The spectacular gala of the 2024 International Hairdressing Awards took place in Lisbon, Portugal, where the awards were presented.
A total of 1,500 professionals from over 30 countries gathered in Lisbon last Monday for the grand night of the international hairdressing industry, marking the 6th year of the International Hairdressing Awards. Over the years, this event has become the global benchmark for hairdressing. The awards ceremony was held at the Lisbon Congress Center on April 29th, 2024 and was broadcast live online on YouTube.
The event united the world’s top hairdressers in Lisbon. After five successful editions in Spain, the event moved to Portugal for its sixth anniversary. The evening unfolded in grand style with a purple carpet (the hairdressing industry’s equivalent of a red carpet), a runway showcasing major hairdressing teams from around the world, and a glamorous awards ceremony. Australian hairdresser Sharon Blain received the International Hair Legend 2024 honorary award for her more than fifty-year career as a stylist and trainer. Ken Paves was awarded the International Hair Influencer of the Year for his philanthropic efforts extending beyond hairdressing. Known for his appearances on television shows like Oprah Winfrey’s, and as stylist to celebrities such as David and Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria.
British hairdresser Sam Elliot won the Best International Men’s Commercial Collection category, while Spanish hairdressers Carlos Valiente and Bernat Sayol claimed the Best International Women’s Commercial Collection. In the Best International Avant-Garde Collection category, British hairdresser Efi Davies emerged victorious. The Toni&Guy Artistic Team won the International Artistic Team of the Year award, and British Cos Sakkas clinched the title of International Hairdresser of the Year for the third consecutive year. For the second year, the International Film & TV Hairdresser of the Year award was presented, going to the hairstylists of the movie ‘Barbie’, Ivana Primorac, Marie Larkin, and Clare Corsick.
This year, the winners of the contest categories were announced during a world tour conducted by the International Hairdressing Awards in March. Winners were personally and unexpectedly revealed by Mikel Luzea, director and founder, and Sergi Bancells, global ambassador, who traveled worldwide with their production team to announce the awards.
The awards ceremony featured a runway led by some of the world’s most outstanding hairdressing teams, including Mark Leeson Art Team (UK), Toni&Guy Artistic Team (UK), Emmanuel Esteban (France), Fabio Ziccardi (Italy), Errol Douglas MBE (UK) and Jorge X and Janos Deri (Spain/Germany). Additionally, several icons of international hairdressing attended as VIP guests.
About the Competition
The International Hairdressing Awards, initiated by Spanish hairdresser Mikel Luzea, has become the benchmark event for the global hairdressing profession in just six years. The contest is open to all hairdressers worldwide who wish to submit photographic collections of their work. It includes two honorary categories: the International Hair Legend award, recognizing a career in the profession, and the International Hair Influencer award, for a professional who significantly influences the industry. Each edition features a jury composed of five distinguished hairdressers who vote anonymously and independently on the participating collections. This year’s jury included Anthony Mascolo, Robert Lobetta, Tony Rizzo, Luis Romero, and Portuguese hairdresser Anabela Pereira. Nearly 500 collections from 32 different countries were submitted this year in categories like Best International Women’s Collection, Best International Men’s Collection, and Best International Avant-Garde Collection. Additionally, shortlisted hairdressers and artistic teams were invited to submit applications, consisting of a photographic collection and a dossier summarizing their professional achievements over the past year.
THE ORGANIZATION
The International Hairdressing Awards are an independent beauty company, powered by hairdressers, which has been supported from its beginnings by a main sponsor of international relevance that believes in the message and mission of these awards, Revlon Professional. Also, Estetica Magazine acts as global media partner and The Hair MBA, Artero and Salón Look IFEMA Madrid as sponsors. These brands have made a strong bet and have combined their forces to make this event an international success.