Video + Gallery! Lovely Hues and Whimsical Hairstyling at UNITE Global Session 2016

The rainbow was not enough to capture all of the amazing hues and looks found at UNITE Global Session 2016. Think about it. You have the top talent representing the brand under a single roof, and the outpour of dexterity and brilliance is so overwhelming, there aren’t enough smartphones to capture the magic that lured over 1,200 hairstylists members of the UNITE Family from around the world.

UNITE Global Session, the bi-annual celebration of unique creative artistry, was presented on stage by UNITE Founder and CEO, Andrew Dale, together with special hosts Kenny Gibson and David Drew. Dale introduced a non-stop 2-day event, rich in creativity and education, in a fascinating location: the beautiful Balboa Theatre in the heart of the historical Gaslamp district of San Diego.

Shows by a team of outstanding stylists brought amazing and high-impact looks to the Balboa stage. International Artists included awesome presentations: UNITE Creative Director Gary Baker introduced the new UNITE collection titled ‘Evolution’, along with Zoe Harte, UNITE Director of Global Education; Hollywood’s 901 salon owners Riawna Capri & Nikki Lee had a dynamic and digital styling presentation where they unveiled their social media secrets as influencers and posted images live on their Instagram using a step-and-repeat ontstage; celebrity session stylist Kevin Ryan and special guest British hairdressing icon Nick Irwin each had their golden moment onstage where they based their shows on the most successful hairstyles that make an appearance on the catwalk at the many fashion weeks.

A talented bunch of UNITE Educators shone on stage with dexterity and skill, including the likes of Renee Africa, Estevan Garner, Natasha Pearson, Narad Kutowaroo, Lina Lindholm, Jason Liddiard, Jesse Gaines & Cassi Young-Paxton. The event also introduced an inspirational session of GO 24·7 men’s grooming, with amazing US barbers Daniel Rymer, Dylan Johnson, Matt Stark and Manny Padron; and whimsical avant-garde trends by Gary Baker, Narad Kutowaroo, and Australian creative enfant terrible Shaun McGrath.

One of the most special moments was the amazing ‘Live Photo Shoot’ lead by acclaimed Editorial Session Artist Kevin Ryan and photographer Roberto Aguilar, where they showed their magic, creating several different looks on the same model, while unveiling their best tricks while working in a photo session. Ryan is the go-to hairstylist of I-D magazine, and has styled more covers for the magazine than any other in history. He is known by many through the fashion industry because of the countless years he has spent backstage at fashion weeks around the world.

Last but not least, Andrew Dale presented UNITE’s new launch Doggy ‘Poo Shampoo – A Clean Dog for a Good Cause, of which all proceeds are going to two amazing organizations, Shelter to Soldier and the San Diego Humane Society. As a special gift to all UNITE Global Session attendees, UNITE is covering all pet adoptions fees during the month of October.

Enjoy the best images from UNITE Global Session 2016 and watch our video!