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Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Austin Latino Hair Stylist Set to Make Hair History at 2025 North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA)
Four-time North American Hairstyling Awards winner, Allen Ruiz returns with dual nods, representing Austin and the Latino community on hair's biggest stage. 'Winning again would not only honor my creative evolution—it would affirm every risk I've taken to elevate this craft. It's deeply personal and incredibly inspiring.'— Allen Ruiz AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES, May 27, 2025 / / -- Allen Ruiz, acclaimed salon owner and stylist based in Austin, Texas, has earned two nominations in this year's 36th Annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) — equivalent to the 'Academy Awards of Hair.' The ceremony takes place on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Chapin Theater in Orlando, FL, from 8–10 PM. A four-time NAHA champion—twice winning Hairstylist of the Year (2007, 2013), earning Salon Team of the Year (2011), and most recently Master Stylist of the Year (2023)—Ruiz returns this year competing in both Master Hairstylist of the Year and Hairstylist of the Year. Master Hairstylist is by invitation only: NAHA invited 100 elite stylists to submit, ultimately narrowing the field to just five finalists per category. Hairstylist of the Year . This marks Ruiz's second time being named a finalist in NAHA's top two categories—an honor achieved by only a select few in the award's 36-year history. His first dual nomination came in 2016, though he left that year without a win. 'Being recognized again in both categories is incredibly meaningful,' says Ruiz. 'In 2016, I was truly honored just to be nominated, and I feel the same way now. Of course, I'd love to bring one home this time, but more than anything, I'm proud of the work and grateful to be part of a community that continues to inspire me.' For Master Hairstylist of the Year, Ruiz's entry, 'Poise,' draws on the refined silhouette of 1990s supermodels, haute couture doll-like artistry, and modern cinematic finesse. His 'Hairstylist of the Year' collection, 'Red Flux,' merges sharp precision with textured energy—short cuts pulsate in contrasting depths of black and fiery red. 'NAHA has grown into so much more than an awards ceremony—it's a launchpad that pushes me to go beyond the salon chair and the lens,' Allen Ruiz reflects. 'This year, a win would be especially meaningful. After decades of passion, dedication, and growth, being chosen again would not only honor my creative evolution—it would affirm every risk I've taken to elevate this craft. It's deeply personal and incredibly inspiring.' About Allen Ruiz With over three decades of experience, Allen Ruiz is a global leader in hair design, runway styling, and editorial creativity. As Global Artistic Director for Hair Styling at Aveda, Ruiz has collaborated with fashion titans like Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Rodarte, and Christian Siriano, and studied under legends including Antoinette Beenders, Guido, and Odile Gilbert. His work has featured prominently in Vanity Fair, Harper's Bazaar, W, Shape, and American Salon. In 2007, Latina Magazine named him one of the 'Top 10 Latino Hairdressers in America.' Ruiz also received the 2011 Canadian Mirror Award for 'International Hairstylist of the Year.' His Austin-based salons have been honored by Salon Today as one of the Top 200 Salons in the U.S. Allen Ruiz is a globally acclaimed hairdresser celebrated for his visionary artistry and award-winning imagery. With over 30 years of experience, he has mastered the craft of hairdressing, earning a reputation as one of the industry's most influential creatives. Driven by an enduring passion for fashion, Allen's career has taken him across the globe, where he trained with legendary runway and editorial stylists such as Antoinette Beenders, Guido Palau, and Odile Gilbert. His creative touch has shaped the runway looks of top fashion houses, including Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Cynthia Rowley, Christian Siriano, Rodarte, and Charlotte Ronson. Allen's editorial and campaign work has been featured in premier consumer and industry publications, including Vanity Fair, W, Shape, Harper's Bazaar, and American Salon. For nearly three decades, Allen has partnered with Aveda, currently serving as the brand's Global Artistic Director for Hair Styling. Renowned for his ability to merge fashion-forward concepts with educational excellence, he has served as a creative director for both Fortune 500 companies and emerging brands. His accolades include being named one of Latina Magazine's 'Top 10 Latino Hairdressers in America' in 2007. A four-time Canadian Mirror Awards nominee, Allen won 'International Hairstylist of the Year' in 2011. He is also a multi-time North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) nominee, receiving honors for 'Hairstylist of the Year' (2007, 2013), 'Salon Team of the Year' (2011), and 'Master Stylist' (2023). Based in Austin, Texas, Allen is the founder of the award-winning Ruiz Salons, recognized by Salon Today Magazine as one of the Top 200 Salons in the United States. Discover more about Allen Ruiz and his salons at Amber Soletti Intellectual Blonde Branding & PR email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
North Alabama Homebuilding Academy gets $500,000 grant
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A Huntsville non-profit focused on offering hands-on skills training for people looking to start a career in residential construction, recently got a big boost. The North Alabama Homebuilding Association (NAHA), is one of only 15 non-profits across the country, to be a recent recipient of a Lowe's Foundation Gables Grant. NAHA received a $500,000 grant. Alabama service member comes home and surprises his kids 'We're just absolutely ecstatic about it,' said Larry Durham, the owner of Durham Service Company and the Chairman of the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy Foundation. Durham explained that the grant money will go towards expanding NAHA's workforce development program throughout the state of Alabama. 'It's going to be used as seed money to start up more satellite programs around the state,' Durham said. NAHA offers classes and courses to train people who are interested in pursuing a career in the residential construction industry. Durham explained that there's a major shortage of new people joining the industry. Muscle Shoals welcomes new fire chief 'The average age of a journeyman plumber, electrician, carpenter, HVAC technician in state of Alabama is 57 years old,' Durham said. 'For every five the industry is losing, we're only gaining one back. The demand has never been greater for skilled construction services, and we're trying to do our best to rebuild that,' The Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants program has a similar goal. 'When we talk to our professionals out in the field, 9 out of 10 tell us, that they have trouble finding the workers they need,' Director of the Lowe's Foundation Betsy Conway said. 'So, being able to address this worker shortage crisis through these local programs like NAHA is really critical.' The Lowe's Foundation has pledged to donate $50 million dollars to organizations that support training programs in carpentry, construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and appliance repair. So far, the foundation says it has awarded $34 Million in Gable Grants towards that goal. Durham told News 19 that working with the Lowe's Foundation on the grant was a great process. He said NAHA originally applied for a $250,000 grant, but that quickly changed. 'What was astounding, is when Lowe's called us back and asked us if we could use an additional $250,000,' said Durham. That doubled their grant to a total of $500,000. Conway said the foundation was so impressed with NAHA's work that they had to double the funding. 'When I was on the call and NAHA started walking through all of their plans, the foundation board, which is a part of this process, was so impressed by their plans for future growth that after the call, we actually decided to go back to not and say, 'look, if we were able to provide you with more funding, what more could you do?'' Conway said. 'This expansion plan came back and we are just thrilled to be able to make this happen.' 'I think what NAHA is doing in northern Alabama, how they're now going to be able to replicate their program across the entire state, is a best practice that I hope many will replicate' Conway added. Durham told News 19 that NAHA plans to work with the state homebuilders association and other partners to get the ball rolling on expanding programming statewide. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
