Mana Dave has been named NZ Hairdresser of the Year for the third time at the Hair Expo awards in Sydney.

Dave, head stylist and co-owner of BLAZE salon in Auckland, also took out the prestigious title in 2005 and 2010.

Bronwyn Williams threw him a few questions.

What does winning NZ Hairdresser of the Year again mean to you?

"It was a total suprise- a pleasant one though! It was fantastic to get into the finals, but to win it was even better. There are no amazing trips to Fiji or New York, but as a salon owner the award is invaluable to your salon's profile. The amount of PR you get from winning this award is amazing, and everyone on the salon team benefits from it. It really helps to grow your business as it's an award that a lot of people regard highly."

You are on the international Redken team. What's that like?

"Being on the Redken team has given me amazing oppourtunities. I get to travel regularly, and spend a bit of time in New York, and it's just fantastic to be able to represent our Kiwi hair industry on a global scale."

Tell us about your exciting project in the pipeline:

"I was lucky enough to be selected as part of the team creating Redken's new international hair collection. These are the looks that will go into Redken salons all over the world to guide the trends and hair direction for the year ahead. The collection that I helped to work on will be launched in 2013, and it's nice to know there's some Kiwi flavour in it!"

How does your role as an international Redken team member shape your hairdressing style here in New Zealand?

"I think it's like anything - the more you have in front of you the more inspiration you have to draw from to impact you and your personal taste. If you get the opportunity to be exposed to things internationally and mix it in with being Kiwi then it gives you a different flavour."

Your favourite look for the coming season?

"In terms of shape I'm loving bobs at the moment. I was totally inspired by Chanel's interpretation of them for the resort collection. They did pastel bobs (they were actually wigs), and while the colour isn't so great for the current season, I loved the shape. It was a clean silhouette, it looked like the models had got a perfect blow wave and then had a great time in bed. It was disheveled, and had an amazing texture. This texturised bob is a great look for winter, and it's good for wavy hair because it's a look that needs texture. It's not poker straight."

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments