2025 Student Contest: Special Occasion Hair Winner

Highlighting the Beauty of Special Occasion Hair: Intercoiffure, Beyond the Ponytail, and Pivot Point Support Student Passion, Talent and Creativity

New York – September 28, 2025 – The beauty industry came together to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and the next generation of talent at the 2025 Intercoiffure Student Contest, held during Intercoiffure America | Canada’s annual Fall Atelier in collaboration with Pivot Point International and supported by Beyond the Ponytail, the leading bridal stylist community.

This year’s theme, “Special Occasion Hair,” invited students to share the stories and inspiration behind their looks—showcasing not only their technical mastery but also the personal meaning and artistry that define great beauty professionals.

Launched in 2022, the Intercoiffure Student Contest bridges the gap between beauty education and the professional salon world, celebrating students and educators whose work embodies creativity, excellence, and passion for the craft.

Student Hair Designs on Kennedy Premium Mannequins

Students were tasked with creating looks that best represented their vision of special occasion hair. All designs were created on Pivot Point’s new Kennedy Premium Series Mannequin, ensuring consistency and professional-grade styling for the competition.

Expert Judges

The judging panel featured respected industry leaders:

Jason Russell (@jer9776), Senior Product Experience Manager, Pivot Point International

Angela Cattaneo (@angelabeyondtheponytail), Founder, Beyond the Ponytail

Sonya Dove (@thesonyadove), Artistic Director, Intercoiffure

Their combined expertise ensured that the selected finalists demonstrated not only creativity but also the professional skills required of tomorrow’s outstanding stylists.

“We are thrilled to see the next generation of beauty professionals embrace special occasion hair as part of their creative journey,” said Jason Russell of Pivot Point International. “This contest not only showcases their incredible talents but also highlights the role our industry plays in celebrating life’s most meaningful moments.”

Contest finalists included:

Lindsey Forchione (@lifted.by.lindsey) from Empire Beauty School – Kalamazoo, mentored by instructor Christine Benson.

Angelica Pohle (@angelicapohle.hair) from Paul Mitchell The School – Spokane, mentored by instructor Michael Pendell.

Kailey Howald (@hairbykaileymarie) from The Institute of Beauty and Wellness – Milwaukee, mentored by instructor Amy Lile.

Megan Blythe (@meg_thee_stylist_) from Aveda Institute – Clearwater, mentored by instructor Brandon Pryor.

And The Winner Is…

Drumroll, please!

The grand prize winner was Kianna Anderson (@chicksandhairflips) from Ogle School – Houston, mentored by instructor Alicia B. Peoples. Kianna stood out for her passion, creativity and artistry. She and her instructor received an all-expense-paid trip to New York, where both were honored onstage at the Intercoiffure Fall Atelier.

New Bridal Stylist Research

The award also complements new research conducted by Pivot Point and Beyond the Ponytail. It was designed to benchmark and better understand the bridal stylist community. This groundbreaking white paper, Bridal Stylists Unveiled: Benchmarking and Understanding the Bridal Stylist Community, offers the first in-depth look at the career paths, business models, and educational needs of bridal hair stylists—a rapidly growing, entrepreneurial, and highly specialized segment of the professional beauty industry.

Other Intercoiffure / Pivot Point Activities

Pivot Point also proudly partners with Intercoiffure America | Canada on two prestigious initiatives that celebrate excellence in beauty education. First, the Honor the Teacher program recognizes exceptional beauty school instructors shaping the next generation of professionals. Second, the Leo Passage Educator of the Year Award honors Pivot Point’s visionary founder. Together, these programs spotlight the passion, creativity, and dedication that elevate the art and craft of teaching across our industry.

Sam Villa Accepts Leo Passage Award

To close the evening, Sam Villa—industry icon, educator, and co-founder of Sam Villa®—was honored with the Leo Passage Educator of the Year Award. The honor was presented by Intercoiffure America | Canada in partnership with Pivot Point International.

In a heartfelt acceptance video, Sam Villa reflected on the deeper meaning behind the award:

“Leo was a true visionary, not only in the way he viewed education, but in how he elevated the role of the stylist as both an artist and a professional. I have carried that belief with me throughout my own journey, letting it guide the way I teach, share, and connect with others in this industry. To be honored in this light is deeply humbling, and it’s not something I take lightly. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to walk this path and continue the work of lifting our craft higher.⁠⁠”

Sam’s message underscored the lasting impact of Leo Passage’s legacy and the continuing responsibility educators share in shaping the future of beauty.

(Watch Sam Villa’s acceptance video below.)

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About Pivot Point International

Pivot Point International is a global leader in beauty education. They continue to set the standard for innovation in both school and professional learning. Students showcased their creativity using Pivot Point’s new Kennedy Premium Series mannequins, designed to deliver the most realistic educational experience available. In addition, Pivot Point’s collaborative research with Beyond the Ponytail benchmarks and underscores the growing momentum and opportunity within the bridal and specialty styling segment.

About Intercoiffure America/Canada

Intercoiffure is an international organization of elite hairdressers. They represent the highest standards in the beauty profession. Through events like the Fall Atelier and initiatives like the Student Contest, Intercoiffure fosters creativity and innovation among the next generation of beauty professionals.

About Beyond the Ponytail

Beyond the Ponytail is a global digital hair community. They provide hairstylists and consumers with access to the best inspiration and education on the latest trends in all aspects of styling, and are a leader in the bridal beauty industry. Angela Cattaneo, founder, supports wedding hairstylists and makeup artists through mentorship, in-person events and initiatives like the Bridal Artist Connection and Educator Masterclass.

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