Mocha Group have announced exciting updates to the entry criteria and categories in the Australian Hair Industry Awards- Creative for 2024 which are now open for entry. After listening to the industry, Owner and Founder Linda Woodhead and the Mocha team have used their vast experience, network and knowledge to create a defined line between the AHIA Creative and AHIA Business platforms with a simplified approach.
As of 2024, the AHIA Creative awards are predominantly focused on the execution of an award-winning hair collection, with the written component minimalised to reflect the importance of the creative vision only. This allows those with incredible business acumen, education ability, salon management and ownership, to shine under the AHIA Business banner.
The majority of entries now only require a few simple questions in relation to the description, inspiration, and creative process of each photographic collection. Entrants can now free up their time to focus on their collections and finally let their creativity go wild with universal use of wefts, wigs, extensions, and hairpieces across all categories.
Entrants will now be able to clearly chart their AHIA- Creative journey thanks to the new AHIA Awards Path, an easy-to-follow guide to allow entrants to grow in experience and creative excellence. There are 5 sections in a simple timeline to provide a quick refence check to help salons to organise their entries.
There are five new categories joining the line up in 2024:
Firstly, AHIA Emerging Stylist and Colourist for newly qualified entrants providing an introduction and stepping stone into the awards program leaving no gap from when you have completed your apprenticeship.
Secondly, there is an exciting new category which embraces state of the art technology in the AHIA AI Collection of the Year for hairdressers, photographers, and graphic designers to produce a hair collection using real people or 100% computer generated graphics.
AHIA Collective Team of the Year category will replace Collab of the Year but is essentially the same concept, encouraging entries from a team of 2 or more individuals from different salons, salon groups or product companies.
Lastly, to continue the new culture of the stepping stone path, similar to Australian State Categories, we have introduced New Zealand North Island Hairdresser of the Year and New Zealand South Island Hairdresser of the Year categories, in addition to the New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year category.
For the big ones, AHIA Australian and NZ Hairdresser of the Year are open to those who have exceeded 8 years beyond their apprenticeship and have actively practiced hairdressing consistently in Australia / NZ respectively for the entire awards period – and are based in Australia / NZ. Entrants must have already won a similar National Hair Industry Award at a State level or be a previous winner of Colour Expert of the year or similar or have been a finalist or winner at Australian level. Certain additional criteria to be eligible to enter these coveted categories must also have been met, to ensure entrants are at the top of their game.
Also, exciting news for experienced Colourists – for the first time in the history of Australian hair awards, either a Stylist or a Colourist who meets the entry necessary criteria can enter and win AHIA Australian or New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year. If a Colourist and Stylist work together and both want to enter, they must just enter with a completely unique collection, in their own name with a completely new theme, styling, hair, make up etc.
Linda is excited to announce these anticipated amendments;
“Our main goal was to make the AHIA’s- Creative more accessible to all, whether an Apprentice just starting out or one of our industry icons going once again for a big one. We know that our most creative minds are focused on the final result- bringing their unique vision to life within their collection. This allows each and every entrant to do so without feeling concerned about analysis of their business prowess or way with words. We can’t wait to see the entire industry get planning and shooting and can only imagine what 2024 submissions will bring!”
IMPORTANT DATES TO SAVE
ENTRY DEADLINE 28/03/24
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED 06/05/24
GALA NIGHT 01/07/24
Entries are open now and all entrants should download the Category Description, rules and regs, AHIA Awards Path and individual category kits for further information at
www.ahiacreative.awardsplatform.com
TICKEYTS ARE ALREADY ON SALE FOR THE GALA EVENT AT
Facebook: Mocha.Hair.Ausnz | Instagram: @mochahairaustralia | #ahia2024
