ITVA 2016 Barcelona: Live the experience

It’s my favorite industry event of the year hands down.

When I found out that the 2016 International TrendVision Awards (ITVA) were going to be held in Barcelona, Spain, I literally jumped for joy. I couldn’t contain my excitement. Barcelona has been on my bucket list for such a long time. Now, not only would I get to see it, but I would get to experience the best hair show on earth at the same time. It was a win-win situation.

It’s more than just a hair show it’s an experience.

ITVA is always held in cool cities across the world, but that’s not the best part. You see Wella has established this thing they call “The Wella Family.” Yup. Seeing the family is the best part. The fact that it’s held in amazing cities is gravy.

Eating tapas with Ziad Sami El-Zoor, Rachel Fortino, Davy Debondt, Dave Dias, Vanessa Fortino and Valérie Francisque at Cervecería Catalana.

So, after I landed in Barcelona and checked into my hotel, I went to dinner and spent the evening with awesome people and enjoyed some fantastic food. It was great catching up with everyone, I had such a good time.

Then in the evening I went to an amazing event.

A masquerade ball filled with Cirque du Soleil style acrobatics, tangos, a magic show, live music, amazing food and dancing all night long. The best part was I got to hang out with some of our industries best like Sonya Dove, Robert Lobetta and Fabio Sementilli. I couldn’t of asked for a better evening in Barcelona.

Here I am with the coolest cat around Robert Lobetta.

The main event.

I walked to what I would call Wella heaven.

All the coolness of Wella is showcased in the entrance. The people running the event are beautiful and welcoming. ITVA is always held in the best places in the city. This was at the big convention center in Barcelona.

The day started off with top hair talent competitors working away on their models, we got to see an up close look of the competitors creating some the world’s best and most difficult looks to achieve. It is such a great learning opportunity – to see how other stylists work.

I got to mingle with and meet some the industries biggest celebs like Larisa Love and Renya Xydis one of the ITVA judges for the Creative Vision competition. And of course, I got to see more of my Wella Family.

Here I am with Larisa Love. 

Here I am with ITVA judge Renya Xydis.

Some more of my Wella Family – Fabio Sementilli and Salvatore Mauceri.

Then for the highly anticipated walk of fame.

The 81 competitors come out with their models. They strut their final look on the runway for everyone to view.

This is so exciting.

You hear everyone in the audience giving opinions and talking about which is their favorite as they see the amazing colors and styles of each country.

Afterwards, everyone gets to view all the final looks up close in the gallery. It’s amazing – to see hair transformed into beautiful works of art.

Color Vision People’s Choice Award winner Bogdan Gherasim from Romania.

Here is Team Canada’s look for Creative Vision by Frank Dicintio from Salon Gaboa.

It’s sounds amazing right?

But there was more.

The trend reveal is always one of my favorite parts of ITVA. This year there were two presentations: Ultra Contouring by Dmitry Vinokurov and New Norm by Hester Wernert-Rijn. I also got to see a Sebastian Professional presentation by Shay Dempsey and Michael Polsinelli.

All I have to say is that TrendVision for me is something that I hold close to my heart.

I’ve competed in it many times. I’ve had most of my salon team members compete and win on many occasions. I can’t wait until next year’s ITVA, which will be held in London England. I’ve never been there before, so I’m really looking forward to it.

Here’s to another successful ITVA and to the Wella Family. Cheers to you all and hope you all have an amazing holiday season and a happy New Year.

At ITVA with Rachel Fortino, Fabio Sementilli, Ziad Sami El-Zoor and Vi Linh Du.

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