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Submission deadline: June 14th, 2024
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What are the VZN Awards?

The VZN awards are a Canadian image-based competition for beauty professionals and artists across the globe, creating a new standard for industry awards. We have curated unique entrance categories that will allow high calibre artists to showcase their creative capabilities. Categories will include hair, makeup, music, fashion, dance, photography, and visual arts. The VZN awards will be an ‘Oscar-like’ event that brings creatives together to celebrate, recognize and acknowledge extraordinaryVZN. Be the first to proudly be recognized as a ‘VZNary’ within the beauty industry.

Entrants will be judged by a diverse panel of carefully chosen, world renowned experts who are extremely successful at their crafts. Following mutually understood and published criteria, every entry will be judged on a 1-10 scale (10 being the highest score). The top scorers from the first round of judging will proceed to the next round, where the winners will be chosen.

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Read our rules and regulations

Rules & Regulations

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Submit your work on our webstite

Submit work

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Wait for your confirmation and good luck!

Rules and Regulations

  • SUBMISSION FEE $100.00
  •  Entrants must be artists in the following professions: hair, makeup, music, fashion, dance, photography, and visual arts. The competition is open to all artists globally.
  • Artists may enter into multiple categories. However, only one entry is allowed per category annually. However, you can enter another category with same collection.
  • All participating stylists must be credited accordingly. Please be sure to include all artists’ names, roles and applicable handles.
  • Submissions must be in digital format uploaded online. All images must be the same orientation i.e., all horizontal or all vertical (with the exception of the photography categories).
  • Entrants must submit high resolution photographs, as well as the original, unmodified photographs of their models. All submissions must contain original unmodified images.
  • Submitted work must have been completed at most 12 months prior to the submission deadline.
  • A max two-year win in any category is permitted. A category one-year grace period must be taken for all double winners.
  • Collaboration work cannot be entered twice in the same category by different artist
  • Each submission must contain three different models
  • Any entries that do not meet standard requirements they will disqualified.
  • ALL FINALISTS WILL RECEIVE ONE FREE TICKET TO ATTEND THE VZN AWARDS

New categories alert

Photographer of the year (Nomination)

PHOTY

This honor is given to a photographer who captures without constraint. An individual who consistently shatters boundaries, embraces challenges, and inspires the industry to transcend current norms. A visionary leader who comprehends the dynamics and essence of diverse photographic subjects. This individual must embody creative ingenuity, set trends, and pioneer new artistic directions. All nominees must have a proven track record as award-winning photographers.

Creative Concept (People)

CCPPL

Must submit a collection of three images that express creativity amongst people.

Creative Concept (Object, Place or Thing)

CCOPT

Must submit a collection of three images that express creativity including objects, places or things.

Video transformation

VT

This category allows for barbers, stylists and make-up artists to submit a video with the best transformation - including hair, make up, clothing and music. Video must show the complete transformation of a model subject. Video must include a portion of the entire process. Before, during and final work. Video should be maximum 30 seconds; minimum 10 seconds.

Lifetime awards

Joan Harrison Award (nomination required)

JH

This honour is given to an industry leader (GM, Director, Sales) who has a positive voice, gives equal opportunity, who has created change and has VZN and insight to the future success of our industry.

Last year's category winner:

Sabino Di Tacchio Award (nomination required)

SD

This honour is given to an award-winning stylist who creates without limitation. An individual who continues to break boundaries, challenge themselves, and push the industry to see past current trends. An artistic leader who understands the movement and structure of all hair types. This individual must be a creative thinker, trend setter and innovator. All nominated individuals must be previously award-winning stylists.

Last year's category winner:
Nicole Pede

Educator of the year (nomination required)

EOTY

This honour is given to an educator who love for the industry is greater than the love for one’s self. Who has dedicated their career to aid in the advancement of others, who teaches until you learn. Shares without reservation and leads by example. An individual who is humble, yet fierce and has chosen to be a part of reinventing the beauty industry making small and big changes in lives of everyone whom path they cross.

Last year's category winner:

Submission categories

Barber of the Year (nomination required)

BOTY

A barber that excels within the barbering community, while doing their part to educate and uplift the current and future generation of barbers. This individual has mastered the art of barbering with both scissor and clipper cutting. A trend setter and industry game changer; A barber who understands both the business and creative sides of our business.

Last year's category wrinner:
Lukas Press

Multicultural Barbering

MB

Must submit three looks on a diverse selection of models with multiple hair types.

Last year's category wrinner:

Men’s Long Hairstyling

MLH

Must submit three looks of current, past or future trends with at least shoulder length hair with scissors. medium to short cuts i.e.: scissor over comb fade, waves.

Last year's category wrinner:

Men’s Clipper Cutting

MCC

Must submit three looks achieved only with clippers. i.e.: high-top fade, low bald fade, one level fade.

Last year's category wrinner:

New Barber (Under 3 Years)

NB

Must be a working barber for under three years. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models.

Last year's category wrinner:

Student Barber

SB

Must be an active student or apprentice for under 1 year. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models.

Last year's category wrinner:

Braids & Fades

BF

Must submit three looks with a combination of braids and fade. Extensions and hair pieces permitted. Three different models (with option for collaboration)

Last year's category wrinner:

Stylist of the Year (nomination)

SOTY

An artistic leader who understands the movement and structure of all hair types. This individual believes with education all things are possible. An individual with an exceptional understanding of beauty industry concepts and how trends develop. A master of their tools, displaying excellent cutting and styling techniques.

