Although only in it’s second year, the Russian hairdressing community have embraced the Russian Hairdressing Awards and made them the event of the year and the biggest hairdressing event in Russia; certainly an achievement for the world’s biggest country! This year’s awards, held on December 1st, were set to be even bigger than previous years.

Such is the popularity of the event that the leading hair and fashion press were in mass attendance, with magazines including ‘Dolores’, ‘You Professional’, ‘Vogue’ and ‘OK!’ vying for interviews and photos. The leading names in hair from across Russia and Europe, including UK winner Akin Konizi and Dolores Kondrashova ensured that there was no shortage of opportunities.

However, the evening was all about the Russian hairdressers, and the guests who had travelled from all over Russia to attend were not disappointed. Following three on-stage hair shows, the awards began. Winners included Hakim Sharipov, who won the Schwarzkopf Colorist of the Year award, and Farrukh Shamuratov, who won Newcomer of the Year. As the evening reached it’s climax, it was time for the highly coveted Hairdresser of the Year Award.

The judges, including multi-award winning styling Olga Burmistrova and Edward Trishkin, had faced a difficult decision. However, as their winner was announced, it was clear from the audience that they had made the right choice and Valery Lazarev was named as Russian Hairdresser of the Year for 2009.

Everyone who attended the gala evening hailed it as a fantastic success, and all that was left was for the winners and nominees to party the night away, celebrating their wins and their role in one of the biggest and fastest growing celebrations of excellence in Europe.

To learn more about the hairdressing awards and other winners from around the world, click here…