New Year, New Business Goals
New Year, New Business Goals
Calling all salon and barbershop owners! Book for Creative HEAD’s business networking event and set yourself up for a brilliant year ahead
by JOANNA | CONNECT
The business of hairdressing is challenging – perhaps now more than ever. But one thing is certain: you do not need to go it alone. In fact, togetherness is the beating heart of Salon Smart, Creative HEAD’s business networking event.
Now it its 19th year, Salon Smart aims to serve and support salon and barbershop owners and managers across the UK and Ireland, offering unique insight, sharing experiences, and providing endless opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals. Large or small, urban or rural, established or newly launched – the one-day event agenda is abuzz with fresh information, advice and inspiration for every business. And the community spirit is second to none.
Taking place in London on Monday 7 April, a ticket to Salon Smart costs £100 plus VAT (£80 plus VAT for newsletter subscribers), and guarantees access to a schedule of candid talks given by industry innovators, debates on big topics, interactive and live Q&A sessions, and the hair and business brands that could transform the way you work. A hot and delicious lunch plus coffee and cake breaks will ensure you’ll feel satiated and supercharged to absorb every second!
But don’t just take our word for it, these are the words of one satisfied Salon Smart attendee: “Every salon owner needs a pick me up! Today lifted me to the moon. So much great content to take away and digest, then spring it all into action.”
Relaxed, inclusive and relevant for right now, if you want to build a better business, get to Salon Smart.
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Who’s The 2024 Fellowship Hairdresser Of The Year?
Who’s The 2024 Fellowship Hairdresser Of The Year?
Annual Luncheon and Awards also unveils new FAME Team for 2025
by AMANDA | INDUSTRY NEWS
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 Award winner, Suzie McGill, with Ashleigh Hodges
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
Snapshot Image of the Year Award winner, Giuseppe Stelitano, with Ashleigh and Lisa Farrall
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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The 42nd Alternative Hair Show Went Out With A Bang
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
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 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.
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 line–up 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.
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