For the first time in history, the International Hair Legend Award goes not to an individual, but to a global community of excellence: Intercoiffure Mondial.
In an emotional and groundbreaking moment, the 2025 International Hair Legend Award was officially presented yesterday in Paris to Intercoiffure Mondial, the world’s most prestigious hairdressing association. The announcement was made live on Instagram during the IHA World Tour, from the iconic Intercoiffure House of Nations in Paris (France), where IHA founder Mikel Luzea and global ambassador Sergi Bancells met with Intercoiffure Mondial President Peter F. Pfister to unveil the big news to the international hairdressing community:
This marks a historic milestone for the International Hairdressing Awards: for the first time ever, the coveted Hair Legend title is awarded not to a single visionary, but to an organization that embodies the collective power of craftsmanship, creativity, and global unity. And it couldn’t come at a better moment—Intercoiffure Mondial is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025 with a major global congress in Hamburg (Germany) —the city where it was founded— taking place from May 31 to June 3.
A Century of Excellence
Founded in 1925, Intercoiffure Mondial is the first and only hairdressing association to reach the remarkable milestone of a century. Today, it brings together over 2,000 members operating in 3,000 salons across 37 countries and 6 regions, uniting a global network of 45,000 top-level stylists who collectively serve more than 11 million clients each month.
Throughout its history, Intercoiffure has stood as a beacon of excellence, solidarity, and artistic leadership in professional hairdressing. Its values are rooted in education, innovation, and a deep respect for the craft—values that continue to resonate with new generations of professionals around the world.
“This award is a recognition of our shared passion, global unity, and unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Peter F. Pfister, President of Intercoiffure Mondial. “We are incredibly proud of our 100-year legacy—and even more inspired for what lies ahead.”
Empowering the Next Generation
Beyond celebrating artistic mastery, Intercoiffure Mondial has long been dedicated to shaping the future of the profession. Through initiatives like the Fondation Guillaume, the organization cultivates young talent across the globe, while the Intercoiffure World Academy offers advanced global education through programs such as ColourStar, FashionStar, MasterBarber, and more.
The association also leads with heart. Its humanitarian program, Education for Life, provides free vocational education to underprivileged youth in countries including South Africa, Brazil, Uruguay, Romania, and Ukraine—offering them a path to dignity, independence, and a better future.
A Global Family, A Shared Vision
From Tokyo to Toronto, Cape Town to Copenhagen, Intercoiffure Mondial represents more than just a network of elite salons—it is a global family united by a shared vision: to elevate the profession of hairdressing through excellence, connection, and mutual support. The upcoming World Congress in Hamburg will be a once-in-a-century celebration of this vision, bringing together members from every corner of the world for a unique experience of artistry, education, cultural exchange, and inspiration.
With this award, the International Hairdressing Awards not only honor a century of leadership but also signal a new era—one in which the power of community and collaboration takes center stage.
