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THE EVENT: The 33rd annual Rocco Altobelli 2008 Fashion Awards. THE VENUE: Myth Night Club in Maplewood, (St.Paul) Minnesota.
THE DETAILS: Popular Twin Cities salon owner Rocco Altobelli has eight salons and spas in Minnesota and has always fostered advanced education, international travel and styling competitiveness among his staffers. These goals launched the Rocco Altobelli Fashion Awards (RAFA) held annually since 1975 to recognize the varied talents represented by the company's salon professionals. The first RAFA was held in the basement of Altobelli's home, where examples of his stylists' work were reviewed and evaluated for creative interpretation. Now, 33 years later, RAFA, produced and directed by Vice President Nino Altobelli, brought more than 2,000 people to the hip night club and music venue where styling, color, texture, make-up, nail and total look models represented a combination of teamwork and individual talent.
THE BUZZ: RAFA is judged each year by an international group of salon professionals who travel to the event from across the U.S., Europe, Canada and South America for a full day of up-close and hands-on judging of each entry. Winners received prizes including all-expenses-paid trips to London for Intercoiffure Mondial World Congress, the London Alternative Hair Show, sessions at the Logics Academy in New York and cash awards.
THE LAST WORD: "RAFA is meant to celebrate our staff-their talent, their dedication and their creativity," said Nino Altobelli. "The competition provides them with the opportunity to push beyond what they would normally do in the salon, while allowing them to pit their creativity and talent against the best the company."
"Tuille Runway Chic" was presented by the team from the Rocco Altobelli Salon & Spa in Roseville, Minnesota.
RAFA Styles Leader winners Nate Wendt and Missy Rodriguez, shown with their model (center), both won a trip to the London Alternative Hair Show.
Total Look winner Crystal Lee from the Woodbury, Minnesota salon with her model.
Nino Altobelli (center with sun glasses) is surrounded by the international team of judges who selected this year's RAFA winners.
Nino Altobelli (far left) with the 2008-2009 Rocco Altobelli Fashion Group Leaders from left, Heather (Cat) Bjorklund, Lindsey (Paris) Magner, Tracy Bobeldyk,Lynsie Miller, Heidi Brevick, Tony Schaller and Tanya White.
Sandy Yang of the Rocco Altobelli St. Paul Training Academy created this winning style with color by Natalie Winter of the Rocco Altobelli Galleria Salon.
Photography: Billy Robin
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