The Australian and New Zealand hair industry came together to celebrate its finest talent as the 2026 AHIA Creative Awards lit up the spectacular ICC Sydney Ballroom on Monday 29 June, delivering the biggest and boldest celebration yet. The event marked another milestone year for this prestigious awards platform, continuing Mocha Group’s legacy as a leading force in media, awards and events across the hair, beauty and barber industries.
Filled with both established names and the next generation of talent, the AHIA Gala was a true showcase of the industry’s depth and creativity. The winners who took home top honours included AHIA Creative Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2026, Scott Sloan of Sloans, AHIA Creative New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2026, Danny Pato MNZM of D&M Hair Design and AHIA Creative Master Colourist of the Year 2026, Kristie Kesic of Cobelle Creative.
Their work was acknowledged as the best in the industry by 80+ respected judges including Errol Douglas, Mark Leeson, Hooker & Young, Candy Shaw, and Vivienne Mackinder, alongside elite international media names. Lorna Evans was inducted into the AHIA Creative Hall of Fame for her outstanding contribution and lifelong impact on the industry.
The 2026 HOT SHOTS Team was also revealed, highlighting some of the most talented under-31 emerging talents across Australia and New Zealand, proudly sponsored by by Joico, Matsui, Gamma+ and Amazing Hair and judged by the full international panel of judges as well as local icons including Dee Parker Attwood, Lyndal Salmon, Bernadette Beswick, Justin Pace and Anthony Nader.
2026 HOT SHOTS TEAM.
Gabrielle Evaga – Tokunai Hair.
Gemma Koster – The Safari Room.
Pat Ryan – Wild Life SoGo.
Riccardo Iembo – Toni & Guy Perth.
Held across an unforgettable evening, incorporating Pre-Drink Arrivals hosted by CPR HAIR, the Awards Night and an onsite After Party with an extended five-hour drinks package, the AHIA Creative Gala delivered a night of world-class production.
Featuring AHIA Creative Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2025, Bernadette Beswick, powered by ELEVEN Australia Colour: black became the canvas, colour became the statement, as vibrant tones cut through dramatic outerwear and sheer layers in a runway that felt cinematic and it-girl after dark.
Direct from Paris, Jean-Baptiste Santens presented Neo Couture Live, a theatrical fusion of avant-garde hair, fashion and fantasy, transforming the model into a living work of art through futuristic forms and sculptural, couture-inspired craftsmanship.
Natalie Anne x BKTclosed the night with The Ballerina Hustle, exploring the tension between effort and elegance and celebrating the discipline, resilience and obsession behind the artistry of those who perfect the craft of transformation.
And if that wasn’t enough, guests were also treated to the trademark AHIA AFTER-PARTY with guest DJ.
Linda Woodhead, Founder of Mocha Group, shared her pride in how far the awards have come: “This industry never stops pushing boundaries, and this year proved it more than ever. A 30% jump in entries and our biggest stage yet at the ICC Sydney Ballroom, it’s a reflection of just how much talent exists across Australia and New Zealand. Congratulations to all of our incredible winners!”
The awards were proudly presented with Major Sponsors ELEVEN Australia Colour, Dyson, Amazing Hair and Natalie Anne Haircare, and supported by 4Barbers, Alfaparf Milano, Angel Extensions, Aura 300, BKT Nanoplasty, Curate Awards, Gamma+, Goldwell, Hair Candy, Hair Festival, Joico, L’Oreal Professional, Matsui, O&M, Perlino, Redken, Schwarzkopf Professional, Great Lengths and Taylorweir. Red Carpet Arrival Partner, CPR Hair and Make Up Partner Saint Minerals.
Mocha Hair, a division of Mocha group, being the Official Media Partner.
AHIA CREATIVE 2026 WINNERS
AI COLLECTION OF THE YEAR
Presented by Aura300
Tyron Nohr
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
Presented by Curate Awards
Tori Yardley, Toni & Guy Newtown
EMERGING STYLIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by Natalie Anne and BKT Nanoplasty
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
Presented by Hair Candy
Togninis
AVANT GARDE HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Amazing Hair
Joshua Congreve, Togninis Hair
COLLECTIVE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Presented by CPR Hair
Kristie and Dee
Kristie Kesic, Cobelle Creative & Dee Parker-Attwood, Wieslemann Salon
EDITORIAL HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by Angel Extensions
Anthony Nader
EDITORIAL MAKE UP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by Saint Minerals
Krista Jade White
HAIR MASTERPIECE OF THE YEAR
Presented by Alfaparf Milano
Marilyn Guarino, Biba Academy
MAKE OVER ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by Hair Festival
Domi Cherie, Togninis
MEN’S HAIR SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by 4Barbers
Justin Hampson, The Safari Room
HOT SHOTS TEAM
Sponsored by Joico, Matsui, Gamma+ & Amazing hair
Gabrielle Evaga, Tokunai Hair
Gemma Koster, The Safari Room
Pat Ryan, Wild Life SoGo
Riccardo Iembo, Toni & Guy Perth
SALON TEAM OF THE YEAR
Presented by Schwarzkopf Professional
Stevie English Hair
MASTER CUTTER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Matsui
Ryan King, Loco London
MASTER COLOURIST OF THE YEAR
Presented by ELEVEN Australia Colour
Kristie Kesic, Cobelle Creative
INTERNATIONAL HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Dyson
Gary Hooker & Michael Young, Hooker & Young
BTS Dream Team of the year
Presented by Perlino
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
Sponsored by mocha group
Lorna Evans
NORTH/SOUTH ISLAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Great Lengths
Anthony Bayer, Anthony Bayer Hair
NSW/ACT HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by O&M
Jenni Tarrant, Bond Hair Religion
QLD HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Redken
Ryan King, Loco London
WA/SA HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Taylorweir
Nicole Lamers, Nicole Lamers Creative
VIC/TAS HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by Goldwell
Danielle Blakeley, Yoshiko Hair
NEW ZEALAND HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by mocha group
Danny Pato MNZM, D&M Hair Design
AUSTRALIAN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR
Presented by mocha group
Scott Sloan, Sloans
