much as I love the end result - I definitely think I like to challenge myself and try to do something new.

DEE: What do you think the relationship is between winning hair competitions and business?

SALLY: I think winning an award is different for different people; I personally don’t combine the two in my head when I shoot. My business is about the salon, the team and growing and inspiring the next generation. My collection is a bit selfish, it’s the only thing I actually get to do just for me! Awards from a business point of view get you seen, so it’s great for the team and welcoming new people to the business. It’s also great for creating new opportunities but for me personally I like to create opportunities for so many different things from people I meet to the smallest idea that I can grow - that is what drives me.

Hair By Danny

Hair By Sally

Hair By Dee

DEE: What advice would you give a hairdresser wanting to shoot a hair collection?

SALLY: Fail to prepare - prepare to fail. The work that goes into your collection before the shoot makes the shooting day smooth and creative. Make sure your team of photographers, make-up and stylists are on the same page as you so that you can allow them to add their ideas and grow the project as team. Be prepared for anything that might happen!

SALLY: Congratulations on all your amazing collections, what inspires you to create these stunning images?

DEE: The same can be said about you! I have admired and respected your work from the beginning. One of your biggest fans right here! I try to create hairstyles that I have never seen before and challenge my own skills.

SALLY: There’s some incredible work coming from the Australian hair industry, why do you think this is?

DEE: I believe Australian hairdressers produce incredible work, they are fearless, and we love to push boundaries. We also have amazing training here, so our skill level is excellent.

SALLY: How important is it that the international hairdressing industry come together and what can we all learn from one another?

DEE: It is vital we come together especially to promote this incredible industry and attract young people to become hairdressers. The skill shortage is becoming very draining for businesses all over the world.

@brookshair

@deeparkerattwood_

@dannypatohair

THE 2022 AHIA CREATIVE GALA NIGHT WILL BE HELD AT THE ICC, DARLING HARBOUR, SYDNEY ON MONDAY 13TH JUNE 2022 7-11 PM.

Tickets are available at www.mochgroup.com.au/shop