KEVIN.MURPHY has always been a brand dedicated to the choices we make surrounding the environment, philanthropy, diversity and humanity. As we continue to grow, we know that these choices also involve the stylists, salons, and consumers who utilise our products each and every day. ”The Choices We Make involves the Choices that are related to Environment, Philanthropy, Diversity and Humanity. So now we want to shift the focus from The Choices that We Make to The Choices that You Make,” says founder Kevin Murphy.

This includes celebrating YOU and the choices you make, which is why we’ve created the ICON Awards. More than just a competition, every two years we’ll be highlighting the everyday heroes from all over the world that not only create gorgeous salon results but go above and beyond to positively impact communities, the environment and individuals’ lives.

After so many inspiring stories and submissions, we are so excited to announce the five ICON Award finalists:

2022 ICON Award Finalists:

PALOMA Salon

Australia

Showing how cool it is to care, Paloma Garcia and her team at PALOMA Salon have dedicated themselves to upholding sustainable practices at the salon and in their daily lives. With the utmost concern for climate change, PALOMA Salon is a part of Sustainable Salons Australia, utilises ECO HEADS to cut down on water waste, and has volunteered her time alongside her team to care for victims of the 2019/2020 wildfires.

In addition to volunteering time for the wildfires, the ICON Jury was deeply moved by their donations of haircuts to the homeless at King’s Cross. “Not only did they show innovation and an impact on the environment, but they’ve also taken something simple, an everyday luxury that may seem superficial, and shown how it really does mean a great deal to people — it’s extremely valuable to increasing self-esteem for these individuals.”

Get to know more about PALOMA here.

Hair Together

Ireland

Giving back to the local community, KEVIN.MURPHY Educator Eileen McHugh, Tony O’Reilly and Gemma McCabe of Hair Together have all overcome battles with addiction and decided to create a programme to help others in the area. Their educational and personal development programme teaches hairdressing and barbering skills to young adults, giving them an arena to foster creativity, imagination, and motivation within an encouraging environment.

Hair Together inspired the ICON Jury by using the opportunities they have been given and deciding to pass it on to new generations. Striking a personal chord, there are so many of us that have gone through similar paths of recovery. “Being able to foster a community and create companionship in the salon creates a feeling of ‘home’ and therefore a safe place for those who are struggling. Going out of the way to be of service to others is one way that we can recover in a very full way and seeing Hair Together create this 10-week program for newly recovered individuals who are struggling with addiction is very powerful.”

Learn more about Hair Together here.

 

Lisa Powers Salon

United States

The Covid pandemic placed undue stress on businesses individuals everywhere, it was during this time that Lisa Power found humanity. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, as her salon was closing down she also began to focus on the overwhelming homeless population that was growing in her own backyard. Dedicated to helping her community, she started doing outreach and working with various organizations to make an impact.

Instead of just watching the chaos from afar, Lisa Powers decided to be proactive about the events unfolding around her. The ICON Jury agreed, “With great pride for her community, she didn’t just wait around and ask for people to donate, she took to the streets and did something about it. Not only did she help her community through a crisis, but she also provided a response where the government had fallen short and started taking care of the people around her, which is very much ICON behaviour.”

Get to know more about her story here.

 

Ginger Salon

United States

North America’s first certified B Corp Salon, Deanna Everson is changing the standards for her employees. Many hairdressers are left without health benefits, paid time off or sick leave, and Ginger Salon is paving the way for a new norm. Sharing similar values and vision, this is exactly why she chose to carry KEVIN.MURPHY in her salon.

The way Deanna redesigned the structure of the salon to meet the needs of her hairdressers really stood out to the ICON Jury. “Every aspect of her concept from creating a healthy work/life balance to the team environment she’s encouraged shows the positive focus placed on the salon as a whole to generate a culture that is also beneficial to the clientele.”

Get to know more about the environment she’s fostered here.

 

Ruby and Clover Hairdressing

United States

Inspiring hope with a purpose, since 2009 Ruby and Clover Hairdressing has been dedicated to counselling young women and helping trafficking victims become survivors. Their non-profit Daughters International mentors at-risk women in Nepal by giving them intense therapy for mental and physical support. Once they have regained their strength, they focus on a skill of their choice — many of which include Cosmetology — before retiring to their villages so they are better able to support themselves financially and feel truly empowered.

What really stood out to the Jury was how Ruby garnered strength from her own devastating experience to create change. “She gives these girls skills and education and a loving environment to grow so that they can overcome their own traumatic experiences and step into a better opportunity for themselves — she’s giving them tools to be able to navigate a new world.”

Hear more about Ruby and Clover Hairdressing and Daughters International here.