The It List Is Live! We’re Searching For The Talents Of Tomorrow
If you’re 30 or under, make sure we find you!
by JOANNA | CONNECT
Chris Appleton… Sophia Hilton… Leigh Keates… Grace Dalgleish… Giuseppe Stelitano… Cyndia Harvey… Marlon Hawkins… Paddy McDougall… Hayden Cassidy… What have they got in common? Every single one put their name on the It List, the hottest awards event for hair talents aged 30 and under.
Question is: are you next?
Well, now is your chance because the It List 2025 is officially OPEN, with six sought-after titles waiting to be claimed. From the assistants keeping salons running smoothly to young bosses bringing it with their businesses and the session stylists making magic happen at fashion week, we’re looking for the names who are set to shape the future of British and Irish hairdressing.
Six titles – six changes to get on the It List!
The Business Builder – for a hair professional who has built a remarkable business
Open to hair professionals aged 30 or under, who have launched a business serves clients, the industry, or both.
The Editorial Stylist – for a stylist making waves backstage, in the studio or on location
Open to hair professionals aged 30 or under, whether employed, self-employed or freelance.
The Rising Star – for an impressive and fast-improving salon or barbershop assistant
Open to hair professionals who are employed at a salon or barber shop and aged 30 or under, with testimonial from the owner or manager. Entrants must have no more than three years’ experience on the floor and be educated to (or working towards) minimum NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
The Salon Stylist – for a hair stylist delivering stand-out skills behind the chair
Open to hair professionals who are employed full-time at a salon or barber shop and aged 30 or under. It is not possible to enter this category if you are the business owner.
The Visionary – for a hair professional demonstrating head-turning artistry
Open to hair professionals aged 30 or under, whether employed, self-employed or freelance.
The One to Watch – for an outstanding hair talent demonstrating all-round excellence
Open to hair professionals aged 30 or under, whether employed, self-employed or freelance.
The It List is free to enter, smashing records year on year, and we know why! It’s because the It List is a gateway to career growth, success and opportunity – winners go on to sign deals with talent agencies, boss it in business, become brand ambassadors, assist leading session stylists at global fashion weeks. Who wouldn’t want a piece of that? The hunger is real!
Last year’s It List was judged by experts including Little Mix stylist Aaron Carlo, session hairdresser Adam Garland, photographer Alex Barron-Hough and influencer Maddie Bruce, with a Grand Final held in a former Tate & Lyle sugar factory in the heart of East London attended by 650 hair artists dressed in the sleekest, wildest, gender non-conforming fashion.
And our longterm It List partner, ghd, took things to the next level, with high-tech gifts galore for the winners and a high-octane live performance that re-enacted Versace’s iconic supermodel reunion to George Michael’s ‘Freedom 90’. It was a masterclass in fashion, trend, style and fun and we LOVED IT!
Says Creative HEAD editorial director Amanda Nottage: “It is so important to our industry to support emerging talent: the trailblazers who are breaking glass ceilings, setting new standards (sometimes in ways we don’t expect) and overhauling our industry bit by bit to steer it towards a new, more exciting future. New stars need to be heard – and the It List completely cranks up the volume!”
Make your mark in 2025 by getting your name on the It List. Just like Chris, Sophia, Leigh et al, your career will go stratospheric as a result.
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