Last year's category wrinner:
Michelle Oliver

Avant Garde Artist

AVS

Submit three looks that demonstrate fantasy work. Physical and digital exaggerations are permitted. Collaboration permitted.

Last year's category wrinner:
Brayden Pelletier

New Stylist

NS

Must be a working stylist for under three years. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models.

Last year's category wrinner:

Student Talent

ST

Must be an active student or apprentice for under 1 year. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models Must be a working stylist for over 7 years. Submit a themed collection, work that tells a story that can been seen through hair, make up and clothing. Patron can enter three looks of their choice, three different models. • Eastern Stylist(ECS) • Central Stylist (CCS) • Western Stylist (WCS) • Quebec Stylist (QCS) • Ontario stylist (OCS)

Last year's category wrinner:

Colourist of the Year

COTY

This honour is given to a stylist who blends, mixes and paints. An individual who continues to break boundaries within the colour world, challenge themselves, and push the industry to see past the current colour trends. An artistic leader who understands the colour laws and how to break it. One who understands colour on all hair types, who mentors and teaches above and beyond expectations.

Last year's category wrinner:
Quinn Enright

Multicultural Colourist

MTC

Submit three looks demonstrating outstanding colour ability. Dimension, foiling, colour blocking, Balayage on a diverse selection of models on multiple hair types.

Last year's category wrinner:

Multicultural Artist of the year (nomination required)

MAOTY

This honour is given to an individual who has infinite knowledge on all hair types. An artist who can change an manipulate all hair displaying the many characteristic and beauty of all hair types have. An artist who can cut, color and style according to hair needs. An artist who can truly showcase the beauty in differences.

Last year's category wrinner:

Natural hair artist (afro)

NHA

Submit three looks demonstrating the ability to manipulate and style natural afro hair texture. Patrons are to displaying the true culture and beauty of afro hair. No hair pieces permitted, extensions, weaves or clip ins. This can include colour and accessories.

Last year's category wrinner:

Texture artist (change of texture)

TA

Submit three looks demonstrating the manipulation of any hair type creating texture. This can include colour and accessories, extensions, weaves or clip ins etc.

Last year's category wrinner:
Sharday Walker

Extensions specialist of the year (nomination required)

ESOTY

This honour is given to an individual who continues to break boundaries within the extension world. This individual knows the meaning of a true transformation. An artistic leader who understands how to extend the beauty within hair. An innovator to the craft, making small changes and creating a big difference. (Before and after shoots required)

Last year's category wrinner:
Sharon Mudavanhu

Weaves Artists

WA

Submit three looks that display a full or half head of weave. Lace front, ponytail, bangs, tape- in etc.

Last year's category wrinner:

Hand tied Wefts Artist

HTW

Submit three looks that display a full or half head of extensions.

Last year's category wrinner:

Braids- Cornrow + single Artist

BCS

Submit three looks that display braids in any form. Cornrow designs, Box, twist, single etc.

Last year's category wrinner:

Make Up artist of the year (nominations required)

MUAOTY

This honour is given to a Make-Up Artist who has incredible vision, and sees the beauty within. An artistic leader who understands the complexity and composition of all skin tones. A mentor who creates creative spaces for new talent, educates and raises awareness on all beauty. (before and after required)

Last year's category wrinner:
Natalia Farahmand

Total Glam Make-up Artist

GM

Submit three looks displaying the latest make up trends. Three faces (no digital enhancements permitted)

Last year's category wrinner:

Multicultural Make-up Artist

MMUA

Submit three looks displaying the latest make up trends. On a diverse selection of models showcasing all skin types. Three faces (no digital enhancements permitted)

Last year's category wrinner:

Avant Garde Make-up

AGMUA

Submit three looks displaying extreme artistic and creative ability. Showcase a word of make belief and exaggeration. Three face, Themed. Total fancy. (Digital enhancement permitted)

Last year's category wrinner:

New Make-Up Artist (under 3 years)

NMUA

Artist must be working in the industry for under three years. Submit three looks displaying the latest make up trends. Three faces (no digital enhancements permitted)

Last year's category wrinner:

Nail tech of the year (nomination required)

NTOTY

This honour is given to a Nail technician who delivers incredible results without question. An artistic leader who understands exactly how to nail it. A nail design innovator who sees the nail world for what it can be, rather than what it is.

Last year's category wrinner:
Amy Suri

Avant Garde Nail Technician

AGNT

Submit three looks displaying extreme artistic and creative ability. Nails should be total make belief and exaggerated. Total fancy. (Digital enhancement permitted)

Last year's category wrinner:

Creative design Nail Technician

CDNT

Submit three looks displaying artistic and creative ability. Three wearable looks.

Last year's category wrinner:

Student nail technician of year

SNTOTY

Submit three looks displaying artistic and creative ability. Three wearable looks.

Last year's category wrinner:

Submission instructions

Each HIGH RES filemust be named accordingly: 

i.e.,CategoryAbbreviation_FirstName_LastName_Year 

EX: BOTY_Andrea_Sampson_21.jpg

 

Each ORIGINAL file must be named accordingly: 

i.e., CategoryAbbreviation_FirstName_LastName_Year_O

EX:BOTY_Andrea_Sampson_21_O.jpg