Danny Pato, winner of Hair Expo 2017 New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year. Image supplied.
D&M Hair Design‘s Danny Pato has taken home the trophy of 2017 New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year at the Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards Gala in Sydney. The Ponsonby-based stylist has won the title for the second consecutive year with his demonstrated excellence in creativity and leadership, teamwork, business acumen, client management, industry development as well as the recognition amongst his peers.
“Its amazing to win this title two years in a row”, says Danny. “Having won last year, the past 12 months have been great for boosting my whole team’s morale, for driving exposure for our brand and really building our social media profile. I really believe you need to be true to yourself and stick to your guns and I can’t wait to do it all over again for another year!”
The Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards celebrates its 32nd anniversary this year and are the longest running and most respected awards in the Australian and New Zealand hairdressing industry. The annual awards are the finale of Hair Expo Australia, which is the largest hairdressing event in the southern hemisphere. This year over 1000 hair professionals gathered for the winners ceremony as part of the lavish awards gala in the Grand Ballroom of the ICC Sydney.
The Hair Expo New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year award is the highest accolade in NZ’s hairdressing industry and is judged by a panel of 12 international and 12 local judges. The judges anonymously assess the photographic collection entries across 14 creative categories, as well as the written submissions of four business categories. Following the announcement of the finalists, the 14 creative category entrants also submit written entries for judging. The 2017 awards received 235 entries, which is a 40% increase from last year and made for a tougher competition in many categories.
Because the Hair Expo Hairdresser of the Year award is based 50/50 on a photographic collection as well as on a year of service to the industry and business performance it means that the winners the recipients of the awards represent not only the best, most creative hairdressers of New Zealand and Australia but are also industry leaders with the highest possible levels of personal integrity.
“Danny has been chosen for his achievements both in creative vision and leadership in the industry, making him a comprehensive ambassador for this multifaceted profession”, said Julia Erben, Event Director for Hair Expo. “The heritage of the Hair Expo Awards is to encourage participants to be the best they can be, and our winners tonight are a true testimony to this demanding challenge. During their extraordinary careers, they have not only demonstrated all-inspiring creative vision, but have also encouraged and educated countless peers, securing the future of our industry.”