Saras Crowning Glory
THE NEW IHF IRISH HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR IS ANNOUNCED
The Irish Hairdressing Championships or the Oscars of Irish Hairdressing as it has now become, took place recently (Sunday 9th of March 2008) at the RDS, Dublin 4. Over 400 hairdressers from across the country competed to win one of the 12 categories and 6 prestigious industry awards, which are considered the highest accolades for hairdressers working in Ireland.
The much-coveted title of Irish Hairdresser of the Year was awarded to Sara Geaney from Chameleon Hair, Drogheda, Co Louth. This is Sara’s first time to win Irish Hairdresser of the Year but the salon’s third time to take the title home to Drogheda, with owner David Murray winning the award on two previous occasions. Sara battled it out in all 6 senior categories to be crowned Irish Hairdresser of the Year. Commenting on her win she said; “I am thrilled, I really can’t believe it, the standard this year was so high I had absolutely no idea I would become Irish Hairdresser if the Year”.
The Irish Hairdressing Championships, which have been run by the Irish Hairdressing Federation since its inception in 1974, showcases the best of the industry’s talent, with technique based awards ranging from Cut and Colour Awards to Long Hair Up-styling and the more elaborate Creative Fantasy Award. A total of 12 categories including Ladies Full Fashion, Ladies Street Fashion and Men’s Free Style showcase the level and range of skills in the hairdressing industry in Ireland.
The Irish Hairdressing Federation’s President Eoin Wright commented, “Irish hairdressers have again surpassed themselves in terms of their creativity and ability to surprise everyone with their new looks and fashion direction. Transferring the competition to a new venue, the RDS, we were nervous about how the day itself would run but due to the great effort from all levels, trainee to executive committee members, the day went without a hitch. With the presence of the director of the World Competitions (OMC), Carmello Guglitti, we showed that we are more than capable of hosting an International event of this calibre in Ireland. The committee are already looking forward to planning next years competition.”
The Irish Hairdressing Championships 2008 displayed the most impressive show ever with an ever-increasing level of entries and the highest standard of work seen to date. The judging panel comprised of renowned industry experts including; Jenny Crawford (Artistic Director of Kazumi), Clive Johnson (Member of Ireland World up Squad and Former Irish Hairdresser of the Year), Mary Kennedy (Gold Medallist at the World Hairdressing Championships in Milan), Frank Hession (Irish Icon Hall of Leaders and Honorary president of the IHF), Maeve O’Healy Harte (Champion of All Irish Champions for the past 8 years), Pat Wood (Finalist in the British Hairdressing Awards and Business Woman of the Year 2008) David Murray (Irish Hairdresser of the year 2007) and Joanne O’Neill (finalist of British Hairdressing Awards) .