Scott Sloan Wins Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2026

Updated July 2026 — Sloans of Lane Cove, Sydney

We are absolutely thrilled to announce some VERY exciting news! On Monday 29th June, Sloans founder Scott Sloan walked away from the 2026 AHIA Creative Gala at ICC Sydney with the biggest award of the night- AHIA Creative Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2026. It’s a win that means everything to Scott to be the named best hairdresser in Australia, but also to our team, and to every client who has been part of the Sloans journey.

What Is the AHIA Creative Awards?

The AHIA Creative Awards is now in its sixth year, and it’s the hair industry’s most celebrated platform for creativity and excellence across Australia and New Zealand. Created by Mocha Group, the leading force in hair, beauty, and barber media, awards, and events, the evening brings together everyone from established icons to the brightest new stars in the industry. Three extraordinary main stage shows on the night delivered glamour, inspiration, and innovation in equal measure. And at the end of the night, Scott took home the title that every Australian hairdresser wants most.

What Did Scott Win For?

Scott’s winning entry was his collection KANSO, and it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before.

Born from a reaction to noise, excess, and over-stylisation, KANSO seeks out the quiet moments where hair can exist in its purest form. Kanso is the Japanese concept of stripping away excess to find beauty, purity, and simplicity. It embraces vulnerability by removing all distraction and asks a single, confronting question: what remains when there is truly nowhere to hide?

Every element that didn’t serve the hair was removed. Not because restraint is easy, but because working at this level demands absolute confidence in craft. The result is deeply considered, technically precise work, executed entirely by hand.

Shot in tight crop and black and white, the imagery strips away colour, distance, and embellishment. Light and shadow replace decoration, exposing both the model and the work to full scrutiny. What remains is the cut, the texture, and the quiet mastery behind it. Authenticity in its most powerful form with quietly extraordinary hair, with nothing to hide behind, and nothing it needs to hide.

What the Industry Is Saying

Mocha Group Founder Linda Woodhead said it best:

“Scott took home the night’s most coveted Australian title, and it’s a win that’s been thoroughly earned. His talent, drive and relentless pursuit of excellence are exactly what this award represents. He now stands among our most respected industry ambassadors, setting the benchmark for professionalism and innovation in hairdressing. Huge congratulations Scott!”

We couldn’t agree more.

What This Means for Sloans Clients

When your hairdresser is officially the best hairdresser in Australia, it changes the standard of what’s possible in the chair. Every technique, every cut, every collection Scott creates feeds directly into how our team approaches their work at Sloans. This win belongs to every client who has trusted us with their hair and we don’t take that lightly.

Whether you’re a long-time regular or thinking about visiting for the first time, there’s never been a better moment to experience Sloans. Explore our services and come and see us at Lane Cove.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Scott Sloan win at the AHIA Creative Awards 2026?
Scott Sloan won AHIA Creative Australian Hairdresser of the Year 2026, the most prestigious individual award in the Australian and New Zealand hair industry, for his collection KANSO, a black and white editorial series celebrating simplicity, restraint, and quiet mastery in hairdressing.

Where is Sloans located?
Sloans is located in Lane Cove, Sydney. Book an appointment and come and experience what Australia’s best hairdresser and his team can do for your hair.

Come and Celebrate With Us at Sloans, Lane Cove

This one is for the whole Sloans family, team and clients alike. Thank you for being part of the journey. Call us to book on T. 02 9420 4880 and let’s celebrate together!