The American Crew All-Star Challenge is widely considered one of the top men’s grooming competitions in the world and this is the first time that two winners share the biggest honor. The challenge focuses on the art of men’s grooming – creativity, technique and one’s interpretation of masculinity in the modern world. Fourteen international finalists received an all-expense-paid trip to the competition finals in New York City, where they were challenged to combine their expertise in art, style, and technique to deliver their ultimate interpretation of the American Crew man during an intense working session at the renowned Milk Studios. Then their creations were photographed by legendary hairstylist/photographer and founder of American Crew, David Raccuglia.

Thousands of stylists from all over the world entered the competition, with the following country finalists chosen to represent on the global stage in New York: Blade Pullman, Australia; Maria Ivanova, Bulgaria; Sandra Perovic, Canada; Fabien Tonicello, France; Desiree Hammer, Germany; Chris O’Riordan, Ireland; Giuseppe Messina, Italy; Pieter-Theo Zuurbier, Netherlands; Gamal Abdel Galvez Gonzales, Peru; Tiago Pinto, Portugal; Mark Markov, Russia; Pablo Perez, Spain; Gemma Willock-Smith, UK; Bohdan Vasylevskiy, Ukraine; Emma Jankowski, USA.

The All-Star Challenge award presentation has taken place tonight during American Crew’s 25th Anniversary celebration at the famous Altman Building in New York City, an elegant, memorable and exciting venue. The program included a fantastic look & learn session and an awe-inspiring runway show led by American Crew’s Artistic Team. Founded in 1994, American Crew is the brainchild of barber and photographer David Raccuglia, who brought his expertise behind both the barber chair and the camera to developing a collection of grooming products specifically for men and the stylists they trust.

The global judging panel for the competition was: Sandra Nygaard, Stylist & Men’s Fashion Journalist; Sergi Bancells, International Editorial Director, ESTETICA MAGAZINE; Vitaly Pimenov, 2017-2018 All-Star Challenge Global Champion; Paul Wilson, Global Artistic Director, American Crew; and Phoenix Thomson, Senior Education Manager, American Crew.

“The level of talent that showcases their skill in The All-Star Challenge each year continuously elevates the standard of men’s grooming to an exciting new level of artistry,” said David Raccuglia, founder of American Crew. “With American Crew celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2019, it’s refreshing to see these finalists bring their individual cultures, creativity, and vision to an industry that continues to thrive. As clients’ expectations evolve, these stylists are leading the charge in the future of grooming by upholding brilliance in their craft and an understanding of connection behind the chair.”

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The Chirn Park local was awarded equal first place alongside American delegate Emma Jankowski – marking the first joint-win in the competition’s 20 year history.

This year’s All Star Challenge finale also coincided with the brand’s 25th anniversary celebrations, which took place in the home of American Crew: New York City.

“This year’s event not only marked American Crew’s 25th anniversary, but also the first time the judging panel couldn’t decide on just one winner for the All-Star Challenge,” said Gillian Gorman Round, Global General Manager of American Crew.

“The two winning styles from Blade Pullman and Emma Jankowski were so different but struck a unique balance, showcasing what we saw as the heritage, present and future of the American Crew man.”

Pullman and Jankowski were chosen from a group of 14 qualifying stylists, each of whom was narrowed down from thousands of All Star Challenge entries.

The finale took place over a two-day photo shoot inside New York’s iconic MILK studios, with finalists working alongside industry experts to showcase their best cut and style, before capture by a team of American Crew photographers including brand founder, David Raccuglia.

Through a blind judging process, the winning photos were awarded using a points system that scored on creativity, technical ability and a true portrayal of the American Crew brand.

“For a stylist that is just starting out in his career, it has been amazing to be around all of the talented All-Star Challenge contestants,” said Blade Pullman, 2019 All-Star Challenge Global Champion.

This experience has truly instilled in me the culture of the barbering community and how impactful this competition is for our industry.”

Visit https://www.americancrew.com

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The five-year-old’s mane of hair, grown to look like the Norse god Thor is no more after he got his first haircut on Wednesday night.

His curly locks were cut off ahead of his first day at school today, when he starts at Emmanuel College.

The young boy agreed to finally get his hair cut for school on the condition his hair was donated to charity.

Izaiah’s mum Melissa said the young looker had moved past some early jitters to enjoy his haircut experience.

“We thought there would be tears because he was really nervous beforehand and a bit scared but now he is full of smiles,” she said.

Once he sat down in the chair he as giggling and before the scissors touched his hair he told us he was ‘more than ready’ for it.

“Izaiah loves his new look and has already been experimenting with it and standing in front of the mirror.”

Izaiah’s hair will be donated to charity Variety and will now be used to make wigs for children who have lost their own because of medical conditions.

Ms van Niekerk said her son was already trying now new styles.

“He has spent a lot of time checking himself out in the mirror and brushing his hair into different styles like brushing it into a mowhawk but hasn’t got enough hair for one yet,” she said.

“He is our own Derek Zoolander.”

The post Molendinar boy Izaiah Smith gets his curly locks of hair cut for charity and loves his do appeared first on Luigi And Sons Barbershop.