The Journey Behind The Awards

By Kristie Kesic

2025 AHIA Master Colourist of the Year, 2025 AHIA Collective Team of the Year with Dee Parker Attwood, and 2025 AHIA BTS Dream Team with Andrew O’Toole, Kylie O’Toole, and Catherine V.

When I was asked to write about awards submissions and the creative process, my first thought wasn’t the “how-to” of entering. For me, creating a collection has never been about following a particular strategy—it’s a journey. And every creative’s journey is unique.

This is mine. It won’t look like anyone else’s, and that’s the beauty of creativity. If we all tried to copy each other, there would be nothing original left. I was talking to Sheridan Rose Shaw recently about the creative processes, and I said at the end, “Not many people would get what I just said.” She completely got it. IYKYK! Some will relate to this story, others won’t—and that’s okay.

I could break down my collection, point out where the inspiration came from, explain how I approached the colour, but I don’t want my process to steer someone off their own path. Every creative has their ideas, and outside influence can be overwhelming. Trust your team. Trust your vision. Let the collection evolve. Where my ideas started and where the collection ended up was very different— There were moments of doubt: Followed by bursts of excitement: That rollercoaster is part of the journey.

Remember, everyone sees the world differently. What inspires me won’t inspire others.

Why do we do it?

Every creative should ask themselves: Why am I entering awards? Is it for the title, brand deals, guest artist roles? Maybe for some it’s ego. For me, it’s my creative outlet and I love it. The day I stop loving it, is the day I will stop doing it.

My salon work fills me with pride—providing employment, career opportunities for my team, and helping clients look and feel their best. But photoshoots are my personal creative release

Seven finals, one night of three wins, with one collection.

I entered Colourist of the Year at the AHIA (previously Hair Expo) and for seven years in a row, I was a finalist. Then, BOOM this year I won three awards in one night with a single collection: Master Colourist of the Year, Collective Team of the Year with Dee Parker Attwood, and BTS Dream Team with Andrew O’Toole, Kylie O’Toole, and Catherine V. Some people may think it’s crazy to keep entering without winning, but I never saw it that way. In those seven years, Justin Pace won twice, Stevie English won four times , and Amber Bullock won last year.

Honestly did I think in any of those 7 years my collection should have won? No! This year did I think my collection should have won? For the first time, yes, I felt deep down that my collection should win. Now I don’t say that from a place of arrogance—it comes from being humble enough and respectful enough to those previous winners, to know that for seven years I knew my collection wasn’t the best there was.

As creatives, putting your work forward means accepting when someone else’s work is stronger. Collections are subjective. One judge might love it, another might not. You have to be okay with that. If we put our work forward to be judged, we must also accept that people aren’t going to like it or accept when someone else’s work is stronger. Yes, there will be times when you look at a collection and think, “How did that win”, you are allowed think that, you are allowed be pissed off but there’s also a humility required in this space. One of my collections was only a finalist for colour but won Master cutter of the year. Another collection didn’t win Australian Master Colourist but did win International Colourist of the year. Each competition and category have their own criteria, how each collection is viewed and what resonates with one judge will be different to the next.

The Changing Landscape of Awards

The awards process has shifted over time. Until last year, the Colourist category was unique: no extensions, no wigs— everything had to be on the model’s real hair. Submissions were weighted 50/50 between photographs and a written resume outlining industry contributions. Last year, the written component was removed, wigs and extensions were allowed, but the rule against digital colour manipulation remained. For me, sharing behind-the-scenes shots, especially of colour, is important. I want people to see the reality of the colour work— no editing trickery.

The Importance of Team

I’ve been asked if there was anything I did differently this year that led to these wins. The truth is this year I went all in — but I didn’t go in alone. I went in with a team that, for the first time in my career, I finally felt worthy of collaborating with. I know my strengths. Having the right team elevates everything, and this year I was lucky enough to work alongside Dee Parker- Attwood and Andrew O’Toole, as well as Catherine V and Kylie O’Toole.

But here’s the thing: it wasn’t just about asking them or paying their fee. A collection is never one person’s achievement — it’s always a team effort. You can’t just hire great people and expect them to create a winning collection for you. When creatives of this calibre put their name to a project, they’re investing themselves too. That means you have to show up, build trust, and be creatively aligned with them because this is when you will get the best and most out of it. For me, it was less about whether they would say yes, it was about could I contribute something of value alongside them. This year, I finally felt that sense of worthiness, and I think that’s what made all the difference. I am without a doubt a better creative because of this journey I went on this year.

A Journey Full of Obstacles

This year’s collection was far from smooth. I had everything organised—hair, prep, timing. Then Cyclone Alfred hit. Three massive trees fell on my house and property, forcing my family to leave. We had to close the salon and reschedule clients for four days, then day one of prep the salon had no power all which resulted in my prep time being slashed from seven days to two. I also had to post hair to Dee before airports closed. Most people would’ve cancelled. That wasn’t an option for me. Money can be made back—but people’s time, energy, and belief in you cannot. With some very wise words of — “I just need you to get your head in the game because we’ve got this” and “You just need to get on the plane”—I did.

Shoot day was the most fun I’ve ever had. Previous collections were amazing, but this was next level. Brilliant, generous humans collaborating, laughing, and creating— bucket-list moment.

What Winning Really Means

A trophy is beautiful, and yes, I wanted it. But the real reward is the relationships, connections, and trust built along the way. Winning can open doors—brand deals, guest artist opportunities, ambassador roles—but I had already built all of that without winning. By consistently showing my work, entering competitions, and contributing to the industry, I earned respect and opportunity. Perseverance builds respect. Showing up year after year—even without a win— demonstrates resilience and commitment. That’s what makes people want to work with you.

Winning as a team is another level entirely. Collections don’t happen alone. Having a collection recognised individually, as a collective, and as a team—this is unforgettable.

The people that have wanted to help me along the way is unbelievable. On awards night, the people by my side cheering me on and celebrating were there because of years of connection. That’s something you can’t buy, fake, or tell someone how to achieve.

Advice for Other Creatives

If I could offer guidance to anyone considering entering awards:

• Find your own process. Don’t copy someone else. Discover what inspires you and follow it.

• Respect the journey. You may not win the first time, or the seventh. That doesn’t mean failure. Every year is growth, every collection a stepping stone.

• Choose your team. Work with people who inspire, challenge, and elevate you.

• Stay humble. Respect when others’ work is stronger. Learn from it—it will strengthen you.

• Persevere. Trophies gather dust. What lasts is reputation, relationships, and the impact you make.

@kristiekesic_colourist