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Publication date
20 August 2026

Alternative Hair Show arrives in Spain for the first time with LOOK Madrid

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4 min.
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LOOK Madrid celebrates its next edition from 13th to 15th November at IFEMA MADRID.

The most iconic show in international hairdressing will celebrate its 43rd edition on 14 November at LOOK Madrid, IFEMA MADRID, in a historic night that will bring together some of its legendary teams and will also host the final of the International Visionary Award across its three categories: Cut & Colour, Men’s and Avant-Garde.

The Alternative Hair Show arrives in Spain for the first time with LOOK Madrid, thanks to a partnership between IFEMA MADRID and Alternative Hair, one of the world’s most prestigious international platforms dedicated to creativity, innovation and artistic hairdressing. On 14 November, LOOK Madrid will become the stage for one of the major events on the international hairdressing calendar: the 43rd edition of the Alternative Hair Show, which will take place alongside the International Visionary Award competition.

This marks a historic moment for Spanish and international hairdressing. For the first time, the professional audience in Spain will be able to experience live a show that, for more than four decades, has brought together on the same stage some of the most influential names and teams in global hairdressing, establishing itself as one of the leading showcases for creativity and artistic expression within the profession.

For this first edition in Spain, the Alternative Hair Show will bring to Madrid some of the legendary teams that have helped write the history of the show, offering a unique celebration of technique, artistic vision, innovation and creativity.

The evening will be led by Tony Rizzo, founder of the Alternative Hair Show, and Anthony Mascolo, President of Alternative Hair and creator of the International Visionary Award, two iconic figures in the history of global hairdressing.

The International Visionary Award also comes to Madrid

As part of the Alternative Hair Show, LOOK Madrid will host the International Visionary Award competition, bringing together finalists from different countries to present their work to the international industry.

The competition will take place across its three categories: Cut & Colour, Men’s and Avant-Garde, showcasing different approaches to contemporary hairdressing and highlighting talent, technical excellence, innovation and the ability to push creativity beyond conventional boundaries.

Bringing the Alternative Hair Show and the International Visionary Award together on the same night will turn Madrid into a meeting point for some of the industry’s most established names and a new generation of international talent.

Beyond recognition, the International Visionary Award represents a celebration of creativity, innovation and professional excellence, values that connect directly with the new chapter of LOOK Madrid and its commitment to offering high-level content, international visibility and new opportunities for the development of the sector.

More than four decades promoting creativity and solidarity

The story of the Alternative Hair Show began in London in 1983, founded by hairdresser Tony Rizzo and his wife Maggie Rizzo. Following the loss of their son Valentino to leukaemia, they decided to transform that experience into a commitment to research and support for children affected by the disease.

This is how the Alternative Hair Show was born, a project that from the outset has united creativity, professional excellence and charity. Over more than four decades, its shows have brought together the biggest names in international hairdressing.

Today, Alternative Hair is an international platform connecting professionals, artists and emerging talent from around the world, transforming hairdressing into a space for artistic expression, innovation and transformation. The arrival of the Alternative Hair Show at LOOK Madrid will therefore be much more than a major night of hairdressing: it will be a celebration of international creativity in support of a cause that has guided the show since its beginnings.

On 14 November, Madrid will become the stage for a night destined to become part of the history of international hairdressing.