Meet the Creative Judges
The Industry Awards team are excited to introduce you to the panel of judges for our creative awards this year!
We're honoured to have so many talented judges on board, all bringing with them years of experience and dedication to the hair and barbering industries. Keep reading to find out more about them.
Hair Judges
Dee-Parker Attwood
Dee Parker Attwood is one of Australia's hairdressing leaders, walking the line of owner, trainer and creative visionary. She balances the realities of running a successful business and nurturing her quest to deliver bespoke, graphic cut and finishing trends.
A self-proclaimed hair junkie, Dee is driven to succeed in a competitive space with a gift to inspire others to be their best.
As co-owner of South Yarra’s institution ‘Wieselmann Salon’, Dee is head of training, empowering over 20 staff members and mentoring countless other hairstylist around Australia.
Her role as National Ambassador for Schwarzkopf Professional, and also as the hair director for the Brisbane Fashion Festival and Australian Fashion Festival (Sydney) provides her with incredible opportunities for her to showcase her creative skills.
Dee is the 2019/2021/2022 Australian Hairdresser of the Year – and with no surprises is a finalist for 2023.
Originally beginning her career in Taranaki, New Zealand, before taking the international hair scene by storm, it only seems fitting that Dee brings her wealth of knowledge to our 2023 judging panel.
Lex Buckley
Lex Buckley, together with partner Sheryl, are the publishers of the well-known and well-read Images Magazine. Now in its 22nd year, Images has earned an international reputation and was awarded an Intercoiffure Global Press Award Paris in 2009.
Lex says; “With a keen interest in photography, I have an eye for the “money shot” which is stunning enough for a magazine editorial or front cover. My focus while judging the submitted images this year will be on the total look and feel of the shot; for example, does it tell a story? Is it visually exciting?”
This will be Lex’s 8th year judging the Editorial Stylist of the Year awards – as a stalwart of the industry and with a keen eye for detail, we’re excited to have him on board again this year and we truly value his experience and support.
Luca Jones
With a colourful work resumé, a successful salon and another on the horizon, Luca is shaking up the hair world with his pop-star energy and thirst for beautiful hair. Born in Wales from a family of hairdressers and trained from a young age, Luca has had a full column of clients since the age of 16. After quickly conquering his dream of working on stage, Luca became an in-demand session stylist working behind the scenes from Fashion Week to big-rent magazine cover shoots such as Vogue, before finally settling in with his love for TV work.
With an impressive TV portfolio including Strictly Come Dancing, The Masked Singer and Dancing on Ice, his celebrity clients include Kylie Minogue, Jessie J and Michelle Visage. Luca is constantly sharing this advanced knowledge and experience, with look-and-learn style education courses alongside the UK’s leading trade supplier, Alan Howard.
Fresh from judging the 2023 Australian Hair Industry Awards, Luca and his partner, barber Scott Humphreys are also making waves in the industry with their salon Kitch - a pastel-pink 50’s paradise which captures that nostalgic feeling of having your hair cut in the kitchen. A total judgement-free zone, Kitch has become well known for gaining the trust of the LGBTQ+ community, providing a safe space for people of all genders and identities to have their hair done.
Tracey Hughes
Tracey Hughes, a Hall of Fame inductee, 4x Educator of the Year, and 4x Excellence in Education recipient. Tracey is unique in her ability to bring out the best in others.
Beginning a career as a hairdresser in the UK in 1986, Tracey Hughes commenced her apprenticeship at Christopher Boyton. After backpacking to Australia in 1991, Tracey soon migrated permanently and chose to call Australia her home.
An industry expert, Tracey’s 30+ years of experience globally, positions her as one of the world’s most impressive hairstylists, motivational speakers, and industry leaders.
Tracey is an industry influencer and popular media TV personality. A trendsetter, her striking photographic images have graced countless front covers worldwide and she contributes as a columnist to the press regularly.
Tracey empowers female entrepreneurs to become experts who share their message through guiding them in their positioning and purpose. A role model to many, Tracey is the Founder of Leading Ladies and brings together a star-studded panel of female leaders to share a raw and honest look at the hair and beauty industries.
