Barbers doing what they do during the "Watch Me Work" segment of the 10th Reign of Style Hair Show and Competition, March 3, at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried) 
Arts & Culture

PHOTO ESSAY | Reign of Style 2024

The Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center was filled with anticipation as the 10th Annual Reign of Style Hair Show and Competition got underway on Sunday, March 3.

Editor

by Susan Fried

The Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center was filled with anticipation as the 10th Annual Reign of Style Hair Show and Competition got underway on Sunday, March 3. The event brought together makeup artists, barbers, and stylists competing in categories like best loc design, braids, makeup, best student barber, best fade, and a barber design battle.

In addition to the Watch Me Work competitions and the MANE Stage fashion and hair show, the event featured dozens of vendors and performances by Northwest Tap Connection.

The audience responded with applause and cheers to the amazing hairstyles and fashion displayed on the MANE Stage. The Summit Salon Academy created an amazing array of lavish hair styles and clothes based on the theme "A Wrinkle in Time." Stylist Ayantu Ibrahim paid homage to her heritage with the "Beauty of Oromia." U'nique Stylez based its hair and fashion on the futuristic theme "Enter the Galactic Revolution." Dune inspired the style represented by Chay's Salon's models, while Jazzmaine Sims' "The Mizzes J. Candy Factory" was influenced by the colors and quirkiness of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Michelle MiMi Lee's "MiMi's Odyssey 2024 Futuristic Replay" imagined a future filled with high hairstyles and streamlined outfits. The imagination displayed on stage was awesome.

If the enthusiasm displayed by this year's audience, barbers, stylists, makeup artists, and models is any indication, the Reign of Style Hair Show and Competition 2025 promises to be even more incredible.

Shawnika Lawrence of Anointed Touches Salon (@anointed_touches) works on her model during the Loc Design competition. Her design took first place in the competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)
The Mizzes J Candy Factory strutted their stuff during the Mane Stage fashion show. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Ayantu Ibrahim (@slayedbyayan2), cosmetologist and stylist, walks the runway with her models representing the Beauty of Oromiya during the Mane Stage fashion show. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Members of the Mizzes J Candy Factory pose backstage after walking the runway. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Julius Guillory with Juice Fades (@JuiceFades) works on his model's hair during the Barber Fade competition at the Reign of Style Hair Show and Competition. Guillory went on to win the competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Tiana TT Adams, owner of Kute-N-Qwirky, (center) poses with her mother and daughter in front of her vendor table at the 10th Reign of Style Hair Show and Competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)
A model smiles while having her hair transformed during the Loc Design competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Stylists at work in the Braid Me Up competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Kayla Burnett (@hairbyk8yla) braids her model's hair during the Braid Me Up competition. Burnett's design won first place in the competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Kayla Burnett (@hairbyk8yla) at work. (Photo: Susan Fried)
The Reign of Style host Koach Giggz and show producer Aisha Ellis Asim present Zhanea Brown (right) (@slaybyzhane) and her model with a check and trophy for taking first place in the Make Me Up competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Julius Guillory (right) celebrates with his model after taking first place in the Barber's Fade competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Northwest Tap Connection performs during the 10th Reign of Style Hair Show and Competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.

Featured Image: Barbers doing what they do during the "Watch Me Work" segment of the 10th Reign of Style Hair Show and Competition, March 3, at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. (Photo: Susan Fried)

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