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Who’s The 2024 Fellowship Hairdresser Of The Year?

Who’s The 2024 Fellowship Hairdresser Of The Year?

Dec 3, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

Who’s The 2024 Fellowship Hairdresser Of The Year?

Annual Luncheon and Awards also unveils new FAME Team for 2025 

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

Hairdresser of the Year Suzie McGill

2024 Fellowship Award winners

Suzie McGill scooped Hairdresser of the Year while Nicky Clarke OBE took home a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Fellowship for British Hairdressing annual Luncheon and Awards. 

Held at The Londoner, president Ashleigh Hodges hosted with help from vice president, Michelle Griffin, and Project X leader, Lisa Farrall, announcing two more Centres of Excellence and a progression into Europe with its Projects initiative, following the launch of Project Scotland this year. 

The 450-plus guests also learned of the new Ann Herman Scholarship, the announcement of the new Fellowship Youth Board and plans for 2025, including their Net Zero and Safe Space initiatives, ahead of revealing their roster of award winners, including the reveal of the 2025 FAME Team. 

Hairdresser of the Year Suzie McGill

Hairdresser of the Year Award winner, Suzie McGill, with Ashleigh Hodges

Lifetime Achievement Nicky Clarke

Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Nicky Clarke, with Ashleigh and past president, Robert Eaton

And the winners are… 

Fellowship Hairdresser of the Year – Suzie McGill, Rainbow Room International 

Fellowship Lifetime Achievement Award – Nicky Clarke OBE 

2025 FAME Team, mentored by Christel Barron-Hough – Sam Bickle, ARKIVE by Adam Reed; Stevie-Leah Loscombe, Blue Tit; Bekki Delehedy, Dot Hair; Annie Franklin, Prestige Hair 

Hall of FAME Award – Josh Goldsworthy  

The Trevor Sorbie Award for Creative and Commercial Innovation – Kelly Rowney 

Community Hero – Laura Leigh Kerr, Rainbow Room International   

President’s Award – Stewart Roberts, Haircuts 4 Homeless 

Member of the Year – Billy Ryan, Tribe Salons  

 

Snapshot Image of the Year – Giuseppe Stelitano, Trevor Sorbie, London 

Men’s Image of the Year – Sam Elliot, Toni&Guy, Covent Garden, London 

Colour Image of the Year – RUSH Artistic Team  

Afro Image of the Year – Cos Sakkas, Toni&Guy Academy, London 

International Image Award – Antoinette Beenders, Aveda, USA 

Image of the Year – Cos Sakkas, Toni&Guy Academy, London 

 

Independent Business of the Year – Stā Studios  

Salon Business of the Year – Medusa 

Barber Business of the Year – RW Wolf Barbers 

Educator of the Year – Laura Leigh Kerr, Rainbow Room International  

Session Stylist of the Year – Nick Irwin  

Lifetime Achievement Nicky Clarke

Snapshot Image of the Year Award winner, Giuseppe Stelitano, with Ashleigh and Lisa Farrall

FAME TEAM 2025 copy

2025 FAME Team – Sam Bickle, ARKIVE by Adam Reed; Stevie-Leah Loscombe, Blue Tit; Bekki Delehedy, Dot Hair; Annie Franklin, Prestige Hair, with mentor Christel Barron-Hough

Achiever of the Year Awards:  

Clubstar Art Team – Jess Dennis, Tate Hair 

Project Colour – Amelia Krasinski, KH Hair  

Project X – Lucy Melvin, Diamond Appearance 

Project Men & Media – Kieran Martin, Charter Cutting Company  

Project Sassoon – Callum Bate-Siney, William & Mary Hair & Beauty  

Project Afro – Nataša Stantić Brajović, Andrew Jose  

Project Extend – Jade Miles, Voila Hair Studio 

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Hunter Collective Closes

Hunter Collective Closes

Dec 2, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

Hunter Collective Closes

As freelancing numbers increase and more co-working spaces launch, the early pioneer closes its brand 

by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS

Lacey Hunter-Felton

Arguably the space that pioneered the trend towards high-end co-working membership, the Hunter Collective has closed its doors.  

Originally unveiled in 2017 by stylist and co-founder, Lacey Hunter-Felton, the brand offered not only co-working membership to freelancers at its Clerkenwell and Spitalfields sites in London, but also a ‘brand neutral’ space for hire that delivered event, education and pop-up opportunities to a host of hair labels and manufacturers.  

‘’I feel very proud of what we’ve achieved as a Collective; our Members and our HCTeam have shown guts and compassion beyond expectation,” said Lacey in a statement. “I am proud of myself, as a hairdresser, stepping out from behind the chair eight years ago, backing myself with the launch of a new way of working, that has enabled so many hairdressing friends to find their own feet and find their own paths.” 

The Hunter Collective hub.

