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Want To Work At London Fashion Week? Karoliina Saunders Has The Answer

Want To Work At London Fashion Week? Karoliina Saunders Has The Answer

Oct 25, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

Want To Work At London Fashion Week? Karoliina Saunders Has The Answer

The celebrated stylist launches an exclusive education series, offering the opportunity of backstage access to London Fashion Week 2025. 

by CAITLYN | INDUSTRY NEWS

Celebrated stylist Karoliina Saunders, renowned for her work as a session stylist and salon owner, has joined R+Co UKI as their new guest artist. Bringing her expertise to the forefront, Saunders will be leading an exclusive education series called ‘Salon to Front Cover,’ designed to train stylists in the world of high-fashion hair.

With extensive experience in the fashion and hair industry, Karoliina has worked with some of the most notable names in hairdressing, including Guido and Eugene Souleiman. As the Head of Session at the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, she has cultivated a reputation for creativity and leadership in both salon and session styling. 

The ‘Salon to Front Cover’ series is designed to give stylists critical skills in transitioning from salon work to high-fashion editorial and runway styling. The series is divided into two courses: 

  • Essentials – Focuses on backstage etiquette, kit essentials, and key techniques. 
  • Enhance – Emphasizes creativity, advanced techniques, and the latest trends from fashion weeks. 

Stylists who complete the courses will have the chance to audition for a coveted spot to work backstage with Karoliina at London Fashion Week 2025, offering real-world experience in high-paced fashion environments. 

“I am thrilled to join R+Co as a guest artist,” says Karoliina. “This is a brand that aligns with my passion for creativity and innovation, and I’m excited to share my knowledge with the R+Co community.” 

With Karoliina Saunders leading the ‘Salon to Front Cover’ series, R+Co is set to offer one-of-a-kind education and career-shaping opportunities to stylists ready to step into the fashion world.  

Find out more here.

 

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AI in Hair Colouring is A Game-Changer – But How Can It Help You?

AI in Hair Colouring is A Game-Changer – But How Can It Help You?

Oct 24, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

AI in Hair Colouring is A Game-Changer – But How Can It Help You?  

Fresha’s partnership with Yuv brings innovative AI-driven technology to salons, offering tools to enhance precision and streamline services.

by CAITLYN | INDUSTRY NEWS
Fresha, a leading platform for beauty and wellness professionals, has made a strategic investment in Yuv, a beauty tech company pioneering AI-powered hair colouring technology. With Fresha’s network of over 120,000 beauty businesses globally, this move could revolutionise the hair colouring process, offering both precision and efficiency. While the thought of using AI in your salon may seem daunting, this will be a tool to help you, not replace you.  

Hair colouring is one of the most complex and creative services a salon offers. With years of training and experience, stylists have honed their craft, developing their own unique approaches to colour. So, it’s understandable that the jump to AI hair colour technology may seem suspicious. After all, how can a machine replicate the creativity and intuition of a stylist? The answer is it can’t, and it’s not supposed to. 

Yuv’s AI technology isn’t designed to replace a stylist’s expertise; it’s built to enhance it. By saving personalised colour formulas in client profiles, Yuv ensures that every visit delivers a consistent, tailored experience. This tool allows stylists to focus on their craft with the confidence that the formulas are accurate and repeatable. It’s not about taking creativity out of the process; it’s about giving stylists more time and freedom to push their creativity further. 

“Investing in Yuv aligns with our mission to provide the most advanced tools to beauty professionals,” says William Zeqiri, founder and CEO of Fresha. “Hair colouring is a cornerstone of the salon business, and by addressing the complexities of this service, we’re adding significant value to our platform.” 

Salon owners, too, might question whether adopting AI is worth the investment. But let’s consider the practical benefits. One of the biggest challenges for any salon is managing inventory – especially when it comes to colour products. Yuv’s technology seamlessly integrates with Fresha’s platform to provide real-time insights into product usage, automatically restocking when needed. This means less waste, reduced costs and always having the right products on hand.  

