explore news CONVERSATIONS HEADER Creative head x authentic beauty concept techniques header inform home inform freelance content connect home connect inform header home explore documents header creative projects header
Want To Work At London Fashion Week? Karoliina Saunders Has The Answer

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

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.

 

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 

How Freelancers Can Get Greener

How Freelancers Can Get Greener

How Freelancers Can Get Greener

Anne Veck and Keith Mellen, winners of Most Wanted Sustainable Hero 2021 & 2022, update their sustainability toolkit for independent stylists

by CAITLYN | CONNECT

Who says going green costs more? Anne Veck and Keith Mellen are here to bust that myth with their freshly revamped sustainability toolkit, tailor-made for freelance stylists, solo hairdressers and those based in co-working spaces. Not only is this toolkit packed with eco-friendly tips, but it’s also a surefire way to save money, boost profits and make your business stand out. 

Their latest offering is a re-imagined, freely downloadable toolkit packed with practical tips and advice on how to make your hairdressing routine greener without compromising on quality or style. 

This tool is designed to help stylists adopt eco-friendly practices that reduce waste, save energy and minimise their carbon footprint. It offers suggestions for quick wins, like reducing water usage or switching to sustainable products, as well as next steps for those ready to make bigger changes, like switching to green energy suppliers or adopting more ethical haircare brands. 

Whether you’re just starting your green journey or looking for fresh ideas to build on your existing eco-conscious approach, this toolkit is a must-have. It’s all about small, manageable changes that, together, can make a big difference. 

Find the FREE, downloadable PDF here

Continue Reading

No Results Found

The posts you requested could not be found. Try changing your module settings or create some new posts.

Fellowship for British Hairdressing Announces Project Scotland

Fellowship for British Hairdressing Announces Project Scotland

Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Announces Project Scotland, Leading the Charge to Elevate Scottish Hairdressers

This new project is going to be Scotland’s premier platform for creative hair professionals—offering education, exposure, and the tools to transform the industry.

by CAITLYN | INFORM

Project Scotland, in partnership with The Fellowship for British Hairdressing, is designed to showcase and elevate the very best of Scottish hairdressing talent. The new initiative will offer a programme packed with eight education days and an exclusive photoshoot, allowing participants to delve into every aspect of hair artistry—from cutting and colouring to styling and beyond.  

Applications for the programme open on 14 October, before closing on 11 November. This exciting opportunity is perfect for any hairdresser looking to take their hairdressing craft to the next level.

What truly sets Project Scotland apart is its commitment to supporting homegrown talent. Each participant will have the chance to work alongside Scotland’s top hair professionals, learning from their expertise while sharpening their own abilities. Whether it’s through photoshoots, stage time at prestigious events like HairCon Manchester, or the Project Grand Finale, team mentees will have ample opportunities to showcase their skills in front of live audiences. 

Leading the charge for Project Scotland is the managing director of Medusa, Scotland’s fastest-growing salon group, known for its six innovative salons and a cutting-edge academy. As Wella UK style director and global business mentor, he brings unparalleled expertise in both creative cutting and business education, with a mission to champion Scotland’s talent and shape the future of global hairdressing. 

But it’s not just about stage lights and applause, Project Scotland is about growing the next generation of hair professionals, empowering them to push boundaries and contribute to Scotland’s thriving hairdressing scene. The programme offers a real-world platform for putting new techniques into practice, allowing mentees to create, experiment, and grow. 

Whether you’re a rising star in cutting, colouring, or styling, this is your opportunity to elevate your craft and join a community that values innovation and artistry. Become part of the next wave of Scottish hairdressing talent. 

For more information on how to apply, click here.  

Continue Reading

No Results Found

The posts you requested could not be found. Try changing your module settings or create some new posts.

How K18 Changed The Way We Think About Hair

How K18 Changed The Way We Think About Hair

“The Science Came First. We Built The Brand From There.” How K18 Changed The Way We Think About Hair

Suveen Sahib had no experience in the haircare industry, but he was curious. And that’s how he came to create K18, the biotech ‘miracle’ product line that’s paving the way for the future of haircare, and much more.

by CATHERINE | CONVERSATIONS

Of all the incredible things there are to say about K18, the product line that promises to restore chemically damaged hair to a near virgin-like state in just four minutes, perhaps the most remarkable is that it was created on a computer.