While she has not shared her specific reasons for closing the brand, competition within London has grown fierce, with luxe co-working membership offerings from Electric Space, Stā Studios and Williams & Hirst among them. 

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Recent Ringworm Cases Raise The Question: Is Hygiene A Growing Issue In Barber Shops?

Recent Ringworm Cases Raise The Question: Is Hygiene A Growing Issue In Barber Shops?

Nov 28, 2024 | HOME INFORM, INDUSTRY NEWS, INFORM, INFORM HEADER

Recent Ringworm Cases Raise The Question: Is Hygiene A Growing Issue In Barber Shops? 

Reports of ringworm infections linked to barbers have reignited debates about hygiene practices and industry regulation. 

by MADDI | INDUSTRY NEWS

michael-demoya-Q82AM6BWBPM-unsplash

Mike Taylor, owner of Mike Taylor Education barbering academy in Poole, has denounced “cheap, dirty, unqualified barber shops” to BBC News after seeing “loads of cases” of young male clients catching ringworm after barber visits. 

“I’d say 70 per cent to 80 per cent of clients coming in ask for skin fades. To get that effect you’ve got to use the foil clipper, but the problem is it takes in hair and it needs to be thoroughly cleaned,” he told the BBC, while one Bournemouth local and barber shop regular, Christian Reynolds, experienced the consequences of poor hygiene firsthand. “I felt annoyed because, after researching, I realised it was due to improper practice and not cleaning equipment properly,” Reynolds said to the BBC.  

Taylor’s outburst has shone a spotlight on the responsibility of barbers maintaining hygiene levels. “The close proximity of clippers to the skin creates an ideal environment for fungal infections,” said Miles Wood-Smith, master barber and creative director of Murdock London. “Ensuring tools are sterilised and promoting good aftercare for clients is crucial.” 

Gareth Penn Headshot

Gareth Penn

Gareth Penn, registrar at The Hair and Barber Council, pushes for stricter standards as part of its ongoing mandate for registration for hairdressing and barbering. Penn argues that the rise in infections also reflects broader industry challenges. As the number of barber shops increases – 663 more shops in 2023 according to the Local Data Company – price competition forces some establishments to cut costs, often at the expense of hygiene standards or proper training.  
 
“The high street is depleting, it’s dying and then suddenly there’s 12 barber shops on the same street and they’re all trying to go a little bit cheaper than each other,” added Mike. “If the prices have to be knocked down then something else has to go and maybe it is all the time spent cleaning the equipment or the time spent getting the proper knowledge.” Increasing costs following the October Budget will also add pressure. 

Charles Rose, 2023 Business Builder winner at the 2023 It List awards and founder of barber shop/grooming brand Crate Cheshire, called for a renewed focus on education. “Now that this issue is being spoken about more widely, I hope it will encourage barber shops to prioritise cleanliness and prevent further cases of ringworm,” he said.  

With ringworm now being discussed more openly, there’s pressure on barbering to increase hygiene levels and training to safeguard clients. As Penn concludes, “Prevention is far easier than treatment, and it’s time we made consumer safety a priority.” 

Charles Rose Crate

Charles Rose

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“We’re Curating Something Special Here” – Inside The Noir, Edgy Revamp Of Josh Wood’s Atelier

“We’re Curating Something Special Here” – Inside The Noir, Edgy Revamp Of Josh Wood’s Atelier

Nov 27, 2024 | CREATIVE PROJECTS, CREATIVE PROJECTS HEADER, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

“We’re Curating Something Special Here” – Inside The Noir, Edgy Revamp Of Josh Wood’s Atelier

A decade on, the iconic Notting Hill salon has transformed into a sleek, modern space with
a bold vision – blending high-end design, artistic flair and next-level support for its talented team.

by MADDI | CREATIVE PROJECTS

Josh Wood_Maria Stavang
Josh Wood_Maria Stavang
Josh Wood_Maria Stavang
Josh Wood_Maria Stavang

A decade after its initial launch, the Josh Wood Atelier has enjoyed not only an interior refresh but a business rethink, too. Design group West and Vittori were brought on board to elevate the space. “I wanted it to look slick, stripped back, modern,” says Josh. “It’s a little more noir, slightly edgier. We’ll be hosting art and flower installations, so we need to have a backdrop that can keep evolving.” His favourite element? A pink quartz underlit table in the colour room: “It glows,” he whispers, describing it as his pièce de résistance. “It took some doing with engineers because those quartz bricks are quite heavy. It was a labour of love.” 

This transformation wasn’t just aesthetic; it reflects a shift in the Atelier’s ethos. Josh explains, “We wanted to think about the next five to ten years and what the industry might look like. It’s about creating a much cleaner, crisper space – a blank canvas – using very high-quality furniture and materials. The design before was quite full-on and we pared it back to focus on timeless functionality.” 

