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)

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.

Published on:

Mar 06, 2024, 9:40 pm

3 min read

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.

A hairstylist working on the dreadlocks of a seated man in a busy hairstyling competition room.

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)

Children performing at a fashion show, wearing colorful tutus, beaded necklaces, and creative hair styles, with one child in the foreground striking a dance pose.

The Mizzes J Candy Factory strutted their stuff during the Mane Stage fashion show. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A fashion show with a woman in a white dress and red shawl with fringe details, accented with traditional-looking red and white embroidery, waving to the audience.

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)

Three women posing on a stage, two with vividly colored hair updos and one in a yellow sweater, all dressed in bright, stylish clothing.

Members of the Mizzes J Candy Factory pose backstage after walking the runway. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A barber with dreadlocks is giving a haircut to a young man with a high top fade hairstyle. The young man is seated and covered with a black salon cape.

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)

Three individuals smiling at a fashion event, two women with colorful braids crouching on either side of a young girl in a blue and gold dress.

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 smiling woman seated while a hairstylist works on her intricate updo in a busy event space.

A model smiles while having her hair transformed during the Loc Design competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Multiple hairstylists working on various clients' hair in a busy event setting with onlookers in the background.

Stylists at work in the Braid Me Up competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)

A hairstylist with long, curly braids is intently styling a young girl's hair, which is decorated with purple and black braids and pink clips.

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)

Close-up of a hairstylist's hands as she carefully braids a young girl's hair, with pink clips parting the hair and a focus on the intricate braid detail.

Kayla Burnett (@hairbyk8yla) at work. (Photo: Susan Fried)

An event host in a black leather outfit and three women, one holding a large check and another holding a trophy, smiling and posing for a photo at a fashion event.

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)

Two men smiling and walking on a stage, one dressed in a black jacket and the other in a gold jacket, holding a large novelty check between them.

Julius Guillory (right) celebrates with his model after taking first place in the Barber's Fade competition. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Children performing a dance routine on stage, dressed in white T-shirts, beige pants, and red suspenders, with one child jumping high with her arms in the air.

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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