Q&A

Why is it so important to Allilon Education to sponsor the Education Expert category? 

As an education company ourselves, we know how important and how hard it is to share education, so for us, sponsoring Most Wanted Education Expert is really valuable. We really believe the more support we can all do, and the more we can get behind each other as a community, the stronger the industry’s going to be. That’s the reason why us, at Allilon, love sponsoring this award. 

Tell us about AllilonPlus and how it supports hair professionals 

AllilonPlus is an online education platform. It contains a whole array of cutting, colouring, dressing, and styling videos. Now, what’s its purpose? Originally it was purely a video streaming site, with over 300 videos as a catalogue. Since then, we’ve tried to identify a problem, that AllilonPlus is designed to solve.  

We’re lucky as a team that we get to travel the world and share our passion with a lot of people and one of the patterns we see is that people don’t always have the tools to be able to create education systems for salons. For example, if you are a salon owner, you can use AllilonPlus to train all your staff, to help standardise, and to take the company to a whole new level. If you’re an educator, you have a resource that you can confidently pull on, which is constantly evolving, with lots of new content all the time. And as a learner, let’s be honest, it’s very easy to get lost in all the information you’re given, this is a very streamlined version or getting you to understand, step-by-step, how to grow your education. 

Think about having your own digital platform, your own digital space, where you can upload all of your work, watch loads of content and understand what it is you’re doing, to really fall in love with your craft. It’s not a replacement for physical education, it’s a complimentary tool to use alongside it.

Education, it’s the lifeblood of the industry, isn’t it? What training do you think people will be seeking the most in 2024? 

Moving forward, not just in 2024, but in general, a hybrid way of learning is the key. Both virtual and physical. You can’t replace physical, the human-to-human connection takes education to the level. But, being able to access education, anytime, anywhere at any place, is the key to being able to have 24 hour learning. 

Q&A

Why is it so important to Avlon to sponsor the Texture Expert category?

Avlon is passionate about profiling Afro and textured hair hairdressing. Sponsoring the Texture Expert category at the Most Wanted Awards reaffirms our commitment to celebrating the wealth of talent within the industry and our ongoing support for the salons and stylists that work with this hair type. We want to continue the conversation around diversity and inclusivity across the industry and as a brand, recognise the value of championing Afro and textured hair professionals.

Texture education, or sadly the lack of it, has been a growing conversation in the hair industry. What advice can you offer to people seeking to expand their knowledge and skills?

From a professional standpoint we have had salons and experts in this sector for many years, and an industry serving this hair type for decades. In terms of mainstream hairdressing there has been some gaps in ensuring that everyone has access to learn all hair types equally. The demographics within the UK and Europe are changing rapidly and having knowledge of textured hair has become very important.

In the last two years, Avlon has seen a significant increase in enquiries from non-sector specialists regarding education around Afro and textured hair with growing societal awareness of movements such as Black Lives Matter as a key driver for this. The request for product knowledge has also increased as salons and stylists look to diversify their services.
Those looking to expand their skill set, working with Afro and textured, should seek a reputable education provider. Avlon education is founded in 40 years of Afro and textured hair expertise, led by industry experts to give stylists the confidence, knowledge and technical skill to deliver textured hair services to this ever-growing market.

Tell us about the Avlon Inspire club and what it hopes to achieve

The Avlon Inspire Club has been created to offer extra benefits and insights to the brand’s loyal salon network, providing education and guidance to help hairdressers grow and stand out from the crowd. Avlon stands for family, diversity and positive change and the Inspire Club is designed to motivate stylists and inspire clients through educational and business support.

Q&A

ghd, you’ve sponsored the It List for 14 years now, why is the competition so important to you?

We are so incredibly proud to sponsor the It List awards. By supporting, recognising, and nurturing the next generation of talent, we actively contribute to shaping the future pioneers of the British and Irish hairdressing industry. The It List is not just a competition; it’s an amazing opportunity to celebrate the industry’s most exciting young talent. The It List embodies the spirit of innovation and excellence that ghd champions within the salon industry. It serves as a platform to showcase the remarkable talent and creativity of stylists and salon owners, inspiring others to push boundaries and elevate their craft. We are truly excited and privileged to celebrate these gifted individuals, and we are honoured to be a part of their remarkable journey. 

What else does ghd do to support rising young talent in hairdressing? 

Beyond the It List, our commitment to developing emerging talent extends through various initiatives. From educational programs to mentorship opportunities, we strive to empower the next generation of stylists to thrive in their careers. One such initiative is the ghd Style Squad, a prestigious program designed to mentor and showcase emerging talent in the industry. By providing access to exclusive education, high-profile brand events, mentorship from industry experts, and opportunities for professional growth, the ghd Style Squad inspires young stylists to unlock their full potential and go on to make their mark in the world of hairdressing. 

How can new names get noticed by ghd?

We love to see creative and innovative approaches to using our whole portfolio of products, whether that’s in salon, or on the road for shoots/session work. Engage with us through industry events, competitions like the It List and tag @ghdhairpro into your work to showcase your talent and connect with our community of like-minded professionals.