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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

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.

UK Talent Triumphs At Davines’ International Hair Gala

UK Talent Triumphs At Davines’ International Hair Gala

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 

We’re Jammin’… Vivid Hair and Electric Vibes At Hair Jam

We’re Jammin’… Vivid Hair and Electric Vibes At Hair Jam

We’re Jammin’… Vivid Hair And Electric Vibes At Hair Jam

BeBop hosts third live Hair Jam

by MADDI | INDUSTRY NEWS

It was an electric vibe at the third annual Hair Jam, hosted by Most Wanted Best Salon Team winners, Bebop. Thumping music and creativity oozed out onto the pavement, while inside, bright outfits and even brighter hair ramped up the thrills. Guests sipped on cocktails and wine as they mingled, soaking up the energy.

Quickly becoming a must-attend event for London’s hair community, Hair Jam was set up by Pont Smith, co-owner of Bebop, designed to create a free space for hairstylists and creatives to come together, share their passion and inspire one another.

Twelve talented stylists were invited to create live hair looks on their models, showcasing everything from vivid colour work to avant-garde styling. Among the lineup was It List Rising Star winner, D’Arcy White, as well as Tom Gear, Tanahya Grace, Kay Benes, Vodka, Luke Hawkin, Daniel Leo Stanley, Stevie Leah, Phoebe Friend, Brooke Pascarelli, Laura Wyatt, Tom Warr and Konrad Lucas.

Regis And House of Colour Win Big At Wella Professionals TrendVision Award Final

Regis And House of Colour Win Big At Wella Professionals TrendVision Award Final

Regis And House of Colour Win Big At Wella Professionals TrendVision Award Final

New venue and six epic shows round off stellar event

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

Regis and House of Colour were the big winners at the 2024 Wella Professionals TrendVision Award Final, each taking home two trophies.

Hosted by Love Island’s Laura Whitmore and Wella artist, Fergal Doyle, at Old Billingsgate on the banks of the Thames, the evening also found Scottish salon brand Medusa celebrating a win in front of a 600-plus strong audience. Interactive elements included key artists wearing Meta Glasses, offering the chance to see the event through different perspectives, such as a backstage perspective with James Earnshaw and a host’s view of the audience through Fergal Doyle.

As TrendVision celebrated its 20th anniversary, the theme of the night was ‘self-expression’. “We have celebrated more than 200 winners and each time it becomes a life changing event in their career,” said Max Amen, Wella Company general manager, UK & Ireland. TrendVision is not just about the finalists and the stylists, it’s also about the businesses that invest in education to train and elevate their teams.

Renaissance by Cobella

Six boundary pushing creative shows, offered a “window to the soul” of the artistic teams, with the stage acting as their canvas for personal storytelling. Wella’s UK & Ireland colour & trend ambassador, Jordanna Cobella, presented Renaissance, celebrating the palette of the golden hour glow through period hair, fashion and photography with contemporary embellishments.

Beyond Boundries by Sassoon

Hair at TONI&GUY

Sassoon visited 1920s Berlin and Paris in Beyond Boundaries with an immersive show that centres on three powerful colour – red, black and white. Hair at TONI&GUY’ from the high street favourite referenced their fashion heritage with a bright, colourful and diverse showcase of colour and texture.

Scandi Style Storytellers by STIL Salon

Alien Allure: A Futuristic Hair Odyssey by James Earnshaw

STIL Salon’s ‘Scandi Style Storytellers’ saw minimalism meeting something a little more bold as they played with Nordic aesthetics. James Earnshaw’s Alien Allure: A Futuristic Hair Odyssey utilised an intense colour palette, from acid-wash to vivid violets and bold blues alongside exaggerated shapes and textures,

Infinity by HOB Academy

Finally, ‘Infinity from HOB Academy also took the audience on a futuristic journey, showcasing the power of transformation. Bronzed curls, fluffed out texture and heavily straightened lengths against curled bangs delivered everything from sleek and polished to avant-garde and voluminous.

