KITCHENER—Local hair artist and salon owner, Lina Shamoun, won gold at the OMC Hair World Championship held in Seoul, Korea March 27-29, 2016.

As the world’s largest professional hairstylists’ organization, OMC Hair World hosts the highest level international hairstyling competitions. This year’s OMC Hair World Championship drew more than 1500 top hair, nail, and make-up artists from more than 45 countries.

Ten stylists from across Canada, represented the nation at the annual event—including thirty-two year-old Shamoun, who won gold in the Progressive Cut & Style Category. Ms. Shamoun bested 40 other competitors and is the first Canadian ever to receive top honours at the OMC World Championships in this category. Four other Canadian team members also competed in this category—Adrian Minnella from Thunder Bay took the bronze medal and Julia Falvo from St, Catherine’s came in fifth place.

This Year’s Canadian Progressive Team Trainer and Coach, Kenneth Hiebert from Winnipeg, won gold in a new category—Master’s Progressive Woman’s Cut & Style.

Ms. Shamoun has been a member of Team Canada at the OMC Hair World Championships six times. She competed in Moscow in 2006, Chicago in 2008, Paris in 2010, Milan in 2012, and Frankfurt in 2014.

In September 2015, Shamoun took home gold in the OMC Hair European World Championship.

Ms. Shamoun was also named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce in February 2016.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Lina Shamoun, call or text 519-635-3311 or email lina@artlinesalon.com. Event photos available on request.

About Lina Shamoun and Artline Salon
Iraqi-born Lina Shamoun is the owner and head stylist at Artline Salon, which launched in 2007. Ms. Shamoun was nominated as the KW Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year eight times before winning in 2016. In 2015, she also received her second nomination for a KW Oktoberfest Rogers Women of the Year award.

Along with her parents and four siblings, Ms. Shamoun came to Canada as an immigrant when she was 14 years old. After learning English and completing high school, she apprenticed as a hair stylist. With a strong desire to give back to the community, through the Business and Education Partnership Program of Waterloo Region, Shamoun speaks at local high schools on entrepreneurship. Since Artline’s inception, Shamoun has trained 15-20 co-op students and five apprentices. Shamoun also judges Skills Canada competitions and trains high school teachers to help students to be successful in competitions. In addition, she fosters cooperation among local salons through an annual charity event called Hair United.

Artline Salon is a full service salon, including aesthetics, for women, men and children located in the Belmont Village of Kitchener. Known for out-of-the ordinary styles, including intricate hair tattoos and vibrant colours, Artline employs six full-time stylists and staff. With their advanced technique, skill, and creativity, Artline staff have received many awards in regional, national, and international styling competitions.

See:
www.artlinesalon.com
www.facebook.com/ArtlineSalon
instagram.com/artline_salon/
vimeo.com/artlinesalon

About OMC Hairworld

Started in 1946, OMC is the world’s largest professional hairstylists’ organization. OMC offers advanced styling courses and organizes international competitions. OMC unites individual hairstylists into organizations in member countries. Each member country is represented by delegates who can vote and hold positions on the Zone and World Boards. The World Organization is represented by a Board of Directors, composed of Global Directors and Zone Presidents. http://omchairworld.com