4 minute read
THE WINNERS OF THE SECOND ANNUAL 2025 CURATE AWARDS FOR AUSTRALIA & NZ
The incredible winners of the CURATE Awards have been announced and recognised as the best apprentice talent that Australia and New Zealand have to offer. These five individuals may just be starting out, but they have well and truly made their first mark on the industry.
THE 2025 CURATE AWARD WINNERS ARE:
REGIONAL AUSTRALIA - COLOUR & STYLE
Kynan Booty, Parlour O
REGIONAL AUSTRALIA - CUT & COLOUR
Kealey-Grace Harkins, Jarahs Hair
URBAN AUSTRALIA - COLOUR & STYLE
Elisha Forgione, Bliss The Art Of Hair
URBAN AUSTRALIA - CUT & COLOUR
Kobi Lee, The Factory 3013
NEW ZEALAND - COLOUR & STYLE
Jess Wilson, Zibido Hair
Created to discover and celebrate the freshest urban and regional Apprentices through the delivery of exciting hair vision and creativity, the 2025 CURATE Awards are a unique competition platform. Envisioned by Brisbane hairdressing icon and reigning AHIA Creative Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2023 Justin Pace, the ongoing goal of CURATE is to elevate the perception of hairdressing as an exciting career pathway for all entrants.
As a digital competition, CURATE allows for apprentice talent to shine through the creation of a two-minute video to showcase their cutting, colouring and styling skills, eliminating any geographical barriers to entry. Entrants are judged on a combination of inspiration, delivery of their hair creation, finished result and video editing skills and these winners all showed their superior skills.
The winners will now start prepping online with Justin for their full-day photo shoot workshop in Sydney, just one part of their share of the $51k+ prize pool, which also includes tickets to Hair Festival and the AHIA Creative Awards Gala, L’Oréal ACCESS Education vouchers, Excellent Edges scissors, ghd Professional electrical tools, ELEVEN Australia products, Sustainable Salons goodie bags, a biography from Lily Blue Communications plus industry exposure throughout 2025.
Justin is thrilled to honour Australia and New Zealand’s most exciting new talent; “Working with our winners last year was such a personal highlight, but I also truly believe that the success of the Awards is crucial for the longevity and sustainability of our industry. Hairdressing is an incredibly fulfilling and exciting career, and I want every Apprentice and aspiring Apprentice to feel that. I can’t wait to work with our five amazing talents this year. Watch this space for the magic we will create!”
A big thank you to CURATE’s collaborators for 2025 who are championing the industry. These include Official Media Partner Mocha Group, Major Partner L’Oréal Access, Prize Partners Excellent Edges, ELEVEN Australia and ghd, Sustainability Partner Sustainable Salons and Proud Supporters MIG Training, the AHC and Jadore Hair which will be supplying all hair for the winners’ photo shoot.
@curateawards
