The BTC team had the chance to unwind after a long day of meetings by attending NAHA 18 on Sunday. It was great to sit back and actually watch an award show since we just finished putting on our own high-energy gala – the 7th Annual Stylist Choice Awards – a month earlier at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando during the Premier Beauty Show.

Are you ready to win a NAHA? Mary Brunetti show’s you how in this DVD!

NAHA opened with an amazing presentation from Master Stylist of the Year Dusty Simington.  The models, covered in graffiti-style body paint, rocked the stage with urban cuts, wicked haircolor and vampire-like talons. Emcee for the evening, Steven Cojocaru (Cojo), celebrity insider for Entertainment Tonight, came onstage after Simington’s presentation in quite an interesting fashion.  He was dressed up as the one and only Paris Hilton, with hair extensions and all.  He went into this long shtick about being Paris and wanting to start a charity called “Save the Extensions.”  Not funny, but funny for us since the BTC team was sitting with the owners of Dreamcatchers, the hair extension company that hired Miss Hilton to be its spokesperson! 

Click here to see the NAHA 18 Winners!

Click here to see BTC go Viva Las Vegas!

After Cojo exited stage left, it was time for the 12 talented North American hairdressers and salon owners to accept the lava lamp-shaped NAHA award.  They thanked friends, family and colleagues with sincerity and humor. One of the most touching speeches was given by Haircolor of the Year winner, Sue Pemberton, who referred to herself as “the Susan Lucci of the Salon Industry.”  After years of being a finalist, the Joico color educator walked away on cloud nine with a well-deserved little NAHA tucked under arm.  And rightfully so; her collection was breathtaking, like a futuristic neon dream. 

The BTC highlight of the night was when Mary Rector-Gable gave an astounding presentation for Hairdressers Unlocking Hope. Images of the campaign, including Vidal Sassoon, Garren, Sally Hershberger, Robert Lobetta, Mary Brunetti, Van Council, Sam Brocato, Robert Cromeans and Ted Gibson, flashed across the number of screens in the room, captivating the audience’s attention.  After the riveting presentation, every member of the NAHA audience simultaneously let out a held-in breath and roared with applause. 

Van Council, owner of Van Michael Salons, crafted a collection for NAHA inspired by Japanese culture and traditions, called “Red.”  It was more than just a collection, it was an experience.  The stage was reminiscent of old world Japan featuring traditional Japanese costumes and dragons mixed with models sporting edgy, metropolitan cuts and urban fashions inspired by Harajuku girls.  Bold cuts with the most vibrant splashes of red color was exhilarating and transported the audience into another world.  Aveda’s Michael Baker, another stylist with Hairdressers Unlocking Hope, assisted Van Council and The Van Michael team with the artistic direction of the show. 

Salon Gregorie’s, home to NAHA 18 winners Dusty Simington – Master Stylist of the Year and Anthony Cress and Kimmi Le – Avant Garde, also put on an amazing presentation for the NAHA audience.  Their models worked the runway with teased coifs and cutting edge frocks, a creative presentation admired by the audience.   

The weekend in Vegas was quite a success, but we were all excited to get back home, especially Mary Rector-Gable. She had to pack it all back up and jet over to New York City to meet with some major editors from the biggest magazines in the consumer world!  Keep an eye out for Hairdressers Unlocking Hope in your favorite consumer beauty magazines.  WWD and Allure are the first to release this campaign to the public, with many more to follow.

Congratulations NAHA Winners!