This article was previously published on GuelphToday.
A Guelph hair stylist has won first place in two categories for the prestigious 2024 International Beauty Industry Awards.
Julio Rodriguez of Valentini Hair Design was shocked to learn he’d won first place in not one but two categories – for best multi-tonal colour and best hair art in the 2024 IBI Awards, which saw artists from 65 countries compete in more than 100 categories for hair and makeup design.
“I’ve been competing for a long time… but this is my first time actually bringing home a trophy,” said Rodriguez, who has been in the industry for more than 30 years and competing for 12.
Rodriguez had been working on a multi-tonal collection this year with abstract colour-blocking, so the multi-tonal category was a perfect fit. The winning design, called “Peach Dream,” was one of his favourites.
But his other winning design, called “The Prioress," is one close to his heart.
“That one had a backstory behind it, because I grew up Catholic, and I wanted to do something that would be a little controversial, but still be beautiful. It’s hair art, and it was a really personal piece for me.”
It took weeks to finish, as he added in multiple layers of hair and spray adhesive to create the structure and mold it into shape.
His partner, Derrick Rutherford was also a finalist in the best high fashion category and a semi-finalist for the best wig category.
Artists submit photographs of their work online to be blindly judged by an independent judging council. Winners receive a hand-crafted and personalized IBI Award statuette – designed by the same people who made awards like the Golden Globes and Emmys. Finalists receive a certificate.
“This (competition) really pushes the envelope for hair artists and for makeup artists,” Rodriguez said. “It means a lot in our industry. It’s really just to have your name out there. There’s a lot of hairdressers in the world, but there’s only a few of us who actually compete worldwide at that level.”
You can see the full list of winners, finalists and semi-finalists here.
