Celebrating Creativity: AIVIL Instagram Photo Contest Results Revealed

The 20th AIVIL Instagram Photo Contest: Results Announced

The 20th installment of the AIVIL Instagram Photo Contest, hosted by Torico Industries and in collaboration with Hair Mode Co., Denman International, and HAIRCAMP, recently revealed its winners. Focused on the theme of 'Contrast', this year’s competition received an impressive 311 entries from hairstylists, assistants, and beauty students, showcasing exceptional talent and creativity.

During the evaluation process, the entries underwent multiple rounds of scrutiny, conducting both a preliminary screening and two subsequent review rounds carried out by seven judges. The prestigious Grand Prix award was bagged by Shogo Tsubakurakazu of TLACE from Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, for his captivating work titled 'NOMADIC DUALITY'. Additionally, the award for the Best Student School was awarded to Aoi Sashi from Glamour Beauty College, for her piece 'Complementary Colors'.

The Grand Prix winner received a cash prize of 100,000 yen along with a commemorative trophy. Meanwhile, the Best Student School award recipient took home 30,000 yen and a trophy too. Each of the judges also acknowledged outstanding works with special awards of 10,000 yen and trophies.

All award-winning contributions and the Grand Prix work will be highlighted in the December issue of Hair Mode magazine, set for release on November 1. A special documentary celebrating 20 years of the contest is slated for release on October 30 at 8 PM on HAIRCAMP.

Grand Prize Winner's Submission

Title: 'NOMADIC DUALITY'
Stylist: Shogo Tsubakurakazu (@tsubakikura_tlace)
Location: Gifu Prefecture, Japan

In his award speech, Shogo expressed his surprise and delight at winning, stating, "This year, I aimed to create as many works as I could for this photo contest. An inspiring African television show sparked the concept for my ethnic-themed design. I focused on maintaining a sense of coherence and ethos through yellow chokers and hair, integrating elegance along with the 'Contrast' theme. I also incorporated a desire to transition from tighter designs to more voluminous ones. Winning the Grand Prix is a huge honor and I’m excited to continue creating new works in the future!"

Judges' Remarks

The judges lauded the sophistication and execution of the submissions. Mieko Ueda from Mieko Ueda Studio remarked, "The contrast of hair colors in yellow and black is striking, capturing both softness and a cool mystique embodied in the model’s expression."

Similarly, Noriyoshi Miyachi from SHACHU commented on the exemplary balance of light and dark in hair movement, praising its high quality. Seven judges provided detailed feedback on technical skill, thematic depth, and creativity throughout the contest.

Special Awards Recognition

Every year, the competition also recognizes remarkable entries with special awards. For instance, Yumiko Horii was honored for her work 'Tempest Eco', while Nagii from TRUTH received commendations for blending monochrome choices with impactful visuals.

About AIVIL Instagram Photo Contest

Founded in 2006, the AIVIL Instagram Photo Contest initially emerged from the hair curling trends that swept through the early 21st century. In 2019, the format transformed into an Instagram-centric approach that invites diverse, energetic submissions from salon owners to beauty students. The gallery of past winning creations can be accessed through the Torico Industries official site.

For more updates, follow AIVIL's official Instagram here.