With over 120,000 beauty businesses using Fresha’s platform, the opportunity to embrace this technology is clear. But this shift will only happen if salon professionals are willing to trust it. AI is no longer a distant concept, it’s here and it’s designed to make your business more efficient while ensuring the artistry and individuality of hair colouring services remain at the forefront. 

Francisco Gimenez, founder and CEO of Yuv, adds: “Partnering with Fresha provides us with the platform and reach we need to revolutionise the salon experience on a global scale. Together, we’re set to transform how professionals and clients approach hair colouring, creating a more efficient and personalised process that benefits everyone involved.” 

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From Berlin To London: How Ursula’s Grown Her salon, Bond, With Fresha

From Berlin To London: How Ursula’s Grown Her salon, Bond, With Fresha

Oct 21, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

From Berlin To London: How Ursula’s Grown Her salon, Bond, With Fresha

How the right tools can help turn dreams into a reality

Promotion – Fresha

by KELSEY | INDUSTRY NEWS 

Ursula at Bond Shoreditch

Opened by Ursula, who’s been hairdressing since 1999, Bond sits in the heart of Shoreditch, London. With a great reputation for their outstanding hair colouring, it’s surprising to know that owning a salon wasn’t always a goal of Ursula’s.

“For many years I didn’t have a desire to own my own salon. But six years ago I was working in a really lovely small salon in Berlin. It was a beautiful salon, with a lovely team. I loved the vibe and the way they managed the salon, and I thought ‘well, I could do this,'” she explains.

Ursula outside of Bond Shoreditch

Ursula

Ursula first heard about Fresha through a friend and fellow business owner, Tina. Tina owns Shoreditch Nails and is a long-time user of Fresha. She recommended it to Ursula given that they were both at similar points in their business journey. After an easy sign-up, Ursula quickly knew that using Fresha was a “no-brainer”.

 Realising it would be exactly what she needed to streamline her business, Ursula has been using it since.

Ursula stresses she’s always impressed with Fresha’s continuous innovation. The platform regularly introduces new features that not only make the day-to-day easier, but makes it possible to always push the business further, bringing in more clients, higher loyalty and an all-in-all better experience from beginning to end.

Ursula also highlights how Fresha listens to its partners and quickly uses their feedback to make changes, which has helped her stay competitive in the busy Shoreditch hairdressing scene.

“We use the automated marketing campaigns – one of our favourites is the birthday 10 per cent discount. We give an email to all of our clients on their birthday month offering them 10 per cent off on their next visit. This makes people feel really special,” she shares. 

Ursula blow-drying hair of client at Bond Shoreditch

Running Bond is more than just managing a business for Ursula; it’s about creating a welcoming environment where creativity and excellent service come together. With her skills, the unique atmosphere of her salon, and the support of tools like Fresha, Ursula has turned Bond into a standout success. Her journey from a hairdresser in Berlin to a business owner in Shoreditch shows how passion, innovation, and the right tools can turn a dream into reality. 

To learn more, visit fresha.com, download Fresha on the App Store and Google Play, or follow Fresha on Instagram and Facebook.

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A Fresh Start for Your Clients’ Hair

A Fresh Start for Your Clients’ Hair

Oct 21, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM

A Fresh Start for Your Clients’ Hair

Promotion – JOICO

A deep-cleansing shampoo that removes build-up, protects colour, and leaves hair soft and shiny—perfect for salon professionals.

by CAITLYN | INFORM

As stylists, you know that hair endures a lot—product build-up, hard water residue, and environmental impurities can leave it dull and lifeless. But keeping hair healthy shouldn’t come at the expense of colour protection or moisture. Enter JOICO’s Defy Damage Detox Shampoo—a salon-essential that delivers a deep detox while building bonds and keeping hair vibrant. 

