Co-Founder and Creative Director of D&M Hair Design Danny Pato achieved an incredible career milestone earlier this week, taking out AHIA New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2023 at the illustrious Australian Hairdressing Industry Awards.

His winning collection, Heroine, was inspired by female superheroes, celebrating Queen and warrior characters from comic books and pop culture. “It’s extremely colourful,” he tells FQ. “It’s different because most of the hair looks are elevated forms of on-trend wearable styles, like bobs and long wavy hair, so they can be simplified for on the salon floor.”

Having won the competition for seven consecutive years, this win also marks Pato’s induction into the AHIA Dennis Langford Hall of Fame, ultimately requiring him to step down from entering for the next two years.

“It truly is a remarkable honour,” Pato says. “It was overwhelming on the night to watch the video they’d put together of my career highlights and have the room filled with hundreds of the industry’s finest on their feet. It was a complete surprise and I’m incredibly grateful.”

Pato grew up in Greece with five sisters, the very women who sparked his passion for hairdressing. “This has been an incredible journey filled with challenges, sacrifices, and countless hours of hard work,” he admits in an Instagram post. “Moving to New Zealand as a migrant over 30 years ago, not speaking a word of English, dealing with my sexuality, the hair salon felt like home; this industry is what saved me.”

“I never thought I’d be standing here today, having the honour of this title for seven years running, and now to be representing NZ in the Australian Hall of Fame – with the gravity of fellow Kiwi Dennis Langford’s legacy in the industry. To all hairdressers out there, I urge you to follow your passion, work hard, and never give up on your dreams,” he continues.

When asked what he believes to be his enduring strength in the competition, he says it’s his penchant for a narrative. “I aim to create a whole world with each collection; the priority is the story.”

Today, Pato works full-time on the salon floor, while balancing training his team, doing fashion editorials and writing industry commentary. The AHIA New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year 2023 award joins Pato’s many trophies, including Hair Expo NZ Hairdresser of the Year 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, AIPP International Trophy 2020 and 2022, and two-time International Hairdresser of the Year in 2021 (in Canada and Spain).

It’s glaringly obvious that Pato has a conviction to give back to the industry that has given him so much. “For me, it’s when a young stylist comes up to me and shares that I’ve been an inspiration for their journey. That makes all the effort worthwhile.”

View Danny Pato’s award-winning ‘Heroine’ collection below.