This year marked the 35th annual Rocco Altobelli Fashion Awards, a presentation that showcases the work of the stylists, colorists, make-up artists and spa professionals who are part of the network of Rocco Altobelli salons and spas located in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area.

This year's gala was held at Epic Entertainment, a premier concert venue in downtown Minneapolis. RAFA participants styled over 200 models in a variety of categories including hair styling, color and texture, make-up, nails, total look and photography. The event also featured a special presentation by the Rocco Altobelli Recruiting Team and Fashion Council.

Nino Altobelli, vice president of the company, produced and directed the show and explained the origin of RAFA.

"The concept of RAFA originated in 1975 when Rocco Altobelli, CEO, invited his stylists and technicians to review examples of their and their peers' work and to judge creativity and talent based on interpretation and technical execution of the Rocco Altobelli trend education. The goal of this highly competitive event is to create a total look for each model taking into consideration the texture of the hair, the model's face and body shape, and current fashion trends. This annual event encourages teamwork, creativity, individual artistry and a sense of fun and competition in all of the salons. RAFA is meant to celebrate our staff, their talent, dedication and creativity," said Nino.

The RAFA competition allows the Altobelli team members to push themselves outside the constraints of day-to-day salon services and to engage in friendly competition with the best of their peers.

RAFA has established itself as a Twin Cities fashion event and attracts an audience of salon professionals and students from the entire area.
THE 2010 RAFA SALON OF THE YEAR is The Rocco Altobelli Edina Salon & Day Spa Galleria and THE EDUCATION TEAM OF THE YEAR honors went to Sara Hulm and Cassandra Suhadolc of the Burnsville Salon. Visit roccoaltobelli.com/salons.

Individual winners for 2010:
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Sheen Ellis, Rochester

TOTAL LOOK:
1st Place: Brianna Aubrey Bronstad, Minnetonka
2nd Place: Holly Sebesta, Woodbury

STYLIST:
1st Place: Leah Dirkes, Galleria
2nd Place: Liz Kidd, Burnsville
3rd Place: Kady Petra Griess, St. Paul

COLOR AND TEXTURE:
1st Place: Heather Kat Bjorklund, Galleria
2nd Place: Lindsey Fish, St. Paul
3rd Place: Amanda Metz, St. Paul

MAKE-UP:
1st Place: Megan Parker McNamara, Minneapolis
2ndPlace: Beth Swanson, Rosedale
3rd Place: Julia Smithers, Rosedale

NAILS:
1st Place: Mary Yang, Minneapolis
2nd Place: Shannon Aton, Woodbury
3rd Place: Ashlee Harrison, Minneapolis

MASSAGE:
1ST Place: Jodie Bourgoin, Minnetonka
2nd Place: Carolyn Jenson, Rosedale
3rd Place: Rachel Becker, Woodbury


First Place winners in the 2010 Rocco Altobelli Fashion Awards are stylist Leah Dirkes and colorist Heather "Kat" Bjorklund, both of the Edina Rocco Altobelli Salon and Day Spa.




Winners of the 2010 RAFA Salon of the Year, Rocco Altobelli Edina Salon & Day Spa, Galleria, celebrate.

Rocco Altobelli Hosts Annual Fashion Awards

Nino Altobelli (back to the camera) with models onstage at the 2010 RAFA.

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