The Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIA) Creative Awards returned to the ICC Sydney Ballroom on Monday 29 June, bringing together the finest hair professionals from across Australia and New Zealand for one of the industry’s most celebrated nights of the year.
The 2026 gala proved to be a landmark evening — a vivid demonstration of the depth, creativity and generational talent that continues to define the region’s hair industry. From established icons to the next wave of emerging artists, the room was alive with the energy of a profession at its very best.
Among the night’s most celebrated moments, Danny Pato MNZM of D&M Hair Design was awarded the AHIA Creative New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2026 — a well-deserved recognition of an artist whose influence on New Zealand hairdressing has been profound and enduring.
Australia’s top honour went to Scott Sloan of Sloans, named AHIA Creative Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2026, while Kristie Kesic of Cobelle Creative took home the prestigious AHIA Creative Master Colourist of the Year award.
All winners were judged by a panel of more than 80 respected industry figures, including internationally acclaimed names such as Errol Douglas, Mark Leeson, Hooker & Young, Candy Shaw, and Vivienne Mackinder — ensuring the highest standard of recognition for those who earned it.
The evening also paid tribute to a career of extraordinary contribution, with Lorna Evans inducted into the AHIA Creative Hall of Fame — a fitting honour for someone whose lifelong impact on the industry speaks for itself.
Now in its continuing legacy as a leading force in hair, beauty and barber media, awards and events, the AHIA Creative Awards remain the benchmark by which excellence in the industry is measured.
AHIA CREATIVE 2026 WINNERS
AI COLLECTION OF THE YEAR
- Tyron Nohr
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
- Tori Yardley, Toni & Guy Newtown
EMERGING STYLIST OF THE YEAR
- Gemma Koster, The Safari Room
NEW CREATIVE TALENT OF THE YEAR Presented by L’Oreal Professional
- Paige Cameron, Cobelle Creative
BRAND CONTENT OF THE YEAR
- Togninis
AVANT GARDE HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
- Joshua Congreve, Togninis Hair
COLLECTIVE TEAM OF THE YEAR
- Kristie and Dee
Kristie Kesic, Cobelle Creative & Dee Parker-Attwood, Wieslemann Salon
EDITORIAL HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR
- Anthony Nader
EDITORIAL MAKE UP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Krista Jade White
HAIR MASTERPIECE OF THE YEAR
- Marilyn Guarino, Biba Academy
MAKE OVER ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Domi Cherie, Togninis
MEN’S HAIR SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
- Justin Hampson, The Safari Room
HOT SHOTS TEAM
- Gabrielle Evaga, Tokunai Hair
- Gemma Koster, The Safari Room
- Pat Ryan, Wild Life SoGo
- Riccardo Iembo, Toni & Guy Perth
SALON TEAM OF THE YEAR
- Stevie English Hair
MASTER CUTTER OF THE YEAR
- Ryan King, Loco London
MASTER COLOURIST OF THE YEAR
- Kristie Kesic, Cobelle Creative
INTERNATIONAL HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
- Gary Hooker & Michael Young, Hooker & Young
BTS Dream Team of the year:
- Photographer: Andrew O’Toole MUA: Kylie O’Toole Styling: Catherine V
- For Bernadette Beswick, Australian Hairdresser of the Year Collection
THE AHIA DENNIS LANGFORD HALL OF FAME
- Lorna Evans
NORTH/SOUTH ISLAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
- Anthony Bayer, Anthony Bayer Hair
NSW/ACT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
- Jenni Tarrant, Bond Hair Religion
QLD HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
- Ryan King, Loco London
WA/SA HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
- Nicole Lamers, Nicole Lamers Creative
VIC/TAS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
- Danielle Blakeley, Yoshiko Hair
NEW ZEALAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
- Danny Pato MNZM, D&M Hair Design
AUSTRALIAN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
- Scott Sloan, Sloans