A gentle yet powerful detox, The Defy Damage Detox Shampoo offers more than just a cleanse—it’s formulated to remove heavy metals, copper, and salts that accumulate from everyday life, while also preserving your client’s colour. With bio-based chelators and activated charcoal as its hero ingredients, this formula acts as a magnet for impurities without stripping away essential moisture. 

Want to ensure the best results before colour services? This shampoo not only preps hair for colour but also ensures it’s in optimal condition, so colour adheres better and lasts longer. Think of it as the perfect first step before any treatment.  

This shampoo is professional-tested and client-loved. Bruno Marc Giamattei, creative director at JOICO EMEA, shares: “Hard water and build-up can be the hidden culprits behind damaged hair. The Defy Damage Detox Shampoo works wonders to reset hair, preparing it for colour while keeping it protected and smooth.” 

Give your clients healthy hair that shines with the Defy Damage Detox Shampoo. It is not just about detoxing—thanks to Moringa Seed Oil and Vegan SmartRelease Technology, hair is left nourished, shiny, and protected from future damage. It’s a must-have for stylists who want to keep their clients’ hair looking and feeling its best after every wash. 

 

Why Your Salon Needs It: 

  • Removes stubborn build-up from hard water and product residue. 
  • Preps hair for optimal colour absorption. 
  • Protects colour and leaves hair soft and shiny. 
  • Formulated with activated charcoal and bond-building technology. 

Discover JOICO Defy Damage Detox Shampoo and transform the way you cleanse hair in your salon.  

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UK Talent Triumphs At Davines’ International Hair Gala

UK Talent Triumphs At Davines’ International Hair Gala

Oct 17, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

UK Talent Triumphs At Davines’ International Hair Gala

Hair industry icons push the boundaries of style in a three-day celebration of coiffured creativity

by CAITLYN | INDUSTRY NEWS

The Davines 2024 World Wide Hair Tour (WWHT) in Berlin was a spectacular, three-day celebration of creativity and talent, drawing over 2,400 attendees from 53 countries. The event kicked off with the Davines Experience at Alte Munze, where attendees immersed themselves in exhibits and activities before the main events. During the Welcome Dinner, the top 10 finalists of the Talent Green House initiative showcased their interpretations of the Davines Hair Identity, setting the stage for the grand finale.  

The Talent Green House programme is Davines’ 18-month global mentoring initiative designed to develop the next generation of hairstylists. It offers aspiring talent from around the world a chance to hone both their technical and creative skills through a series of online modules and mentorship from industry heavyweights like Robert Lobetta and Candice McKay. Focusing on everything from trend forecasting to design principles, the program equips participants with the tools they need to thrive in the competitive hairdressing world.  

Ben Grace 

The winner? Ben Grace, a UK hairstylist from Radio London’s education team, whose “keen sensitivity and intuition for emerging trends” led him to reimagine a classic style with raw, innovative techniques. Ben now has the opportunity to create a collection for WWHT 2026, further cementing his place in the industry. 

The magic continued on day two, with world-renowned hairstylists taking to the stage to showcase their talent. Danny Pato, New Zealand’s 2024 Hairdresser of the Year, kicked off the performances with his collection inspired by “the feminine power of three royal sisters, the Nomad Queens.” His avant-garde hairstyles fused bold shapes and cultural elements, delivering a visual spectacle that wowed the audience. Next up was Annie Ankervik, who presented her Alchemy of Superheroes show, urging attendees to embrace their inner strengths and rise to the challenges of today’s world. 

Radio London made their mark with a performance celebrating Berlin’s creative subcultures. Their live styling sessions, enhanced with cinematic video footage, offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their process and captured the city’s vibrant diversity.  

Coray Absolut, the 2022 Talent Green House winner, continued the showcase with his Prioller show. Drawing on his Turkish heritage and personal memories, Coray blended vibrant prints, scarves, and his signature roller technique, promoting individuality and empowerment with every look. Following him was Jesus Oliver, who presented a performance inspired by amber, using structured cuts to bring out rich shades of red, copper, and yellow, creating a dazzling effect on stage. 

