Spa+Clinic Team In a night of glitz, glamour and all things 1920’s the Sydney International Spa and Beauty Expo pulled out all the stops to deliver the industry an unforgettable night.
Taking place at Oxford Street’s famous Slide Lounge, the inaugural Beauty Evening Gala transported guests back in time to an era of flapper dresses, prohibition cocktails style and decadence.
From lavish surrounds to aerial acrobats, the industry frocked up to celebrate the worlds of spa and beauty in expert flair
In a night that provided more than just entertainment, the Gala Beauty Evening acknowledged the work of some of the industry’s top entrepreneurs, business owners and make-up talent for their contribution and impact on the Australian spa and beauty landscape in a series of accolades presented byDebbie Evans, Managing Director Reed Exhibitions Australia.
Five prestigious awards, spanning both industry brands and personalities, awarded on the night included:
Hall of Fame – International Beauty Supplies: With a 25-year history, this dedicated company was inducted into the Beauty Hall of Fame for its long-spanning service to the professional beauty industry in working with and meeting the needs of professional therapists. Today the company distributes well-known professional brands such as OPI Nail Care, St Tropez, Depileve, California Mango and Anesi.
Hall of Fame – Professional Beauty Solutions: An Australian family owned business that has assisted countless small business owners with targeted and strategic business solutions to achieve success. Providing their salons with on demand education, strategy & training – Professional Beauty Solutions started from humble beginnings 16 years ago, and today stands as an industry leader with multiple world-class brands.
Hall of Fame – Rona Bowrey: The first personality inducted into the Hall of Fame, launched the inaugural International Beauty Expo in October 1993. With a background of over 25 years’ experience in international conference and event management, she along with her late husband set out to create a trade show which reflected the professionalism and glamour of the salon based beauty and spa industry. Today the Expo stands as a truly world class event that has become established as a barometer for the business of spa and beauty. The award saw her honoured as the Sydney International Spa and Beauty Expo celebrates its 20th anniversary for 2013.
Kirien Withers, Publisher Spa Australasia and Australian of the Year Ita Buttrose, AO, OBE
Hall of Fame – Kirien Withers: Known in Australia as the Spa Guru Kirien created the first directory of professional beauty products for Australia and New Zealand The Beauty trade guide 20 years ago. This publication became the bi- monthly magazine we know and love as Professional Beauty. Her passion for wellness saw her put her skills behind the fledgling spa industry and in the late 90’s with the intermedia group, launched the industry bible Spa Australasia magazine which she is still Publisher of today. In 1999 she became the founding president of the Australasian Spa Association, served on its board for 8 years, and is now an honorary life member. Her next Magazine was Spa Life which was awarded a Bell magazine of the year award on just its second edition presented by by Ita Buttrose. The first spa search engine SpaEscapes.com.au. was also a Spa Guru initiative. Kirien has consulted throughout her career to government, suppliers and small business. She remains a passionate advocate and go to resource for all things spa, beauty, medi and wellness.
Hall of Fame – Rae Morris: Known widely as the most influential makeup artist working in Australia today, the next inductee boasts the titles of bestselling author, educator and four times Australian Makeup Artist of the Year. As the longest serving Makeup Director in the world for L’Oreal Paris, after 9 years in the role, she has a long spanning breadth of work that has seen her work her make-up expertise on the likes of Cate Blanchett, Jessica Biel, Pink, Hugh Jackman, Miranda Kerr and Catherine McNeil. Collaborating with some of the world’s leading photographers, she has worked on editorial covers, fashion and beauty spreads in magazines including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Rolling Stone and In Style.
Industry Icon Award – 2013 Australian of the year Ita Buttrose, AO,OBE: Last but not least, the evening’s guest of honour, Ita Buttrose, was recognised for the contribution she’s made, not only to the beauty category, but also to the lives of women across the country. A legendary media editor, businesswoman, best-selling author, and committed community and welfare contributor – she has served as a source of inspiration for women everywhere. Twice voted Australia’s most admired woman, she was the youngest ever Editor of ‘The Australian Women’s Weekly’, the founding editor of ‘Cleo’, the first woman to ever edit a major metropolitan newspaper in Australia as Editor-in-Chief of the ‘Sydney Daily & Sunday Telegraphs’, and the first woman director of News Limited. Today, she is the current National President of Alzheimer’s Australia, Patron of the Macular Disease Foundation, and Emeritus Director of Arthritis Australia. Her outstanding industry contributions this year also saw her awarded as 2013 Australian of the Year.
