Entries are now open
The Industry Collective Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and creativity within the New Zealand hairdressing industry. These awards recognise professionals who are shaping the future of hair through technical skill, artistic vision and contemporary relevance.
Entrants are encouraged to submit imagery that reflects modern editorial quality, strong technical execution and a clear point of view. Work should demonstrate both fashion awareness and professional craftsmanship, whether through creative experimentation or elevated commercial hairdressing.
Judges will be looking for work that feels current, considered and visually compelling — hair that could live comfortably on the pages of a fashion publication while still demonstrating the craftsmanship of professional hairdressing.
Whether your work leans editorial, progressive, refined or commercially wearable, the Industry Collective Awards exist to celebrate the diversity of talent within the New Zealand hair community.
Entrants may submit imagery that has been previously entered into other awards, provided those entries were not part of a winning submission. All images must be reworked, including edits such as colour to black and white conversions, alternative colour grading, or a different image selection from the original shoot.
Email Sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz for more information
NZ Hairdresser
of the Year
Sponsored by
UNCOMMON Hair and Skincare
Credit: Carla Southan
This category recognises a hairdresser who represents the highest standard of modern New Zealand hairdressing. Entrants should demonstrate strong technical ability combined with fashion awareness, innovation and a clear aesthetic identity.
The work should feel editorial, contemporary and directional, showcasing a balance between creativity and salon relevance.
Images must be shot in Portrait and be no larger than 3mb per image in jpg file each when sending through for entry.
Eligibility
Minimum 6 years hairdressing experience
Must be currently working in a commercial salon
Submission Requirements
3 images no lqrger than 3mb per image and portrait
Images must feature at least 2 different models
Wigs and/or hairpieces may be used
Regional Recognition
In addition to the national title, entries submitted for NZ Hairdresser of the Year will also be considered for regional recognition.
Subject to entry numbers from each region, one North Island Hairdresser of the Year and one South Island Hairdresser of the Year will be awarded. All entrants in the NZ Hairdresser of the Year category will automatically be eligible for these regional titles, based on the location of their primary place of work.
This initiative is designed to acknowledge and celebrate excellence across the country, highlighting outstanding talent within both the North and South Islands.
Email Sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz for more information
Commercial Colourist of the Year
Credit: Chinney Yeap
This category recognises colourists who elevate everyday salon colour into something beautiful, refined and fashion relevant.
Entries should showcase colour that clients would genuinely wear, but presented with a modern, editorial sensibility. Judges will be looking for colour that enhances the overall look while demonstrating excellent technique, tone selection and placement.
This award celebrates colourists who consistently deliver commercially desirable colour with exceptional quality and polish.
Images must be shot in Portrait and be no larger than 3mb jpg file each when sending through for entry.
Eligibility
Any hairdresser working in a commercial salon
Submission Requirements
3 images no larger then 3 mb per image and in portrait
Images must feature at least 2 different models
Wigs and/or hairpieces may be used
Email Sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz for more information
Men's Hairdresser of the Year
Sponsored by
UNCOMMON man
Credit: Te Warena
This category recognises excellence in modern men’s hairdressing and barbering. Entries should showcase strong technical skill, precision and contemporary interpretation of men’s grooming.
Judges are looking for work that is fashion forward, confident and modern, demonstrating strong shape, texture and finish. Styles may range from classic barbering to progressive men’s hairdressing, but should always feel relevant to current fashion and culture.
Images must be shot in Portrait and be no larger than 3mb jpgeach when sending through for entry.
Eligibility
Entrants may be working or training in either a barbershop or hair salon
Submission Requirements
3 images no larger than 3mb per image and in portrait
Images must feature at least 2 different models
Wigs and/or hairpieces may be used
Email Sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz for more information
Educator of the Year
Sponsored by
Industry Collective
Credit: Salon International London
This category recognises an outstanding hairdressing educator who is making a meaningful impact on the growth, development and future of the industry.
Eligible entrants may include product company educators or platform artists, private sector educators, in-salon educators, or those working within formal training establishments. Regardless of setting, entrants should demonstrate a commitment to elevating others through education, mentorship and the sharing of knowledge.