The event concluded with a show-stopping finale by Michael Polsinelli, whose “visual distortion” performance turned imperfection into art. Using unconventional materials like rubber tubing and mesh, he created complex hairstyles that took inspiration from nature and the universe, leaving the audience in awe. 

Work of Coray Absolut, Jesus Oliver and Michael Polsinelli 

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The 42nd Alternative Hair Show Went Out With A Bang

The 42nd Alternative Hair Show Went Out With A Bang

Oct 16, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM

The 42nd Alternative Hair Show Went Out With A Bang

We announce the winners of the global charity event

by MADDI | INFORM

Alternative Hair Show 2024

Alternative Hair Show

On Sunday, 13 October, the iconic Roundhouse in Camden Town played host to the highly anticipated 42nd edition of the Alternative Hair Show – and it was bigger, better and bolder than ever. Under this year’s theme, Evolution, hundreds of hairdressers from across the globe came together to celebrate innovation, artistry and charity. 

Long-time supporter Linda Evans returned as host, sharing the stage with Tony Rizzo, founder and director of the Alternative Hair Show and Anthony Mascolo, the show’s president. This year, Mascolo himself was honoured with the Legend Award, recognising his immense contribution to the show over the years, including the creative films he shared on the night – works inspired by his earlier projects and reimagined through the power of AI. 

The evening kicked off with the International Visionary Award, marking its 20th anniversary. Finalists across Cut & Colour, Men’s, and Avant Garde categories showcased their boundary-pushing creations, with the winners earning well-deserved applause. 

Alternative Hair Show Visionary Award

Alternative Hair Show Visionary Awards

And the winners are…

Cut & Colour 

Winner – Matteo Susini, Italy 

Runners-Up – Petra Blatnik Macek, Slovenia & Josh and Sophie-Rose Goldsworthy, UK 

 

Men’s 

Winner – Josh Lamonaca, UK 

Runner-Up – Luigi Guardascione, Italy 

 

Avant Garde 

Winner –  Tan Wei Jun, Malaysia 

Runner-Up – Yu Zhuwen, China 

The show was also a visual feast, featuring breathtaking creative films from 11 visionary artists, showcasing work from countries like Australia, Japan, and Ukraine. A heartfelt message from Trevor Sorbie MBE, a hairdressing legend and honorary patron, moved the audience, as he reflected on the importance of creativity and the event’s noble cause of raising funds for leukaemia research. The show also paid tribute to the late Vidal Sassoon, celebrating 70 years of his pioneering influence in hairdressing, with a special appearance from Mark Hayes, international creative director of Vidal Sassoon. 

Of course, no Alternative Hair Show would be complete without its headline artists – 14 of the world’s top talents from across the UK, Italy, South Korea, Japan, and beyond took to the stage to present their latest jaw-dropping creations. From Paul Stafford to Dmitry Vinokurov, the artistic energy was electric. 

But beyond the creativity, the Alternative Hair Show remains committed to its charitable mission. The night concluded with the presentation of a cheque for £116,000, raised in support of the Alternative Hair Charitable Foundation, Fighting Leukaemia, and Blood Cancer UK. 

With creativity, inspiration, and charity at its core, this year’s Alternative Hair Show was a truly unforgettable event, continuing its evolution as one of the most spectacular platforms in global hairdressing. 

 

Alternative Hair Show Tindard Orfici
Alternative Hair Show Sassoon
Alternative Hair Show Sanrizz
Alternative Hair Show Saco
Alternative Hair Show Rudy Mostarda
Alternative Hair Show Paul Stafford
Alternative Hair Show Marc Antoni
Alternative Hair Show KVN
Alternative Hair Show Ken Zhou
Alternative Hair Show Jaeyoung Lee
Alternative Hair Show HC Salon
Alternative Hair Show Gogen
Alternative Hair Show Anne Veck

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