Who Won The Remi Cachet Crown?

Winners of annual Extensionist of the Year Awards revealed in Manchester

by AMANDA | INFORM

All Winners

Manchester’s Edwardian Hotel hosted more than 250 of the UK’s top extensionists for the Remi Cachet Extensionist of the Year Awards 2025/2026. 

Hosted by founder and global creative director Victoria Lynch and chief executive Lisa Jackson, the first ever overall winner was revealed as Rowan Milne from Beyond Bond, who had also scooped the price for Hair Extensionist of the Year Scotland East.

Ashley Marie Higgins from Little Lady Locks shared an emotional plea for the charity, which recycles hair extensions into wigs and hair systems for children suffering hair loss. She was on hand to present Kim Warburton from Sistachic Hair Extensions with the Recycler of the Year trophy.

Westrow models

New awards on the night included the Rising Star Award – scooped by Leona Kerr, Leona Kerr Hair – and the International Award, won by Stacy Johnstone from Stacy Johnstone Dubai.

Following the recent opening of the brand’s Centre of Excellence at Westrow Academy in Leeds, Westrow showcased Remi Cachet’s new Curly Weft, 30″ Weft and classic Hollywood Weave on a trio of models.

The night’s winners were each given a trophy and a gift certificate worth £250. Judges of the competition included Stephen Hopper, founder of SH Hair and Remi Cachet ambassador; Christopher Laird, Remi Cachet brand ambassador and founder of Laird & Co; Alex Ferris, owner of AF Hair Extensions Salon and Remi Cachet ambassador, Louise Bailey, founder of Beauty Club London; Michelle Griffin, founder of Loxbox and vice president of The Fellowship for British Hairdressing; Inanch Emir, founder of Inanch London; and Sarah Ashley, founder of Upstate Hair Extension Studio, New York City.

“Each year we gather to celebrate not just our amazing industry but also to recognise outstanding talent,” said Victoria Lynch. “It’s so important to take a moment to celebrate success and I am so proud of all of our winners.”

And The Winners Are…

Recycler of the Year: Kim Warburton, Sistachic Hair Extensions
Rising Star Award: Leona Kerr, Leona Kerr Hair
Super Stylist of the Year: Poppy Saunders, PS Hair Extensions
Scotland West: Jenna Orr, Luxe Locks by Jenna
Scotland East: Rowan Milne, Beyond Bond
North East of England: Georgia Reynolds, GLR Hair
Yorkshire and the Humber: Brittany Jae Lamb, Juno Salon Ltd
North West of England: Raminta Doskute, Flawless Xtensions by Raminta
Midlands: Kym Grace, Hair Extensions by Kym
Wales and Northern Ireland: Michelle Crumlish, Crumlish House
East Anglia: Jade Pask, Hair Extensions by Jade
London: Emily Dickson, Extensions by Em
South East of England: Hollie Johnson, Divamane Limited
South West: Yasmin Carter, Yasmin Ellen Hair
International: Stacy Johnstone, Stacy Johnstone Dubai
Overall Winner: Rowan Milne, Beyond Bond

Haircuts4Homeless And American Crew Play Ball With West Ham

Hammers For Hope teams players with homeless support services

by IZZY | INFORM

The West Ham United Foundation teamed up with Haircuts4Homeless and American Crew among others to host Hammers for Hope, a homeless service support event.

Local organisations came together at the Premier League team’s new community hub, The Foundry, in Beckton to offer free hair, beauty and dental services, health advice, financial guidance, employment support and creative activities to boost confidence and foster inclusion.

Haircuts4Homeless founder Stewart Roberts MBE, alongside barbers Bobby Gordon from Fella and Marco Coluccio, delivered more than 40 professional haircuts to guests, including West Ham players Tomáš Souček, Dinos Mavropanos and club legend Anton Ferdinand.

“Community is at the heart of what we do,” said Matt Horder, general manager UK and Ireland at American Crew. “Grooming has the power to restore confidence and dignity. It was inspiring to see how something as simple as a haircut can make such a genuine difference.”

Guests and volunteers rounded off the day with a traditional pie and mash lunch from the Foundation’s E6 Social Kitchen, celebrating connection, compassion and community spirit.

“What we do goes so much further than just giving someone a haircut,” added Stewart, “it’s about making a human connection and showing kindness.” Since 2014, Haircuts4Homeless has delivered more than 80,000 haircuts across the UK. 

AI-Powered Salon Stock Control Launches

A 69p origin story fuels a first-of-its-kind platform

by IZZY | INFORM

When award-winning salon owner Cherise Davies opened her first business with just 69p in her bank account, she learned quickly how vital stock control was – and how easily money could disappear through confusion, waste and over-ordering.

Years later, that experience has become the driving force behind Zigstock, the new AI-powered stock management platform designed specifically for salons and clinics.

Built around the everyday realities of fast-paced service environments, Zigstock has features including AI powered insights that learn ordering behaviour, voice-controlled stock adjustments for hands-free accuracy, real-time stock tracking across one or multiple locations, low stock alerts and flagged overuse, waste and usage analysis, QR scanning for quick updates, clear budget visibility, batch and expiry tracking and full sight of staff usage and activity.

“Technology should take work away, not add more to it,” said Cherise. “Zigstock was created to give owners a sense of control that many have never experienced before.” The launch comes with an early user founder price of £499 per year. Regular pricing sees packages from £599 or £49pm for the Essentials, £899 or £79.99pm for Pro and £1,119 or £119.99pm for Premium.

Colour? Real All About It!

Haug London Haus creative director Siobhan Haug launches new colour consultation newspaper

by AMANDA | INFORM

For many clients, committing to a new hair colour can feel like a leap of faith. Between social media inspiration and uncertainty about what suits them, the consultation chair can feel more daunting than exciting. Recognising this, creative director and award-winning colourist Siobhan Haug has introduced a fresh, fashion-led solution at Haug London Haus – a colour consultation newspaper designed to make these types of conversations easier and more creative.

“Styled like a glossy fashion insert, the newspaper doubles as a mini pre-consultation guide,” Siobhan explains. “It spotlights six key winter colour trends and each look includes a mood-led breakdown of who it suits, how to ask for it in-salon and how to maintain it at home. Clients can envision the colour on themselves, mix and match inspiration and feel excited about trying something new.”

The concept has already been transformative, creating natural retail pathways and encouraging adventurous colour choices. “At Haug London Haus, we pride ourselves on our bespoke colour work and this newspaper has become a key talking point in salon,” Siobhan says. Beautiful as it is, she adds, “It’s much more than just a pretty piece – it elevates consultations, helping clients make trend-focused, confident decisions. I can’t wait to replicate it in the spring.”