BEST IN BARBERING ANNOUNCED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT INAUGURAL AUSTRALIAN MODERN BARBER AWARDS 2021
Sunday the 5th December saw barbers and shop owners around the country watching on as the first ever AMBA winners were named during the long awaited livestream announcement via social media. Australia’s new premium awards program for the male grooming industry, the AMBA’s were launched to provide men’s hairdressing trailblazers with a much needed and often requested benchmark of excellence and platform to showcase their creative and business skills.
Created by esteemed trade visionaries Mocha Group, owners of the Australian Hair Industry Awards and Australian Beauty Industry Awards, these are just the latest initiative revolutionising the way our local visionaries are able to engage with consumers and show off their creative and business talents.
Consisting of 14 categories including the AMBA Australian Modern Barber of the Year and the AMBA Australian Modern Barber Business of the Year, they were deliberated on by an independent panel of judges including media, PR and business specialists, national and international barbering icons and specialists in the barbering industry. With men’s grooming an increasing player in the global beauty market this is a timely marker of the industry’s importance and an exciting sign of things to come.
The awards were due to culminate in the first AMBA gala event in Melbourne at the Plaza Ballroom in December, but with border restrictions in place the event was pivoted to an online livestream with barbers gathering with their peers and celebrating a little closer to home as winners were announced.
2021 AMBA Winners
Best Mens Collection – Classic
Sponsored by Milkman Grooming Co
Leigh Winsor – Area Studio

Best Mens Collection – Freestyle
Sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional
Johnny Georgiou – Barbery the Craft of a Barber
Best Team Collection
Sponsored by American Crew
Area Studio
Best Customer Care
Sponsored by Shortcuts
Grand Royal Barbers
Best Barbershop Design
Sponsored by Babyliss Pro
New York Barbers
Best Business Director/Owner of the Year
Sponsored by Depot – The Male Tools & Co.
Don De Sanctis – Barber Boys
Best Mens Educator of the Year – Individual or Organisation
Sponsored by Excellent Edges
Fraser Forsey – Barber Education Australia
CARE, STYLE AND BEARD PRODUCT AWARDS
Sponsored by Barbershop Magazine
BEST IN CARE
Justice Professional – Cool Mint Shampoo & Conditioner
CARE, STYLE AND BEARD PRODUCT AWARDS
Sponsored by Barbershop Magazine
BEST IN STYLE
Hanz De Fuko – Claymation
CARE, STYLE AND BEARD PRODUCT AWARDS
Sponsored by Barbershop Magazine
BEST IN BEARD
Mr Muk – Beard Oil
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Sponsored by Barbershop magazine and Andis
Eoin McCarthy
Australian Modern Barber of the Year
Sponsored by The Barbiere Company
Leigh Winsor – Area Studio
Australian Modern Barber Business of the Year
Sponsored by Wahl Professional
New York Barbers
