Editorial excellence 2025 presented by Industry Collective
THE BRIEF
For this latest Industry Collective competition brief, we invite you to create one strong editorial image that adheres to a specific editorial brief set by leading New Zealand fashion and creative director, Dan Ahwa.
Dan’s editorial styling work has appeared in a range of publications both locally and internationally including Viva (The New Zealand Herald), Fashion Quarterly, Ensemble, Vogue Australia, British Vogue and GQ. Dan’s styling work also extends to commercial work, styling for a range of clients including Adidas, Polo Ralph Lauren and Cloudy Bay, along with styling a range of famous faces including Teeks, Lorde, Parris Goebel, Dan Carter, Mark Ronson, Troye Sivan and more.
www.danahwa.com
THE JUDGE
Matt Benns is one of New Zealand’s leading names in hair having worked previously at Stephen Marr Salon before relocating to New York in 2016. He’s worked under the tutelage of mentor Jawara Wauchope and branched out as a session stylist in 2020, cementing Matt as one of the world’s most exciting names in hair since. He’s worked with a range of famous faces, leading fashion + beauty brands and publications including WSJ, iD Magazine (with Naomi Campbell nevertheless), Vogue, The Face, Purple, Acne, Glossier; along with creating memorable hair looks on the likes of Nadia Lee Cohen, Paloma Elsesser, Kim Kardashian, Natasha Lyonne and Pamela Anderson. But of course, one of Matt’s biggest clients is the pop-cultural iconography of Grammy-winner Charli XCX, who Matt works with closely. His innovative approach to hair and understanding of fashion makes Matt the perfect judge for this year’s competition.
THE BRIEF: 1
THE BRIEF: 1
CATEGORY: ESTABLISHED
Stylists 5+ years of experience are eligible to enter.
THE BRIEF: FINE ARTS
Create one strong editorial image that showcase your ability to balance a strong hair look in harmony with thoughtful styling, casting, make-up and photography. The concept should look at the idea behind sculptural shapes that are inspired by culture, art and the natural world. Attention to detail and technical process is key here, along with a confident understanding of hair texture. Your entry should include 300 words max on how you fufilled the brief through your creative vision, the approach to the hair look and how it works in harmony with the overall imagery created. A 1 page mood board of references is also required.
THE STORY:
Consider your model and the story conveyed through your hairdo and chosen styling. The beauty of sculptural hair is their sense of power and structure. Showcase clearly what story you are trying to convey through the use of structured hairstyles to tell the story of a contemporary art gallerist whose hair balances both manmade sculpture with the organic shapes of the natural world. The hairdo shouldn’t be defined to a specific era - a contemporary interpretation is key. The main message is this person’s personal style is a collection of their passion for the arts, their sophisticated taste and a uniquely individual elegance.
Key stylistic words: Suiting, bourgeoisie, decadence, classicism.
POINTS / 100
60 points: Collection. Technical approach, creativity of looks and cohesiveness.
40 points: Overall storytelling, mood board + commitment to the brief. How the hair is styled and balanced with chosen styling, casting, make-up and photography
FINE ARTS
THE BRIEF:2
THE BRIEF:2
CATEGORY: EMERGING
Stylists under 4 years of experience are eligible to enter.
THE BRIEF: THE UNDERGROUND
Create one strong editorial image that showcase your ability to balance a strong hair look in harmony with thoughtful styling, casting, make-up and photography. The concept should look at the idea hair rooted in street and club culture with respect to the past - but not limited by time and space. Attention to detail and technical process is key here, along with a confident understanding of hair texture. Your entry should include 300 words max on how you fufilled the brief through your creative vision, the approach to the hair look and how it works in harmony with the overall imagery created. The hairdos should all feel different yet complementary to one another. A 1 page mood board of references is also required.
