Think you know everything there is to know about the Contessas? Think again! Take a trip down memory lane with a look back at the history of the Canadian Hairstylist of the Year Awards.
1988:
The Canadian Hairstylist of the Year Awards (aka. the Contessa Awards) is born!
1998:
Salon acquires the Contessa Awards.
Fun Fact: Who runs the world? Girls! Anna Pacitto becomes the first woman in the awards’ history to win the Canadian Hairstylist of the Year award.
1999:
- At just 22, Anh Nguyen becomes the youngest winner of the Canadian Hairstylist of the Year award!
2002:
- Making history! Montreal-based salon team Orbite sweeps the Contessa Awards with seven wins (including Canadian Salon Team)—the most ever by a single salon team in one night!
2004:
- Bill Rowley makes his debut as host of the Contessa Awards! Did you know that Contessa 30 was his 15th time hosting?
- The Head Room from St. John’s, Nfld., wins Canadian Salon Team of the Year.
2007:
- Frank Dicintio from Salon Gaboa in Woodbridge, Ont., wins a hat trick: Canadian Hairstylist, Elite Master Hairstylist and Makeover Colourist.
- The Hair Factory from St. John’s, Nfld., wins Canadian Salon Team of the Year.
Did You Know? The Hair Factory has won a combined total of 15 Contessa awards to-date.
2010:
- The Contessa Awards introduces the Master Colourist of the Year award—a nomination-only category for colourists who have been working in the industry for more than seven years.
Did You Know? Michelle Pargee was the first-ever Master Colourist winner.
2012:
- Salon honours the memory of industry icon John Steinberg by renaming its Community Service award to The John Steinberg Award for Community Service.
2013:
- The Contessa Awards begins streaming a webcast of the entire show online.
- Edwin Johnston wins his eighth Contessa award. While he continues to compete, he’s now taken on another behind- the-scenes role—photographer!
2014:
- Husband-and-wife hairstyling duo Silas and Dorothy Tsang of Ottawa-based salon Blushes win Canadian Colourist and Ontario Hairstylist.
- The Fan Favourite award is introduced, allowing the public to have their say and vote for their favourite Contessa collection online at SalonMagazine.ca
- The Catessas have arrived! The Salon team creates a fun parody of the Contessas, starring cats!
2017:
- The Contessa Awards goes international with the introduction of the International Hairstylist category!
- Australia’s Uros Mikic was the first-ever Contessa winner for International Hairstylist of the Year.
2018:
- Tony Ricci earns his 10th Contessa award, continuing his reign as one of the most decorated Contessa winners to date!
- Contessa celebrates its 30th anniversary with the debut of a new logo (designed by renowned typographer Paul Sych), a trophy redesign and our largest audience ever— sold out!
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