Danny Pato of D&M Hair Design was recently named the 2017 New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year at the Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards Gala in Sydney - the stylist’s second consecutive win.
The annual Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards are the longest running awards in the Australian and New Zealand hairdressing industry - the finale of Hair Expo Australia, the largest hairdressing event in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Hairdresser of the Year award recognises Danny Pato as New Zealand’s most outstanding representative of the hairdressing industry. This is based on his demonstrated excellence in creativity and leadership, teamwork, business acumen, client management, industry development and recognition amongst their peers.
A judging panel of 12 international and 12 local judges anonymously assessed photographic collection entries across 14 creative categories, as well as written submissions for four business categories. The 2017 awards received 235 entries, a 40% increase from 2016, meaning tougher competition in many categories.
“Danny has been chosen for his achievements both in creative vision and leadership in the industry,” said Julia Erben, Event Director for Hair Expo. “The heritage of the Hair Expo Awards is to encourage participants to be the best they can be, and our winners tonight are a true testimony to this demanding challenge.”