This weekend we celebrated one of the glitziest events in the professional beauty industry— the 2017 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) recognizing technical excellence and artistic expression in hairdressing. The NAHAs took place in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 beauty professionals in Las Vegas and we are thrilled and proud of three inspiring Aveda Artists that took home top honors. We also celebrate the nine other Aveda Artists nominated in some of the most prestigious categories.

Below we share more on those wins, and a look at the Aveda NAHA presentation that honors the Aveda Mission.

Much-deserved congratulations to Heggy Gonzalez, Creative Director, Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes Denver, Phoenix, Provo and Tucson, who won NAHA Editorial Stylist of the Year.

Heggy accepted her award noting that she had entered the competition every year since she was a student in 1999. She thanked her Aveda family and shared that her greatest passion in life is giving back to the industry as an Aveda Educator.

Aveda Artist Diana Skrabanek of Ruiz Salon, Austin, Texas, won the NAHA Styling and Finishing award, a category that draws attention to detail and skill in the ability to craft hair for a special vision. 

Very humble and touched, Diana accepted her award thanking all her supporters, including her biggest mentor Allen Ruiz, Aveda Global Artistic Director, Hair Styling.

Later in the evening, Aisling Campbell, a mentee of Heggy’s won for her work coming out of the Aveda Institute Tucson. “To the amazing institute Inspire Greatness, I’m so blessed and honored to be part of this family and tribe,” Aisling said in her speech.

Like many in the Aveda network who give back to the world we live in, Campbell also spoke about her work with the Gospel Rescue Mission, a women’s and children’s center in Tucson, and how the women inspire her every day to be determined and to succeed.

Aveda’s five model theatrical presentation “Liquid Life” set the precedence early in the evening for showcasing stunning couture hair styling, as inspired by the Aveda network’s passion to the Aveda Mission and protecting clean water.

“Liquid Life is an homage to our incredible network of artists who work diligently to protect clean water throughout the world, every April, during Earth month and beyond,” said presentation lead Antoinette Beenders, Aveda Global Creative Director. “Since 2007, the Aveda network, along with our guests, have raised more than $50 million dollars for clean water, and I am in absolute awe of our network’s dedication, passion and drive to caring for our planet.”

The artistic tribute featured models in distinct hair styles that appeared liquid-like when they walked the runway wearing dresses of acrylic that evoked the look of splashes. Eco glitter, sequins and recycled crystals adorned intricate hair styles that included finger waves and geometric cuts colored in vivid hues by Ian Michael Black, Global Artistic Director, Hair Color.

A superbly detailed constructed style of silver sequins meticulous placed to create the look of water swirls.

CELEBRATE THE WINNING AVEDA ARTISTS

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