MIG DAY OUT 2025 A Celebration of Community, Creativity & Connection

MIG Day Out 2025 was more than an event, it was a full-scale celebration of hairdressing culture, creativity, and connection. On Monday 21st July, the MIG campus came alive with over 130 people from across our incredible community, from Curate Award finalists to salon owners, company representatives, apprentices, and senior stylists.

This was a day to gather, learn, and be inspired, but more than that, it was a reminder of the joy and energy that flows when our industry comes together. For many, it was a chance to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new ones, and walk away buzzing with fresh ideas and renewed passion for their craft.

The Welcome

The moment guests walked through the doors, they stepped into a space alive with colour, music, and movement. There was a true festival feel, bright styling zones, the hum of conversation, the scent of great food in the air, and a soundtrack from our resident DJ that set the tone for the entire day.

Everyone was greeted with a goodie tote bag packed with surprises, setting the scene for a day where every detail was designed to make people feel welcome and inspired. The coffee cart was in full swing from the first arrival, ensuring everyone was fuelled for the creativity ahead.

A Trade Area Full of Ideas

The trade area quickly became a social and learning hub. Here, our incredible sponsors, L’Oréal, Showpony, and Sustainable Salons, Barber Temple and Becky B Education — showcased their latest innovations and connected directly with the community.

• L’Oréal brought their global prestige to the floor, sharing their latest product developments and colour technologies.

• Showpony offered insight into the power and versatility of premium hair extensions, inspiring guests to explore new ways of enhancing their work.

• Sustainable Salons reminded everyone of the importance of environmental responsibility, showing practical ways salons can reduce waste and give back to the community.

• Barber Temple – Showcasing their innovative one stop barber education and supply hub.

One of the most talked-about stops in the trade area was the interactive trichology zone by @becky_b_education. The Becky B team were scanning scalps, sharing personalised hair science insights, and offering expert trichology tips. For many guests, this was an eye-opening experience, adding a new layer of understanding to the link between scalp health and creative results.

A Creative Line-Up to Remember

MIG Day Out’s stage program was an inspiring showcase of artistry in motion. From the first demo to the final act, the audience was treated to techniques, ideas, and approaches that spoke to every corner of our craft. Concurrent sessions allowed those who attended to choose their own adventure from an incredible line-up that included:

• The Rixon Hair Crew: Brad, Chloe, Imogen and Lilly – kicked off the day in style, showcasing cutting and dressing hair techniques with their trademark elegance. Known for their collaborations with L’Oréal, the team also highlighted their education platform for cutting and styling — a valuable resource for salon training that brings high-end skills into everyday salon life.

• Ella & Jade – Anna & Alanah: Specialists in curly and Afro hair, Anna and Alanah demonstrated precision cutting and styling techniques for textured hair. Their session celebrated diversity in hairdressing and promoted their education platform dedicated to curly and coily hair professionals, shining a spotlight on the beauty and complexity of natural texture.

• Matt Clarke: Newly minted ANZ AMBA of the year for 2025, Matt delivered a brace of sharp, edgy cuts packed with heavy texture and clipper work. His demo bridged the worlds of barbering and hairdressing, offering techniques that were both commercially relevant and creatively daring.

• Kristie Kesic: Wonderfully supported by Nathan Yip, Kristie provided the only live colour demonstration of the day. Kristie wowed the audience with her freehand and lived-in colour techniques. Widely recognised as one of Australia’s top colourists, her expertise and calm, confident approach inspired both emerging colourists and seasoned professionals to experiment and refine their craft.

• Barber Temple Crew: Kat and Kristian from the Barber Temple were locked in an energetic and entertaining- this or that challenge, the Barber Temple team showcased their barbering skills in a format that was as inspiring as it was fun. The friendly rivalry, quick banter, and technical precision made it a highlight for many.

• Justin Pace: 2023 Hairdresser of the Year Justin Pace brought the day to a fitting finale with a live demo incorporating a timeless curly shape reimagined through progressive, creative, and outside-the-box cutting techniques. Combined with wig creativity and delivering standout colour work, Justin’s artistry and showmanship ended the event on an absolute high.

If the creative line up was not enough Showpony GM Nadine Johns-Alcock provided a thought-provoking education session on ethics and sustainability of the extension industry. Nadine’s presentation even had a cameo from Sustainable Salons one and only Paul Frasca.

What made MIG Day Out so special was the way it blended high-level education with genuine community spirit. It wasn’t just about watching hair being cut, coloured, or styled — it was about the conversations between demos, the laughter in the crowd, and the spontaneous “wow” moments when a technique clicked.

People weren’t just inspired by the presenters; they were inspired by each other. Apprentices stood shoulder-to-shoulder with award-winning stylists. Salon owners shared tips with students. Everyone, regardless of experience level, left with something new to bring back to their chair.

MIG Day Out 2025 simply wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of sponsors: L’Oréal, Showpony, Sustainable Salons, Becky B, Barber Temple and Curate. Their contributions helped create a space where artistry could shine and our community could come together in such a meaningful way.

The incredible energy and success of the day meant that MIG Day Out 2026 is a distinct possibility. Stay Tuned!

@mig_training @anthonygray_mig