The night then switched gears with the after party, with the iconic DJ Fat Tony on the decks above a packed dancefloor.

And the winners are…

 Craft Visionary

UK: Corinne McNaughton, Medusa Bread Street

 Craft Visionary

Ireland: Alex White, House of Colour

Colour Visionary

UK: Dawid Mielnik, Regis Manchester

Colour Visionary

Ireland: Maggie Grant, House of Colour

XPOSURE Creative Colour

Skye Holford, Kleek Apprenticeships/Regis UK

The Irish Budget 2025 – What You Need To Know

The Irish Budget 2025 – What You Need To Know

The Irish Budget 2025 – What You Need To Know

From Minimum Wage Rise To A Delay in Pension Auto-Enrolment

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

A delay to the Auto-Enrolment Pension Scheme and an increase in the National Minimum Wage are among the key highlights from Ireland’s Budget 2025, revealed by Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers.

Here are the key takeaways:

The Minimum Wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour from 1 January 2025.

The Auto Enrolment Pension Scheme is not set to start in September 2025. This has been postponed from January 2025.

VAT registration threshold will rise to €42,000 from €40,000 for the supply of goods and services.

VAT for utilities – currently at 9 per cent – is extended for another six months to 30 April 2025.

Personal, Employee and Earned Income Credits will increase by €125.

The 4 per cent USC rate is reduced to 3 per cent.

The Small Benefit Exemption increases to €1,500 from €1,000. You can provide employees up to three tax-free benefits annually, as long as the combined value doesn’t exceed €1,500 and none are in cash.

The Standard Rate Cot-Off Point has been raised by €2,000 to €44,000, with proportional increases for married couples and civil partners.

Details will also follow on support for the retail and hospitality sector, with a €4,000 flat-rate payment for businesses with a rates bill below €30,000 to be launched.

You can find more details here 

Saddle Up And Style

Saddle Up And Style

Saddle Up And Style

Promotion – BaByliss PRO

BaByliss PRO is the home of iconic precision tools that empower professionals the world over to deliver dazzling looks on the daily. Always evolving, always advancing, it’s time to say howdy to its latest professional styler – STILISTA

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

Whether you’re styling urban cowboys or Dolly Parton wannabes, BaByliss PRO has a tool in its arsenal that will amplify your creativity and your results, every time. And because it’s always innovating to ensure you have exactly what you need, there’s a new tool making its home on the range…

STILISTA is an advanced professional styler that’s perfectly engineered for optimum heat and control to create flawless long-lasting styles in an instant.

Advanced Ceramic Technology gives you more power, speed and responsiveness. We’re talking faster heat up – up to 190°C in just 30 seconds! – and instant recovery to maintain a constant temperature and exceptional heat distribution over the entire surface of the plates. That means it delivers better styling and long-lasting results. Yee-haw!

 

Crafted from titanium, one of the strongest and most durable materials, floating plates deliver outstanding heat transfer for perfect straightening in just one stroke… even at lower temperatures. Its curved design and its stay cool housing gets you right into the roots, bang on for boost lift and volume. That new rounded exterior also means you can wave and curl effortlessly.

There’s a treasure trove of tech, as high-capacity ionic technology creates smoother, softer and shinier hair for a long-lasting sleek finish no one will want to hide under a Stetson.

Versatile, high-performing, impactful – STILISTA is the BaByliss PRO styler you need in your holster, whether you’re in the salon, on set or in the studio.

“Oh my goodness, wait til you get your hands on the STILISTA. This is incredible. It’s an amazing multi styling tool” Michelle Sultan, BaByliss PRO ambassador

Wherever your styling journey takes you – from Quiet Luxury to Cowboy Core and beyond – create and innovate every time with STILISTA from BaByliss PRO. Discover more at babyliss.com