Yes, K18 was developed (you may want to take a deep breath here) by applying computational models with probabilistic structure/sequence analogy used in the biotech industry to the molecular structure of human hair. Clever stuff, right? Well, luckily for those of us who could read that sentence 20 times and still not understand a word, there’s another way of telling the story.

Back in 1990, US-based tech entrepreneur’s Suveen Sahib’s wife, Britta Cox, had founded Aquis hair towels and turbans, harnessing water-wicking technology to deliver a better way to dry. Suveen was reading some of the customer reviews one day and noticed they were saying things like, “This towel makes my hair less frizzy” or “It gives me better texture”, which he found puzzling because the towel wasn’t adding anything to the hair. He decided to look more closely at the structure of hair and realised that what looks like a fibre on the outside is actually a highly sophisticated biological composite. “The hair towel worked because it understood the biology of hair,” he said. “It absorbed water faster and in a way that meant you didn’t have to move it around so much, and that meant hair didn’t get tangled. But why does hair get tangled in the first place? That took me down the rabbit hole into realising that this wasn’t just about hair drying or hair, it was about beauty in general.”

Suveen Sahib

After talking to Britta about her experience of the hair industry, Suveen concluded that most hair products and routines have only resulted in “needy hair” – hair needy for attention and needy for products. “If you think about it, the entire genesis of beauty has been in cosmetic chemistry, and cosmetic chemistry has created great outcomes – hair colour, make-up, hair styling.  But cosmetic chemistry does not understand biology, so when it comes to repairing hair it’s not the optimal toolkit,” he says. Fuelled by his passion for “less is more”, Suveen quit his job and devoted himself to learning everything he could about the biology of hair.

“Hair is made up of millions of molecular chains like inter-connected ladders running along the length,” he says. “But hair was never designed by nature to have chemical services applied to it, like perms, straightening, colour – these are what cause the keratin chains to break. For 10 years I worked with a team of biochemists reassembling and synthesising every possible sequence inside the hair to figure out what kind of sequence could not just reconnect these chains but also contribute cysteine to the broken bonds and bind with the keratin-associated proteins, because that’s what makes the matrix of hair inside. And we found 18 was the optimal peptide; it restored the molecular chains and brought hair back to its natural elasticity and strength. In pharma, you create a molecule and then you create a delivery system to deliver the molecule for a targeted outcome. For K18 we took a very similar approach and that’s why it was born on a computer, not in the formulation lab.”

Having tested different variations of actual formulations with Australian hairstylists (“That was the eureka moment, when we saw the joy on their faces at how good hair felt after applying the treatment; we knew then that all those theoretical models had translated into a product that actually worked”), in December 2020, with their K18Peptide trademarked and their formulation perfected, Suveen and Britta launched K18 Biomimetic Hairscience as an in-salon professional service that went beyond hair repair to restore chemically damaged hair to near virgin-like strength and resilience. The fact that the world was in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic did not deter them. Rather, the pair turned it to their advantage, using social media to spread the word among professional stylists who were desperate for something new and positive.

“I deeply believe that professional hairstylists were our guiding light,” recalls Suveen. “People were saying to me, ‘Go online, sell it via retail’, but to me it was non-negotiable that we would sell through salons. And in certain countries, salons were still open; in the Nordic countries and Australia – they closed much later. So, we were able to send our products out to them and we encouraged them to use it on their own hair, to tell us how they felt about it, and that’s how the conversations started. And the other thing was that, thanks to the pandemic, stylists were now using Zoom. We did thousands upon thousands of Zooms with stylists across the world, introducing them to K18 and why it should be a part of their life. And a big part of that was education – we were the first to socialise a 3-D model of hair and share it with stylists – and that’s where they started appreciating our biotechnology. And the fact was, the product experience, the tactile experience, that all matched up in their own hands.”

