NAHA Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Charlie Price won the NAHA 2008 Hairstylist of the Year.

What do Charlie Price, Nicholas French and Ruth Roche have in common? They are all former NAHA winners. In 2009, the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) will celebrate its 20th anniversary on July 19 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

With a rich tradition of honoring the industry’s most talented hairdressers in multiple categories, this year’s NAHA promises to be one to remember.

For 20 years, NAHA has brought top stylists and artists on the continent together to submit their work to the pinnacle of hairdressing competitions. This year, individuals will be honored in 12 categories of excellence: Editorial Stylist of the Year, Make-Up Artist of the Year, Master Hairstylist of the Year, Student Hairstylist of the Year, Salon Team of the Year, Hairstylist of the Year, Avant Garde, Contemporary Classic, Fashion Forward, Hair color, Salon Design and Texture. Applications for the 2009 competition must be postmarked by February 2.

This year, Professional Beauty Association offered an innovative DVD, How to Do a Successful Photo Shoot and Win a NAHA v.2.0, which offers a step-by-step guide to creating a winning entry. From selecting the photographer and models to choosing a fashion stylist and make-up artist, this ground-breaking DVD provides a glimpse inside the workings of a successful photo shoot. Updated in 2008, version 2.0 includes a brand-new section on the Fashion Forward category.

Interested in talking to fellow NAHA entrants? Visit the NAHA forum online at www.probeauty.org/naha. You can discuss winning NAHA entries, share tips with fellow entrants or just chat with other rising stars.

As one of the founders of NAHA, MODERN has planned special coverage of the special 20th anniversary event. Look for more exclusive stories on NAHA, its history and interviews with past winners in upcoming issues.