BTC is always privy to the latest and greatest breaking news in the biz, and this morning The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) let us be one of the very select few to officially announce the much anticipated finalists for the 2009 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA)! 

NAHA has been honoring top hairstylists and beauty professionals in the industry with this prestigious award for the past 20 years.  NAHAs are given in several distinct categories including: Master Stylist, Hairstylist of the Year, Editorial Stylist, Avant-Garde, Contemporary Classic, Fashion Forward, Haircolor, Salon Team, Salon Design, and Texture. A select panel of more than 60 industry judges, including Mary Brunetti, Andrew Bartfield, Sally Hershberger, Anthony Morrison and Tabatha Coffey, as well as top beauty editors from media outlets such as Nylon, Glamour, OK! Magazine, Teen Vogue, Life & Style and Zink, judged more than 600 entries through a blind online judging process. Entries were narrowed down to five finalists per category and one winner in each category will be chosen. Oh, and guess who else was a judge? BTC’s very own Mary Rector-Gable!

The Finalists for NAHA 20 are:

Avant Garde   
Darian Bishop – Toni & Guy
Shelly Devlin – Waters Edge
Nicholas French – Matrix C.R.A.F.T. Global Academy
Daniel Holzberger – Van Michael Salons
Lina Shamoun – Artline Salon

Contemporary Classic  
Maureen Anlauf – Juut Salon Spa
Ammon Carver – Matrix
Edwin Fontanez – CIELO by Edwin Fontanez
Laurie Haney – Fresh Hair Studio
Dimitrios Tsioumas – HiLites Hair Salon

Editorial Stylist
Michael Albor  – The Loft Salon & Day Spa
Steve Elias – Elixir Salon Spa
Cameron Letterman – Click Salon
Daniel Holzberger – Van Michael Salons
Maryl Velbeck – Trend Wave Studios

Fashion Forward 
Faatemah Ampey – Bella Salon and Spa
Maureen Anlauf – Juut Salon Spa
Lucie Doughty – A.T. Tramps
Kathleen Gaide-Mahan & Michael Albor – The Loft Salon
Nicole Obert – Arrojo Studio

Haircolor   
Adriana Balea – Francesca’s Salon & Spa
Chrystofer Benson – Logics  
Sue Pemberton – n/a
John Simpson – Lewis Salon
Silas Tsang – Blushes Hair & Day Spa

Hairstylist of the Year  
Maureen Anlauf – Juut Salon Spa
Michael Baker – Paris Parker Salon
Christopher Deagle – Moods Hair Salon
Richard St. Laurent – Salon Inpure
Silas Tsang – Blushes Hair & Day Spa

Master Hairstylist  
Eric Fisher – Eric Fisher Salon
Nicholas French – Matrix C.R.A.F.T. Global Academy
Alain Pereque – Salon Pure
Charlie Price – Click Salon
Brian and Sandra Smith – Matrix C.R.A.F.T. Global Academy

Global Academy
Alain Pereque – Salon Pure
Charlie Price – Click Salon
Brian & Sandra Smith – Matrix C.R.A.F.T. Global Academy

Salon Design       
Van Michael Salon 
Tribehairstudio
The Fila Academy
Bokaos
Varuna Salon Spa

Student Hairstylist  
Amanda Di Carlo – Inpure 2
Tatum Henson – Eric Fisher Academy
Corey Lofton – Aveda/Fredrics Institute
Kelli Parks – Eric Fisher Academy
Whitney Vallee – Salon Inpure

Salon Team       
Hairafter Salon and Spa
GLAM Salon Boutique
Salon Pure
Salon Inpure
Blushes Hair & Day Spa

Texture    
Faatemah Ampey – Bella Salon and Spa
Adriana Catenaccio – Salon Gaboa
Steve Elias – Elixir Salon Spa
Shawna Parvin – World’s Local Parvin
Dimitrios Tsioumas – HiLites Hair Salon

NAHA also salutes two professionals who have made a significant impact and contribution to the industry. This year NAHA 20 is proud to present its top honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, to Vivienne Mackinder, a renowned international hairstylist, sought after artistic educator and five-time NAHA winner. NAHA 20 is also pleased to induct Life Enhancement Speaker and Master Educator Geno Stampora into the NAHA Hall of Leaders.

This year’s theme, Honoring the Work. Stories. Style! will pay tribute to the work, capture the stories and celebrate the style of the many professionals who throughout the years have gained their fame through hard work, diligence and passion as well as contributed to the success of the industry.

Winners will be announced July 19, 2009 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Stay tuned to BTC for more information regarding the show!

For more information please visit probeauty.org/naha/

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