Within 18 months of launch, the K18 in-salon treatment had reached 20,000 salons in more than 100 countries – effectively an overnight sensation. Stylists loved its simplicity. They loved that it worked in four minutes. And Suveen loved them right back. “I was spending time with stylists and I fell in love with that community of artists. And one of the things that stood out was the struggle they faced in coming out of the pandemic and having hundreds of products in stock – none of that made sense to me. I want stylists to focus more on their artistry than anything else. They want to be able to do it simply. They want predictability. They want to be able to make more money. So, simplifying that life became something very, very important to me.”

In 2021, after a hugely successful year of trading through the professional channel (the business was profitable within its first quarter), K18 launched its bond-building Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask with high street retailer Sephora, with an accompanying #K18hairflip challenge on TikTok generating more than 11.2 billion views. The move instantly turned K18 into a best-selling hair care brand at the beauty retailer, but what did this shift away from the salon mean for stylists?

“People were saying to me, ‘Go online, sell it via retail’, but to me it was non-negotiable that we would sell through salons”

“One thing we realised is that as a stylist, you’re often the first to introduce a product to a client, and the conversation can get heavy if the consumer doesn’t know about it, because it feels like you’re trying to sell it and that wears you down,” says Suveen. “Stylists told us they love it when there’s a product that consumers are telling them about because they’ve seen it on social media, or whatever. That makes the conversation easier and it starts bringing traffic to the stylist’s chair.

“We’d also created K18 to use as a salon service when hair is being coloured. But what about post-colour? A client can wash her hair 20, 30 times between salon visits and coloured hair is more susceptible to UV damage. So, we realised we needed to keep a client’s hair in a reasonable state so that when she returns to the salon you can improve it even more because K18 is progressive. But this was not about driving retail, this was about driving the advocacy flywheel, which works both ways.”

Nevertheless, in December 2023, after just three years in business, Suveen and Britta sold K18 to Unilever for an undisclosed (but presumably rather large) sum. Now expanded with a line of shampoos retailing at £39 and a hair oil at £65, K18 will sit within Unilever Prestige, a tight edit of 10 premium beauty brands, including Dermalogica, Living Proof and Hourglass.

The K18 range has expanded and is now owned by Unilever

“K18 is a fast-growing brand that sits at the intersection of beauty and biotechnology,” said Vasiliki Petrou, executive vice president of Unilever Prestige, at the time. “It has been a pioneer of using social media to educate and engage consumers about the science of hair. This acquisition complements our fast-growing portfolio of premium, culturally relevant consumer brands.”

But what does this mean for Suveen and Britta? “I continue to be CEO,” says Suveen, “and I will continue to steer our destiny for many years to come. And if you think about it, it was too early. There is still so much that’s happening within K18 and there’s still so much to come. And that’s what excites me, what we at K18 can bring to the table and what we can learn from Unilever. Because we were global, literally from day one, and you realise there are things that you don’t know and that’s where Unilever come in with a very strong set of complementary capabilities, which are going to be important if K18 is to become a billion-dollar brand.” 

While Suveen is confident that Unilever will allow K18 to continue to focus their attention on small independent businesses (“What I love about Unilever is they appreciate a brand and that its ecosystem needs to be nurtured – that freedom, that oxygen that brands like us need”), the challenge he sees moving forward will be “re-architecting” the way we work with our hair. 

“Stylists told us they love it when there’s a product that consumers are telling them about because they’ve seen it on social media… that makes the conversation easier and it starts bringing traffic to the stylist’s chair”

“The haircare industry continues to stay rooted in the way it’s always been. The relationship with hair they’ve created is all about control. Controlling frizz, controlling the style. For me, it needs to shift to understanding hair and working with it because that’s how you can impact real change and see the results people want. Less is more for your hair and less is what healthy hair really needs, but the current conversation is driven by an industry with tens of thousands of products which further drives over-consumption and waste. I ultimately want to see the product offering cut by half. The number of resources hair consumes on a daily basis is not good for people, their hair, the planet, or their wallet.

“I believe K18 is leading this revolution already — to offer the technology and science that allows people to own their relationship with their hair in a new way. We take care of our silk shirts and cashmere sweaters with immense care, but what about our hair? We need to apply that same philosophy of care. If hair is one of our most precious resources, are we thinking through the way we wash it, the way we dry it, the wear we put it through, the way we feed it? Hair mindfulness is a new way to think about our routine and in that we can unlock confidence that wasn’t possible until now. To truly liberate expression.”