Sure the Nokia Theater for the Emmy’s was a great place to be Sunday night, but an even better place for members of the professional salon industry was just a few miles away at the Hollywood Palladium to attend the United States and Canadian finals of Wella’s 2011 North America Trend Vision Awards.

It was a fun, exciting and entertaining evening at the famed theater on Sunset Boulevard. 33 finalists were there to finish their models, demonstrating their talents in the Young Talent, Color and Student categories.

Thousands of salon professionals were there to cheer on their friends and colleagues, while many just showed up to see some good hair.  Of course the overall finishes by the competitors were AMAZING, but there were a few presentations that made the cost of the ticket beyond worth it. But since the event sold out early, Wella Professionals made it easy for those who could not get a ticket to at least see it all happen. The competition was webcast LIVE and more than 3000 viewers from more than 14 countries tuned in to the 2 hour broadcast.

That broadcast offered a lot more than results. All in attendance, both in house and “tuned in”, were treated to presentations by  the Essensuals London Hairdressing Team who offered powerful avant garde finishes, edgy hair creations by Daniel Ditomasso  and Diva Poulos, and a Pret-a-Porter collection by Nioxin artists Brian Bode and Anthony Crosfield.

“This has been an incredible evening,” said host Fabio Sementilli, Technical and Creative Director of Education for NA P&G Salon Professionals.  “It is a true celebration of inspiration, art and hairstyling.”

And a special night for the winners who will now compete in the International competition to be held in NY on October 30th!  Here is the rundown of the results:

US TREND VISION FINALISTS

YOUNG TALENT
GOLD: Joey Kiening from Solo Salon in Chicago, IL TREND: Lumina
SILVER: Anthony Cress from Studio 4 in NewPort Beach TREND: Polaris
BRONZE: Brenton Lee from Salon Sessions in Pasadena, CA TREND: Polaris

COLOR CATEGORY
GOLD: Shirley Gordon from Strands Hair Studio in Wheaton, MD TREND: Polaris
SILVER: Mark Debolt from Haus Salon in Minneapolis, MN TREND: Lumina
BRONZE: Liz Wright from Alibi Salon in NY, NY TREND: Polaris

STUDENT CATEGORY
GOLD: Kristin Bacaycay from Bellus Academy in Poway, CA TREND: Passionista
SILVER: Vaomy Genrena from Century College Inc. in San Juan, Puerto Rico TREND: Glamazon
BRONZE: Kathryn Hornick from Aveda Institute of MN in SE Minneapolis, MN TREND: Polaris

CANADA TREND VISION FINALISTS

YOUNG TALENT
GOLD: Suzanne Pack from Texture Hair Salon in Ottawa, ON TREND: Lumina
SILVER: Katie Johnston from Axis Hair Salon in Vancouver, BC TREND: Polaris
BRONZE: Domenic Barbiero from Hair Xtacy in Burlington, ON TREND: Polaris

COLOR CATEGORY
GOLD: Antonio Quintieri from Salon Shyne in Woodbridge, ON TREND: Polaris
SILVER:Ramsey Sayah from Texture Hair Salon in Ottawa, ON TREND: Polaris
BRONZE: Jessica Gauvin from Salon Art.Koi.FUR in Cowansville, QC TREND: Polaris