The Kao Salon Global Experience (October 2-3, 2022), held this year in beautiful Amsterdam, brought together brand fans from around the world to celebrate the innovation coming from Goldwell,KMS, Varis, andOribe, the creativity of uber-talented artists participating in the Global Creative Awards, and the joy of being together, again, after two years of connecting virtually.  The excitement of being in the moment, IRL, was felt everywhere.

“It was a huge pleasure to be able to do host the event live again this year,” said John Moroney, Kao Salon Division VP Creative & Communication. "Our salon owners and stylists were thrilled. According to our stylists, attending this year’s Kao Salon event was like coming home to a family reunion – if your family was made up of the coolest, most creative people in the industry. It’s a place to meet up with like-minded artists and create friendships for life. Every type of creativity was waiting for the guests – from the contemporary color and style of Goldwell to the street style craftsmanship of KMS and the chic, editorial styling of Oribe.”

Throughout two full days of artistic presentations, brand introductions, and next level parties, a highlight was the in-person competition for the Global Creative Awards.

KAO SALON GLOBAL CREATIVE AWARDS 

Artists who had won country competitions earned their place in this global challenge.  The categories included those judged strictly on the photo collections submitted, and also three categories for in-person, live competition and judging:  New Talent Colorist of the Year, Creative Cutter of the Year and Creative Colorist of the Year.

The artists competing in the haircutting segment were allowed 90 minutes, from picking up their tools, to stepping away from their stations.  Color and New Talent were afforded three hours.  And the goal was to recreate the photo submission that had earned them their place at the competition, no small feat considering the variables of being out of their environment, being watched by thousands of fellow artists, and judged, all at the same time.  

In the end, the results were tallied and announced, live, onstage and the winners are:

New Talent Colorist of the Year

GOLD: Tiew Pei Yu from Malaysia
SILVER: Emily Kooistra from Canada
BRONZE: Lucia McEvoy from United Kingdom

Creative Colorist of the Year

GOLD: Junz Loke from Singapore
SILVER: Ian Lee Jia Pei from Malaysia
BRONZE: Tasha Yip from Hong Kong

Creative Haircutter of the Year

GOLD: Daniela Farzetti from Italy
SILVER: Rafael Monzó López from Spain
BRONZE: Alex Tant from USA

Editorial Colorist of the Year

GOLD: Ben Driscoll-Price from United Kingdom
SILVER: Amy Wardley from United Kingdom
BRONZE: Jack Mead & Lydia Wolfe from United Kingdom

Avant Garde Stylist of the Year

GOLD: Tom Yek Teng Siong from Malaysia
SILVER: Manou Grijsen from Netherlands
BRONZE: Abbie Jackson from Australia

Salon Team of the Year

GOLD: Siew Thiam Kui from Malaysia
SILVER: Rafa Monzó López from Spain
BRONZE: Donna Page from United Kingdom

Men’s Hairstylist of the Year

GOLD: Andrew Plester from United Kingdom
SILVER: Jeffrey Den Dikkenboer from Netherlands
BRONZE: Jos Verzijlberg from Netherlands