Back with a bang! The 2021 MWIT Grand Final

Lights! Music! PEOPLE! The Most Wanted and The It List Awards were back and bigger than ever for the 2021 Grand Final

It had been two long years since everyone was properly gathered at a MWIT Grand Final, so we all knew that the 2021 event was going to be EPIC! And that’s precisely what it was, with celebrity host Russell Kane keeping the energy turned up to 11 as we crowned our supremely talented Most Wanted and The It List 2021 champions.

Returning to the iconic Printworks in London, the night was chock-full of sumptuous plant-based food, bespoke cocktails and the first real chance for many in our industry to see their peers once more, in the FLESH! Oooh, it was gonna get spicy!

With everyone was dressed up to the max and ready to party (thanks to their Covid Pass or negative lateral flow test required to sail past the burly bodyguards), the industrial-chic surroundings of the Print Halls were thrumming with love, appreciation and celebration for UK and Irish hairdressing in all its forms.

The festivities kicked off with a quick-fire, energetic set from the night’s host Russell Kane, before the lights dimmed and ghd’s magnetic hair show began. With bold shapes and textures, Adam Reed and his team set the crowd alight with their work, and had everyone ready for what lay ahead…

And while it was fab-u-lous to be back together #IRL, we were there to hail the 13 Most Wanted hairdressing stars from the UK and Ireland and six fabulous, young things from The It List – all heroes in their own rights, having battled and bloomed over the past 18 challenging months.

The It List’s goal has always been to identify, celebrate and elevate young talents in our industry, and to provide them with a platform for even more growth and opportunity. There were celebrations which raised the roof, echoing through the iconic venue as the industry celebrated the young talents who shape its future. From Rising Star through to The It Guy and It Girl trophies, the talented cohort of The It List 2021 certainly left their mark.

See the full list of The It List Awards 2021 winners >

At the Most Wanted 2021 awards we saluted terrific teamwork, inspirational innovations, independent career paths, jaw-dropping creativity, business brilliance and superb levels of service – it was absolutely stunning stuff. With the help of our sponsors – Alfaparf Milano, BaByliss PRO, Bumble and bumble, Electric, JOICO, Kérastase, Kao, L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, Mr Q, Phorest Salon Software, Redken, Treatwell Connect and Wella Professionals – this was a memorable celebration of our industry’s standout talent. We even had two new Most Wanted Legends in the house… and discovered two more to crown in 2022!

Check out the entire line-up of Most Wanted Awards 2021 champions >

Laughter! Fashion! Tears! Surprises! Boob tape! What more could you possibly ask for? The after party raged into the night against a buzzing soundtrack of late ‘90s and early ‘00s jams. It was a welcome return to a little bit of normal – and what a way to make a comeback!