MENU
SEARCHThis 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 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.
Nino Altobelli (back to the camera) with models onstage at the 2010 RAFA.
RÜTE Wash introduces a shower cap designed specifically for crown washing, helping clients with hair extensions cleanse the scalp while protecting the lengths from water.
Premiere San Antonio Presented by SalonCentric returns for its fourth edition August 30-31 at the Henry B. González Convention Center, delivering its biggest and boldest event to date.
One-Day Personal and Professional Development Education Event for Beauty Professionals Set for October 25, 2026, at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.
A live education series explores the ideas, collaboration, creative decisions and processes behind the winning work.
According to the report, people are moving away from copy-paste trends and toward community, using real experiences to develop a sense of taste and beauty that reflects who they are.
Hairstylists and barbers can showcase their creative and technical vision in two global categories with cash prizes and a chance to represent in Portugal.
The BBR Beauty Show featured a prominent speaker lineup including Lacy Redway, Karrueche Tran, Danessa Myricks, Chelley B., Sabrina Elba, Jessica Harris-Dupart, and more.
The Professional Beauty Association and Pivot Point team up to develop an ongoing study that measures the confidence of salon owners, stylists, school owners, and students.
This shared recognition celebrates the strength of industry collaboration in advancing professional mobility.
In Dubai, a salon visit isn’t an appointment. It’s a weekly routine, and clients can spend $800 to $1,400 a month on it, according to Gaurav Tripathi of MADI International. On October 6-8, 2026, the market behind those numbers opens its doors as Beautyworld Dubai marks its 30th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together distributors, brands, stylists and salon owners from all over the world.
Sponsored by BeautyWorld Dubai
The Good Patch is a leading wearable wellness patch brand, offering wellness and skincare patches that support everyday needs including energy, sleep, relaxation and more.
Four publications for beauty industry professionals to enhance their leadership skills, financial awareness, professional growth, and joy!
Ulta Beauty has announced its partnership with Black Beauty Roster to launch the pilot of All Textures Certification (ATC). The new program is aimed at addressing gaps in education within the beauty industry and raising the level of skills and guest satisfaction for all.
Mireya Villarreal, founder of From Chair to Boss™, is bringing together beauty industry leaders for a new one-day educational event designed to help salon professionals strengthen the business side of their careers. From Chair to Boss Live! will take place September 28 at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Salon owner, tech founder, and educator Universe Walker will bring her signature workshop, The Art of Dry Cutting, to Brooklyn on July 20, offering stylists a chance to deepen their understanding of shape, movement, texture, and dry cutting.
As part of our ongoing commitment to sharing resources that help beauty professionals stay informed, we thought it was worth introducing our audience to The Chatter and the unique perspective it brings to industry conversations.
Celebrating 60 years in haircare, Dippity-Do is honoring its styling heritage with its Girls with Curls collection, a reimagined Light Hold Gelée inspired by the brand's original 1965 styling gel.