Patrick Cameron MBE
Patrick Cameron MBE is back, judging his Instagram challenge, where the theme for 2023 is ‘Bridal’; soft curls, intricate braids, elegant looks, whatever you think a bridal hairstyle looks like.
A fanatic for delivering user-friendly education, Patrick inspires stylists to create beautiful long hair work, which has been his life long passion.
His online platform Access Long Hair has enabled hairdressers from every corner of the globe to learn the art of dressing long hair.
Now residing permanently back home in Taranaki, Patrick still has a busy schedule traveling internationally completing masterclasses, and presenting at global hairdressing events.
When asked what makes a good hair picture, Patrick says it’s all about the model. Getting the story right. Good lighting will show off the definition in the hair.
Barbering Judges
Ben Kane
At the age of fifteen, Ben started his apprenticeship under a traditional barber learning many techniques that are not necessarily being taught anymore. From there, he chose to learn a range of hairdressing techniques from a salon in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs. Spending time working in a high end barbershop in Collins Street, Melbourne, Ben then used the knowledge he’d gained throughout his career to open his barbershop in Toorak for a number of years.
An ambassador for Excellent Edges and Wahl, when he is not running his business “Bonnie and Clyde’s” in Victoria, he is frequently educating all over Australia with De Lorenzo. Traveling, sharing the art and fostering meaningful relationships within the industry drives and inspires Ben in his work every day.
Ben believes the barbering industry is constantly evolving into bigger and better things and loves that the combination of barbering and hairdressing is becoming stronger with a more technical focus.
Naser
While running two barbershops, Hussein Naser delivers workshops in Western Australia and abroad, emphasising the importance of men’s clientele for the industry. He strives to be ahead of the trends, producing thought provoking and unique interpretations to influence the direction of men's hairstyling.
Developing his skills over the past 8 years, Naser has had the opportunity to train in Jordan, America and Australia.
With a long list of international competition experience, Naser has been named the winner of two AHIA categories for 2023, including the 2023 Men's Hair Specialist. Adding to that, he is also a Top 25 Finalist for Behind The Chair's 2023 Men's Collection.
Rex Silver
Rex A.C. Silver is a 35+ year hair industry veteran, and since crossing over to men’s hairdressing and barbering 9 years ago, has amassed 7 AHIA finalist nominations in barbering categories including 2 x Best Barber Australia. His barber businesses are winners of 9 Westpac/News Corp Best in Business awards, and he is on the judging panel at this year’s Australian Modern Barber Awards and a judge at the Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIA’s).
Rex has been the editor of BarberShop magazine since 2019. Published quarterly BarberShop magazine goes out in print to over 3000 Barber Shops and Men’s Hairdressers and by subscription to 1000 Uni-sex Salons who specialise in Men’s services. BarberShop, each issue, features in-depth interviews and showcases the work of Australian and International Barbers, and Barber Shop Businesses. The magazine covers industry news and business trends, the latest gear and products, and everything in-between to give a well-balanced overview of all things that make-up todays modern barbering world.
Vic Poccolotto
Vic Piccolotto is an accomplished international hairdressing educator, content developer and an acclaimed technician. He brings high enthusiasm and knowledge to all his presentations, and passionately drives trends within the industry.
Vic has specialized in the artistic and education field. Vic’s passion for education has taken him to Europe, United States, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan and China. His work is published in the U.S., Australia, South Africa, Finland, Germany and Asia.
Whilst residing in the USA, Vic flourished in the Media Production elements of education at Pivot Point International, designing cutting edge technology to the benefit of those around him. Whilst nurturing his natural presentation ability and flair for teaching.
Now in Australia, Vic heads up Pivot Point Australia & New Zealand’s Industry and Professional Education program. Vic’s creative ability in setting trends, eye for detail and insight into hair education is reflected in every presentation.
The Industry Awards is taking a break in 2024
HITO, Kitomba Salon and Spa Software and Hair & Barber New Zealand have announced that The Industry Awards will be taking a break in 2024.