LOCAL STYLIST WINS NORTH AMERICAN HAIRDRESSING AWARD

Date: July 16, 2006

Jackie Elliott of Vault Salon & Spa crowned winner of this year North American Hairdressing Awards (NAHA) in the texture category.

The NAHA’s are the most prestigious hairstyling competition in North America celebrating the skill of the professional salon industry. This year’s winners were announced at a Gala event July 16th, 2006 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The event was emceed by John O’Hurley former champion of Dancing with the Stars and best known for his role as J’ Peterman on Seinfeld. Vidal Sassoon, himself, made a guest appearance to present Michael Gordon, founder and CEO of Bumble and Bumble, the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

The NAHA awards bring out the top stylists from top salons in North American from Miami to Los Angeles, Vancouver to Toronto, Chicago to New York City. Being recognized as a finalists is quiet an achievement, winning is a remarkable task. Of the 12 NAHA categories, Vault Salon & Spa had 4 finalist nominations, John Graham in the Long Hair Category, Jackie Elliott in both Classic and Texture category and Cheryl Gushue for Make-up Artist of the Year.

“I was so excited to be one of the finalists, but when they announced my name as a winner of the texture category, I was out of my seat before they even finished saying my full name!” Excitedly Jackie explains. “Creatively, I wanted to produce a collection with pale, doll-like models with big eyes and waxy skin. I call it the “Dead Doll Look”

The VP of Beauty & Wellness Brandy O’Reilly says “We are so proud of the work all of our stylists do, but to be recognized on a North American level helps to let us know we aren’t just being bias. Winning this award really makes all the time, money and efforts seem worth while. We look forward to next year’s NAHA’s.”

“In addition to the excitement of having 4 top 5 finalist nominations at NAHA's, winning was the icing on the cake” states the owner, Daren Jorgenson. “This is the first time we had encouraged the staff to compete for NAHA’s and it has paid off for our stylists, our salon and for our clients. Many hours of work are put into entering a competition such as the NAHA’s. It is like creating an artistic puzzle and you need to ensure that every piece fits perfectly to make it a winner. The photographer, make-up artist, wardrobe and the hair all have to create a story.” The winning pictures were taken by one of North American’s top hair photographer Babak (www.babak.ca) and the make-up was done by Cheryl Gushue ().

The after party, which went on till the wee hours of the morning, was held at Studio 54 at the MGM Grand Hotel. Vidal Sassoon and Michael Gordon’s were on hand to sign copies of Micheal’s book “Hair Heroes”.

On top of the excitement of being a North American winner, Jackie Elliott and her family will be moving over to Chennai, India next month to head up the Global expansion of Vault. Her role overseas will be to help propel the hair industry in India to the next level. Jackie’s win along with work overseas will make her eligible for a number of more Industry Awards in Europe and Asia.

Vault is scheduled to open 3 new salons in India this fall with over a dozen more to follow over the next year.

For more information about the NAHA’s or Vault Salon & Spa please contact:

Brandy O’Reilly – VP Beauty & Wellness – 204-479-4242 or brandy@darenjorgenson.com

Daren Jorgenson – Founder and CIO – daren@darenjorgenson.com