2018 Bronner Brothers Mid-Summer Beauty Show

The Bronner Bros. 2018 Mid-Summer Beauty Show kicked off with a bang on Saturday morning, August 5^th at the Georgia World Congress Center! Now in its 71st year, the bi-annual event is the largest multicultural beauty show in the world and generates more than $60M in annual revenue for the City of Atlanta and local businesses. (Source: ACVB, 2017)

Day 1 Show highlights included a press conference with show director James Bronner, alongside special guests, Mona Scott-Young, author and creator of the Love and Hip–Hop franchise, as well as Deon Cole, owner of the eZ-Scratch hair tool company. During the press conference, show manager, Erika Repress, announced that the next Bronner Bros. Show will take place in New Orleans in March of 2019. This is the first time in the Show’s history that it will not be hosted in Atlanta, GA.

The remainder of the afternoon was filled with more than 100 master classes, live beauty demonstrations and an array of hair and beauty vendors. Sponsors were also onsite including Netflix, which teamed with The Cut Life for “The Big Chop” celebration to promote their upcoming film, Nappily Ever After starring Sanaa Lathan. During the live demonstration, celebrity hairstylist Larry J. Sims transformed the look of show attendee, Durann Dungee by cutting off nearly ten (10) inches of her hair.

Throughout the day, several other celebrities were spotted on the Show floor, including Yung Joc, Just Brittany and Karli Redd of VH1’s Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, rapper/actress Lil Mama, artist/actor Jeff Chery, Dish Nationstar Head Krack, and Keyshia Ka’oir of BET’s The Mane Event.

Saturday evening wrapped up with a Comedy Explosion featuring JJ Williamson and social media sensation – Jess Hilarious. There was also a concert featuring R&B recording artist, August Alsina.

In keeping with Bronner family tradition, Sunday morning began with food for the soul in a non-denominational service that was open to all. Rev. C. Elijah Bronner delivered the inspirational message followed by ministry-in-song featuring Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter, Rudy Currence.

The day continued with forums, classes and competitions, including the highly-anticipated return of the Champion of Weaves and superhero-themed Fantasy competition.

For the first time in Bronner history, a female-barber reigned supreme at the ANDIS Total Look Barbering Competition. The Show’s professional barbing competitions have been largely male-dominated over the past two decades. Congratulations to Jasmine Harris, who took home $1500 in cash and prizes.

The evening culminated with the legendary “Hair Battle… A Battle of the Styling Teams.” Unlike the traditional competition format featuring individual stylists, all-star style teams representing KISS, Ashtae, Andis, and Babyliss battled for the Show’s top honor. Team Ashtae’s “Slaying House of Temples & Edges” reigned supreme, earning the $10,000 cash grand prize. Inspired by traditions of the black church, Ashtae’s presentation showcased the team’s creativity and advanced technical ability accompanied by an original soundtrack, full multimedia presentation and loads of humor, including words of wisdom from “The Book of Madame CJ Walker

On the final day of the show, the focus was on education. Professional stylists and barbers earned CEU credits in classes taught by industry leaders such as Dr. Karen Stacks, J. Rashawn Colter, Kaye Flewellen, Ivana Miles and Nacolia Gipp. Exhibitor education included topics ranging from salon ownership and franchising to product development and understanding legal & regulatory issues. Instructors included Anthony Barmer, Johnn Belt, and The Global Beauty Alliance’s Carol Sagers, to name a few.

Competition Winners

ANDIS Upper Cut Barbering

1^st Place—Gregory Moore

2ns Place—Christopher Mahaffey

3^rd Place— Jose Muniz

Creative Student Rising Star

1^st Place— Valerie Sampson

2ns Place— Mariah Carpenter

3^rd Place— Brittany Ford

ANDIS Total Look Barbering (*first female–barber winner)

1^st Place—Jasmine Harris*

2ns Place—Dennis Murray

3^rd Place— Christopher Quinones

Champion of Weaves

1^st Place— Kellye Matthews

2ns Place—Shabazz Davil

3^rd Place— Yatasha Bass

FANTASY: Superhero Theme

1^st Place— Ashley Payne

2ns Place— Nikita Kimmons

3^rd Place— Lavita Griffin

Battle of the Styling Teams

Team ASHTAE— “The Slaying House of Temples