Sam Villa has always been a true inspiration to the beauty industry. He has helped many of us grow as hairdressers and as individuals with his thoughtful words and invaluable advice. This year during Premiere Orlando, COLLECTIVE INKD MAGAZINE held their INKD AWARDS 2023: Celebrating Beauty Industry Visionaries, and presented Sam Villa with the Icon Leadership Award.
The Icon Leadership Award honors individuals who have made an indelible impact on the beauty industry through exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication to education, inspiration, and the industry. It recognizes iconic figures who serve as beacons of inspiration who guide artists and lead professionals towards excellence, by sharing their knowledge, imparting valuable skills, and nurturing the next generation of talent. Their commitment to giving back and supporting numerous charitable initiatives showcases their compassion and desire to create positive change.
Upon accepting the award, Villa said, “When we choose to be a teacher, we must never stop learning. Let’s listen to the youth, they are the future…. embrace them, some day they will be running this industry.”
“Sam Villa, the iconic figure behind Redken and Sam Villa, received the highly coveted Icon Leadership Award. His exceptional leadership, education, inspiration, and innovation have left an indelible mark on the beauty industry. Sam has helped shape the future of beauty, inspiring artists and industry professionals worldwide,” adds Chrystofer Benson, Editor-in-Chief of COLLECTIVE INKD MAGAZINE.
Other awards included:
- Capture Award: Richard Linchetta
- Innovation Award: Dennis Joseph, BaByliss
- Disruption Award: L3VEL 3 - Jay Nouri, AROD, Terry Nouri
- Leadership Award: Brittany Hickman, Pulp Riot
- Trailblazer Award: Meg Gilbert
- Technology Award: Phorest
Get inspired by Sam Villa and his team by tuning into Facebook live classes and YouTube tutorials. The complete catalogue of customizable education for salons, shows and events, including Thrive On, is available here.
Image Credit: CBC Productions @haircbc_pro
