This year when I was in Las Vegas for the annual buyers convention, also knows as Cosmoprof (or for the old school, B.B.S.I.), I was lucky enough to get a ticket to this years North American Hairstyling Awards. Thank you Mr. Reed. (ERGO’s Velectra Paramount are the only blow dryers that we use!)

The place was packed, I know that it’s in the same room as last year, but the atmosphere was totally different. The energy in the air was more festive and casual than last years presentation. Maybe I was more festive and casual than last year, who knows?!?The show started off with a presentation by Salon Gregory’s from Newport Beach, California. This is the home base for a big winner in years past, Dusty Simington. He also won Master Stylist of the Year this year with an ALL MALE entrant which I have to saw was really excellent. There is no denying the quality of work that he and photographer Babak create. The presentation was a bunch of Zig Zig Sputnik inspired post modern punk chicks wearing only body paint graffiti and skimpy skimpy micro thongs and boots. While it seems a little racy, it didn’t come across as trashy, although I do think that the hair was over shadowed by the lack of clothing.Award, award, award..Presentation number 2 was by Van Council. It was a Chinese Emperor/New Years dancing dragon type of image. I was way to far in the back to be able to see any of the hair but it was your standard fare when you think of Chinese presentations. Lots of bobs, shiny black hair. You know the routine. The fashions and visuals as a whole were breath taking and interesting. The music was well chosen, though I cannot remember now what it was. Good showing by Van Council and his team.Award, award, award…Jim Markham was given an award and half the crowd must have worked for Pureology and were screaming the entire time for Philip Wilson and Jim Markham. This one chick 2 rows behind me was giving me shrills down my spine with her obnoxious banter. Ugh.. Why do I have to sit in front of those crazy, drunk bitches? Lord I apologize…Speaking of sitting behind me, well actually he was in the seat in front of me talking to Kiara Bailey from Blow Out until he got bored of her (I’m just assuming here, I wouldn’t get bored of Kiara trust me… anyway) then moved behind me with the Pureology crowd, was Tyson from this seasons Blow Out. You know, the one who ruffled Tabitha’s feathers from day one. He seemed like a cool fellow to me. When he was behind me, I told him that Theresa (one of my stylist) was in LOVE with him and was a HUGE fan of his and if he would be so kind to make her happy by allowing me to have a pict for her. He said “sure” and was very accommodating. Thank you, Tyson.

Final presentation was another Salon Gregory’s. I don’t remember what they did. Oh yeah. It was another Zig Zig Sputnik show with a little bit of Ratt/Motley Crew 80’s heavy metal hair band thrown in. The first presentation was more innovative and unique than the second one, not that it was bad.The biggest highlight of the evening (other than having Ira Sage saying “hi” to me as I walked in) was my friend Bennie Pollard winning the Contemporary Classic category. When he went on stage to accept his award, he was a natural, it was as if he BELONGED up there. His words were heart felt and sincere and natural. I’ve always liked Bennie and had a lot of respect for the man, but this was just deserts for him. He deserved it. Congratulations Bennie!

I just got back from Las Vegas. I was attending the Cosmoprof show and I went to the North American Hairstyling Awards presentation.First off let me say CONGRATULATIONS to my friend Bennie Pollard for winning his second NAHA. This one he won in the category of Contemporary Classic. Bennie was gracious and motivating in his acceptance speech and I’m proud to call him a friend!Secondly, this trade show is more about the distribution and manufacturing side of the Trade. This is the show you will go to if you want to manufacturer your own flat irons or blow dryers or you want to find a new product line (both skin, and hair or spa) to distribute in your area. Pretty boring stuff unless your in that side of the business. There is not much going on as far as hair goes.One booth that I’ve seen the group before, but have not had much time to interact with was the VERN group. They are a crew of girls from Taiwan selling, manufacturing and distributing their own line of scissors. The scissors they use are stackable, meaning that you can take up to six or more scissors and stack them together and they click together so you can use them as one scissor with multiple blades. You can stack thinning shears, or straight blades or any combination you choose.You can check out a video of theirs here on YouTube.

Their technique is very free form, but it is not without rock solid technical skill and training. You can see years of developed skill in their cutting. I admire what they do and one of the girls has a huge crush on me, but don’t worry, I wont let it go to my head. ; )I’ll post picts in the photo forum tomorrow.You can check out more VERN videos on YouTube here.