International icons heading Down Under for the hair industry’s event of the year

Wednesday 8 March 2017, Sydney: He’s worked the tresses of Lady Gaga; set global hair trends on the runways of fashion houses like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Stella McCartney; and worked on editorial campaigns for designers like Calvin Klein, Jil Sander, and Giorgio Armani. Lauded as a true visionary of the industry, hairstylist Eugene Souleiman will grace Australia’s shores in June for a rare appearance at Hair Expo Australia, where he will take stylists through his unique approach to cutting and styling during a masterclass in partnership with Mizutani Scissors.

Joining the stellar line-up at Hair Expo 2017, Hollywood colourist and social media superstar Guy Tang will return to Australia on the Olaplex World Tour, following his celebrated appearance at Hair Expo 2016 in Melbourne. Guy has amassed a following of “#HairBesties”, with more than 1.5 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, 1.3 million Facebook followers, and 1.9 million followers on Instagram. These hair groupies follow Guy’s uniquely whimsical and vibrant hair colour tutorials, many of which go viral with styles like Unicorn Hair and Phoenix Neon Glowing Hair. This year, Sydneysiders will have their turn to witness Guy’s colour mastery in the flesh during a creative session in partnership with Olaplex and Haircare Australia.

In an ode to the popularity of barbering, the illustrious Scumbags of Rotterdam, the Schorem Barbers, will also visit Hair Expo Australia in June to showcase their unique approach to classic men’s barbering in partnership with Reuzel and Haircare Australia. The subjects of social media fanfare, the barbers are known to have queues lasting up to five hours outside their small Rotterdam barbershop, as men from around the world wait for a turn in one of their coveted barber chairs.

Hands-on learning with hair heroes

Hairdressers will have bucket-list opportunities at Hair Expo Australia 2017, with the chance to participate in intimate workshops with hair legends in a live setting. Direct from the UK, Mark Hayes and Edward Darley of Sassoon will lead three exclusive technical skills workshops, which will be limited to just 12 people. Stylists will have a never-before-offered opportunity to learn directly from some of the best in the international hair education industry.

Also offering more personal, intimate education for hairdressers at Hair Expo is reality television star and expert business advisor, Tabatha Coffey of ‘Tabatha Takes Over’. Tabatha will take four roundtable classes limited to just 12 people per session, where she will consult on key business considerations from staff motivation and leadership; to how to best use social media to improve the success of your business and reach the right customers.

These hands-on learning opportunities have been designed to equip business owners and salon managers with the tools to ensure guaranteed commercial success.

Hair Expo Australia Event Director, Julia Erben, says “We are so thrilled to be back in Sydney this year at our brand new venue, which is complemented by exciting options to learn from some of the most iconic artists in the world of hair. This group of legendary talent from around the globe can’t wait to come to Hair Expo 2017, making this year’s program a firework of ideas and inspiration. It’s high time that Sydney gets back its very own Festival of Hair!”

Three nights of hair couture, never to be seen again

Be swept away by the art of hairdressing during Hair Expo Australia’s popular evening events, which have received a restyle in 2017. On Saturday 10 June, the new Masters of Hair grand stage will present intimate insights into the minds and craft of the biggest names in the industry, including Mark Hayes and Edward Darley of Sassoon; 2016 Hair Expo Australian Hairdresser of the Year, Frank Apostolopoulos; Tabatha Coffey; the teacher of all teachers, Sharon Blain; Jayne Wild with her legendary poppets; and 2016 Hair Expo New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year, Danny Pato, among others.

On Sunday night, the GenNext Gala, designed to provide a platform for up-and-coming talent in the hair industry, will be injected with inspiration from our favourite reality TV shows (think ‘The X-Factor’ and ‘The Voice’), pairing eight creative teams with four sets of mentors who will guide them to success. Mentors for this year include Dmitri Papas and Justin Pace; Caterina Di Biase; Emiliano and Lisa Vitale; and Stevie English.

On Monday night, the pinnacle event for the hair community – the Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards Gala – will announce the winners of the distinguished Hair Expo Awards while the crowds are entertained by a spectacular Schwarzkopf Professional Essential Looks show.

Expo space nearly sold out

In 2017, Hair Expo is thrilled to be back in Sydney at the new International Convention Centre (ICC) in Darling Harbour, where visitors will be able to see and try the latest products from brands like De Lorenzo, Olaplex, Oribe, R+Co., TIGI, Glampalm, Trichovedic, Wahl, Mizutani, and Napoleon Perdis, among others. After Hair Expo saw a 35 per cent increase in visitors and 30 per cent increase in exhibitors in 2016 when held in Melbourne for the first time, the 2017 event is set to be bigger than ever, with 85 per cent of floor space already sold at a bigger venue.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Hair Expo Australia is the premier trade event for hair professionals and will take place from Saturday 10 to Monday 12 June (Queen’s Birthday long weekend) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney. The full programme, event registration, and early bird tickets are now available at www.hairexpoaustralia.com.

For interview requests, imagery and further details, please contact Belinda Craigie: Belinda.Craigie@reedexhibitions.com.au ; +61 (0)2 9422 2986