THE STORY:
Consider who your models are and the story they are conveying through your hairdos and chosen styling. Like a digital nomad traversing through a night club of the future, your collection should be free to explore your passion for the avant-garde and the streets - but with respect to technical details. While this might feel like a chance to create freely, the lesson here is to know how to edit your ideas. You will be judged on how you show creativity and imagination but also how you execute the idea with a level of discernment. Question your taste levels, and know when to balance your hair look with respect to your complementary elements of styling, photography, make-up and casting - but always bring it back to the feeling of the underground. Key stylistic words: Metal, leather, fluorescence.
THE UNDERGROUND
POINTS / 100
60 points: Collection. Technical approach, creativity of looks and cohesiveness.
40 points: Overall storytelling, mood board + commitment to the brief. How the hair is styled and balanced with chosen styling, casting, make-up and photography
DEADLINE
DEADLINE
Please submit your entry by APRIL 28 2025
RESULTS
Finalists will be announced MAY 5 Winners will be announced MAY 18
PUBLICATION / MEDIA PARTNER
The winning entries will be published on
Ensemble Magazine Ensemblemagazine.co.nz / @ensemblemagazine
Launched in August 2020 by Zoe Walker Ahwa and Rebecca Wadey, the online magazine is the go-to for impartial editorial, social commentary and inclusive style.
Editor Zoe is the former editor of Fashion Quarterly and associate editor of the Herald’s Viva magazine. Partnerships director Rebecca has 20+ years experience in fashion, wellness and beauty publishing and marketing, having worked with companies including Kate Sylvester, Metro, Esteé Lauder and Bobbi Brown.
Terms & Conditions for the Hair Festival Prize:
Eligibility: The prize is open to New Zealand residents aged 18 years or older at the time of entry. Entrants must be able to travel from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch to Sydney for the Hair Festival.
Prize Details: The prize consists of one return flight from either Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch to Sydney for the winner to attend the Hair Festival. The flights will be scheduled for the 29th of June 2025 (departing) and returning on the 30th of June 2025 (arriving). Exact flight details and times are subject to availability and the airline’s schedule.
Non-Transferable: The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be exchanged for cash or any other alternatives. The winner must be the person named on the flight ticket.
Flights: The winner’s flight will be booked from one of the following airports: Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. Flights from other airports will not be covered. The winner must make their own way to the departure airport at their own cost.
Accommodation: Accommodation is not included in the prize. The winner will be responsible for their own accommodation and any associated costs, including meals, transportation, and other personal expenses during their stay in Sydney.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is not included in the prize. The winner is encouraged to obtain their own travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations, delays, or other issues during their travel.
Travel Restrictions: The winner must travel on the specified dates: 29th June (departure) and 30th June (return). Any changes to these travel dates will be at the winner's own expense and subject to availability.
Responsibility for Travel Arrangements: The winner is responsible for all other travel arrangements, including current passport, travel documents, transportation to and from the airport in both Auckland (or Wellington/Christchurch) and Sydney, any accommodation bookings, and any incidental costs.
Winner Notification: The winner will be notified via email or phone within 7 days of the close of the competition. If the winner does not respond within 7 days, the promoter reserves the right to select another winner.
Publicity: By accepting the prize, the winner agrees to participate in reasonable publicity and promotional activities relating to the competition, including the use of their name, photograph, and/or voice in marketing materials, without further compensation.
Liability: The promoter is not responsible for any losses, damages, or injuries suffered by the winner as a result of accepting and using the prize. The winner assumes all risk and liability associated with the prize. The promoter is not liable for any unforeseen delays, cancellations, or events outside of its control.
General Conditions: The promoter reserves the right to cancel or modify the competition or these terms and conditions at any time without notice. Any decisions made by the promoter are final and binding.
Compliance with Laws: This competition is subject to all applicable laws and regulations. Any dispute or issue not covered by these Terms & Conditions will be resolved at the discretion of the promoter.
Acceptance of Terms: By entering the competition, the winner agrees to comply with these Terms & Conditions.