"If you stick with what you love and don't get discouraged by complications, your passion will be recognized," says newly crowned North American Hairstylist of the Year Eli Mancha, in an exclusive interview with MODERN SALON. "Always be open to allow your vision to evolve into something greater."

And something greater is what Mancha received on stage last night, as he received top honors at the North American Hairstyling Awards at PBA Beauty Week in Las Vegas. Mancha is the artistic director for the Lock & Loaded design team and owner of Bang! salon in Chicago. He and his team, along with winners in 12 other NAHA categories, were celebrated at the annual "Academy Awards of Hair"-inspired gala.

As proud co-founder and sponsor of NAHA, MODERN SALON Media congratulates all the winners, finalists and sponsors. Watch for an exclusive NAHA Winners Portfolio, sponsored by Matrix, in our August issue.

See the complete list of NAHA winners:

AVANT GARDE
Jake Thompson
Lunatic Fringe

CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC
Simon Chercuitte
SACO

EDITORIAL STYLIST
Dimitrios Tsioumas
Mizu NY

FASHION FORWARD
Zahir Ziani
Red Door Spas

HAIRCOLOR
Dimitrios Tsioumas
Mizu NY

HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR
Eli Mancha
Lock & Loaded

MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Clarissa Luna
Jackson Ruiz Salon

MASTER HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR
Kris Sorbie
Redken 5th Ave NYC

SALON DESIGN OF THE YEAR
Salon M Squared

SALON (MBA)
Atelier Salonspa/Karie Bennett

SALON TEAM
Jackson Ruiz Salon

STUDENT HAIRSTYLIST OF THE YEAR
Giovanna Simington
Golden West College

TEXTURE
Carlos Cintron
TIGI


To view all of the NAHA finalists work and to get information on entering NAHA 2012, visit probeauty.org/NAHA.

2011 NAHA Winners Announced!
The cover of the NAHA Winners Portfolio, mailing today with MODERN SALON's August issue, features Mancha's winning entry on the cover.

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Originally posted on Modern Salon