Christophe Gaillet Receives Inaugural Prix Antoine de Paris in Paris

Christophe Gaillet has become the first recipient of the Prix d'Honneur Antoine de Paris, a new honorary award created by the Haute Coiffure Française (HCF), the historic Paris-based institution that promotes French hairdressing internationally.

The ceremony took place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, on the stage of the Folies Bergère in Paris. It ran as part of the International Hair Congress, before hundreds of hairdressing professionals from around the world.

The award sits outside the traditional competitive categories of HCF recognition. It can honour hairstylists, artistic directors, creators, entrepreneurs and other personalities whose contributions have inspired and transformed hairdressing, both in France and internationally. In practice, it gives the profession a dedicated distinction for career-long creative influence rather than a single competition win — a signal that matters for artistic directors weighing how peer-recognition credits translate into standing within the industry.

Why Antoine de Paris?

The prize takes its name from Antoine de Paris, a pivotal figure in the history of modern hairdressing, remembered for challenging conventions and elevating the craft to the status of artistic expression. Gaillet said the connection is personal as much as professional.

"Antoine was much more than a hairstylist. He was an artist, a visionary, a man of culture and freedom," Gaillet explained. "He dared to challenge established codes and transform hairdressing into a true form of artistic expression. That absolute freedom resonates deeply with my own approach to creation."

For the first laureate, the distinction carries particular weight because of his long-standing ties to the awarding body. "It is a deeply symbolic distinction. Antoine de Paris embodies a free, bold and avant-garde vision of our profession," Gaillet said. "Receiving this award from the Haute Coiffure Française, an institution that is part of my own artistic history, fills me with immense emotion and great pride."

What does the choice of Gaillet signal?

Gaillet ranks among the most prominent figures in French artistic hairdressing, with a career built on creativity, education and the constant exploration of new forms of expression. His creative universe draws on art, culture and experimentation — a profile the HCF has now put forward as its reference point for what the new prize should represent.

His advice to working stylists is built on curiosity rather than technique alone. "Curiosity, above all. Travel, painting, sculpture, photography and encounters with people have all shaped my perspective. I believe our profession is a living culture, built on multiple influences, the transmission of knowledge and emotions. Creating also means being willing to embrace the unexpected," he reflected.

That philosophy places curiosity and openness to other disciplines at the centre of a hairstylist's artistic development — a position with practical implications for salon teams, where cross-disciplinary references increasingly inform avant-garde and editorial work shown at congresses and competitions.

What does the award mean for HCF and the profession?

The HCF's role in Gaillet's own career frames the significance of the honour. "The Haute Coiffure Française is one of the pillars of my artistic life. It is an institution dedicated to sharing knowledge, creation and exchange, preserving an exceptional heritage while looking towards the future," he said.

Beyond celebrating one career, the inaugural edition of the prize carries a message about where the organisation sees hairdressing heading: keeping creativity alive, sharing knowledge and defending freedom of artistic expression. Gaillet framed his acceptance as a collective one.

"I would like to inspire others to remain free, curious and passionate. I think of all the people who have guided me, encouraged me to question things and placed their trust in me over the years. This award belongs to them too," he said.

His closing remarks addressed the next generation of professionals directly: "I would like to pass on this belief to the next generations: our profession knows no boundaries when it is fuelled by culture, boldness and generosity in sharing knowledge."

With the first Prix d'Honneur Antoine de Paris now awarded, the HCF has signalled that heritage and innovation, technical excellence and artistic sensitivity will define the honour going forward. The next data point to watch is the second edition — whether the institution makes the award an annual fixture on the International Hair Congress stage.