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Wella Professionals Hosts Destination 2025 In Malta

Wella Professionals Hosts Destination 2025 In Malta

Wella Professionals Hosts Destination 2025 In Malta

More than 1,000 hair pros from 52 countries meet to see reveal of new brand initiatives and trends

by AMANDA | INFORM

Wella Professionals has gathered more than 1,000 hairdressers, press and ambassadors from 52 countries in Malta to celebrate the craft, creativity and future of the salon industry at its annualcelebration Destination 2025.

A line-up of artistry on stage, hands-on education, brand experiences and trend reveals were on the menu, as Wella Professionals’ unveiled R.I.S.E. with Wella, a global platform dedicated to advancing Relationships, Inspiration, Science and Education.

Delegates from Wella’s RED club in the UK & Ireland joined the global gathering and were welcomed to Malta by Wella Company general manager UK & Ireland, Max Amen, at a gala dinner at Malta’s famous La Valette Hall. The sunset drinks reception and dinner were followed by a hair show by HOB Academy’s Akin Konizi, Nestor Sanchez and Elijah Hourrides, alongside business advice from HOB Salons chief executive, Natasha Grossman.    

HOB Academy

Jordanna Cobella

The main Destination event was hosted by Patrick Cameron, and throughout, guests were treated to immersive education sessions, brand booth explorations and the unveiling of Wella Professionals’ new global campaign, “Make It You”.

A Trend Reveal Show saw artists unveiling Surreal Color, the brand’s Autumn/Winter 2025 trend inspired by artificial intelligence and the tension between reality and fantasy. Global ambassadors, including James Earnshaw, Renya Xydis, Yuya Nara and Romeu Felipe, showcased colour and care transformations using Koleston Perfect, Ultimate Repair and more from the Wella portfolio.

Cult brand Sebastian Professional delivered session styling at its finest, courtesy of global ambassadors, Shay Dempsey and Anthony Cole, creative director Pedro Saldana, and ambassadors Angelo Vallillo and Bekki Delehedy.

There were also honours for the winners of the International TrendVision Awards from 2023 and 2024, which finished with the Make it You show, featuring hair creations from global ambassadors James Earnshaw, Nikki Lee and Romeu Felipe.

All Smiles At Salon Smart 2025

All Smiles At Salon Smart 2025

All Smiles At Salon Smart 2025

From candid talks and open Q&A to brilliant insights and exceptional support, the vibe at Creative HEAD’s business networking event was one of pure positivity. Scroll the gallery!

by JOANNE | CONNECT

New Year, New Business Goals

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.   

Get tickets >

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Who’s The 2024 Fellowship Hairdresser Of The Year?

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

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 

The 42nd Alternative Hair Show Went Out With A Bang

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 2024

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 Award

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.