Located in Notting Hill, just behind Holland Park tube station, the Atelier aims to strike a balance between its international reputation and a local salon feel. “A lot of our clients are high-profile or high-net-worth individuals, and their image is incredibly important. But they don’t see hair as separate from their overall look – it’s about the full picture,” he explains. “So, we think about how they’re going to look and feel at the end – whether they need brows, lashes, nails or make-up. We’re a one-stop shop for incredibly time-starved clients.” 

Josh Wood_Maria Stavang
Josh Wood_Maria Stavang
Josh Wood_Maria Stavang

The redesign also prioritised flexibility, allowing the space to evolve over time. “The upstairs floor, for example, used to feel more curated with old furniture I’d collected – library tables from France, a black metal chest from America. Now, we’ve stripped it back so it’s more open and adaptable. I dream of hosting a sculpture exhibition up there one day,” Josh shares. 

Beyond the physical changes, the Atelier now operates more like a talent management agency, nurturing the careers of its self-employed stylists, including The It List Editorial Stylist winner Mike Mahoney. “The industry has shifted,” Josh explains. “Most people here are self-employed and running their businesses. We encourage their growth, whether that’s through creativity or building a team. We act almost like agents, helping manage both their salon clients and creative work. If someone has a big job, we’ll take care of the logistics so they can focus on their craft.” 

Clients have embraced the changes wholeheartedly. “They love the freshness and cleanness of the space,” Josh says. “But more than that, they appreciate the spirit of the business. We’re curating something special here, from partnering with Chanel for make-up at Claridge’s to introducing Bio Sculpture nails and collaborating with local food producers. It’s all about creating opportunities and taking the headache away from the team, so they can focus on what they do best – being creative.”  

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“Going Grey Is Fine If A Client Suits Grey Hair, But They Are The Exception”

“Going Grey Is Fine If A Client Suits Grey Hair, But They Are The Exception”

Nov 26, 2024 | CONVERSATIONS, CONVERSATIONS HEADER, EXPLORE, HOME EXPLORE

“Going Grey Is Fine If A Client Suits Grey Hair, But They Are The Exception”

Salon owner Gustav Fouche discusses the pros and cons of clients transitioning to grey and why ‘growing old gracefully’ isn’t the same for everyone

by KELSEY | CONVERSATIONS

bebop team members
Gustav Fouche
“I always say going grey is fine if a client suits grey hair, but they are the exception. For most people, they see ‘going grey’ as just leaving the hair to go grey naturally, which doesn’t work, because it doesn’t suit the skin tone. It requires work to make grey hair look good.”

“More and more, I see other hairdressers suggesting clients transition to grey but that massively impacts business. All of a sudden, clients think, ‘Oh, we can just leave our hair.’ It encourages them to leave the salon and do nothing with their hair going forward. The result? You have regulars who used to visit every six weeks now no longer visiting at all.”

“A lot of people discuss growing old gracefully, but what does that even mean? It’s each person’s individual wants and needs. For my clients, I encourage them to be outrageous. I love outrageous. Let’s shock the people. When people walk in the street, let them look at us, be quirky and bring out all your uniqueness. That’s what I love. If your uniqueness is to be very Chanel, then that’s fine. And if your uniqueness is to be very Alexander McQueen, then that is also okay. But let’s bring some personality, whatever level of scale that is, let’s encourage clients to show it in their looks, whatever their age.”

“Really look at your client. To give them the most flattering result possible, the perfect grey requires salon services. That may not be every six weeks, but rather an appointment every eight to 10 weeks (or at the most four times a year) to make the grey creamier, to add texture or whatever is required for them to look amazing.”

“A lot of people discuss growing old gracefully, but what does that even mean? It’s each person’s individual wants and needs.”

“We need to look at ways to keep them coming back – it’s the same for balayage clients! If you only see a client once in four months, do you realise how many clients you need to see to actually have a full diary? On a typical day, if you see six clients and they come every four months across a five-day working week, that is 30 clients. If you think of this across a four-month cycle, that’s 500 people that you need to have as clients. That is massive for a general diary, which is typically 180 clients. The reality is you would need to see double the number of clients to have the same outcome.”

Gustav with his client June

“As an industry, we need to look at how we will survive. I have grey-haired clients, but they will see me for a gloss, toner or neutralisation. They do not leave their hair to its own devices. Look at each client as an individual and see what you can do to enhance because every single client’s hair can be enhanced. And it may be very subtle. Speak to your clients – find out what they like and what they dislike – and tap into what makes them unique. The key is offering bespoke services tailored to their needs.”

Gustav’s salon

“A lot of my older clients now have a pink or purple piece in their hair, and that is the attitude that we should embrace. Let’s uplift people. Let’s take them to a place where they can stand and look and just be happy and confident. I think women are the best things ever, and we as hairdressers should celebrate them and help them grow in confidence by bringing out that inner reliance in them. I think that is is the true skill that hairdressers have.”

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