Judges will be looking for individuals who inspire, influence and drive standards forward—those who combine strong technical expertise with the ability to communicate, engage and develop talent at all levels. Evidence of innovation in teaching methods, contribution to industry progression, and measurable impact on learners will be highly regarded.
Submission Requirements
Supporting imagery that reflects your role as an educator (e.g. on stage, in-salon training, workshops, classroom environments, results of your presentations)
Present your answers and supporting images in a 5 page PDF no larger than 5 mb
Submission Questions
What is your approach to education, where do you facilitate your training, and who do you primarily educate?
(e.g. apprentices, senior stylists, salon teams, large-scale seminars, brand education, etc.)Can you provide specific examples of how your education has impacted individuals, teams or the wider industry?
(This may include student success, career progression, business growth, or other measurable outcomes.)How do you stay current and ensure your education remains relevant, modern and aligned with industry trends?
In what ways have you contributed to innovation or raised standards within hairdressing education?
Email Sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz for more information
Emerging Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by
HITO
Credit: Industry Collective Team
The Emerging Apprentice category celebrates the rising talent within New Zealand’s hairdressing industry.
This award recognises apprentices who are in the early stages of their careers, showcasing their developing creativity, technical skill, and passion for the craft.
Judges are looking for a colour and styling result, whether presented through a creative or commercial lens. Entries should demonstrate an understanding of current trends while reflecting the individual’s personal approach to hair.
This category is about potential, growth, and the exciting future of the industry—encouraging apprentices to explore their creativity and build confidence in their work.
Images must be shot in Portrait and be no larger than 3mb jpg file when sending through for entry.
Eligibility
Under 5 years of hairdressing experience
Must be either a current HITO apprentice or newly qualified through HITO
Submission Requirements
1 image no larger than 3mb and in portrait
Image may represent creative or commercial work
Wigs and/or hairpieces may be used
Email Sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz for more information
Transformation Stylist of the Year
Credit: Sky Srisukpolluck
This category celebrates exceptional transformation work within the salon or barbershop environment, recognising stylists who can demonstrate impactful, visible change through their craft.
Entries should showcase a clear before and after result, highlighting technical skill, creativity and execution across the full transformation process. Work should be commercially relevant and client-appealing, reflecting results that could be achieved within a real salon environment while still maintaining a strong, polished finish.
Eligibility
Open to any New Zealand hairdresser and/or barber at any level
Submission Requirements
Submit ONE video
Video must be no longer than 60 seconds
Video must clearly show the before and after result at the beginning
Video should showcase the transformation process from start to finish
Previously published social media content is permitted
Email Sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz for more information
Image Guidelines
Credit: Simeon Brink
All submitted imagery should reflect a strong editorial quality and professional finish.
Images should showcase the hair clearly while maintaining an overall fashion aesthetic.
Images may have been previously entered into other awards, provided they were not part of a winning submission and the collection has been re-edited or reworked.
This may include adjustments such as colour grading, black and white conversions, or alternative image selections from the same shoot.
While not a requirement, entrants are encouraged to consider retouching and/or colour grading their images to elevate the final collection and ensure a polished, publication-ready finish.
All work must remain unpublished throughout the entry and judging process and can only be published once final judging has been completed, and they have been notified from Industry Collective.
Images must be shot in Portrait and be no larger than 3mb per image jpg file each when sending through for entry.
Entry forms will be sent via email once the registration of $50.00 has been paid, for information please email sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz
All work must be sent in email with filled in entry form to Sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz before the deadline of 27th July 2026
Entry Costs
Entries are $50 except for the Emerging Apprentice category, who are free to enter.
Entires Close July 27th 2026,
The first 50 entries registered and paid for will receive a retail gift package to create their looks from Uncommon Hair & Skincare,
This opportuniy does not apply to Emerging Apprentice entrants as their category is free entry.
For full dossier and how to enter email sara.allsop@xtra.co.nz
Awards Night Auckland
August 2026