The Most Wanted & It List Awards 2020 – a Grand Final to remember

Talk about a game-changing year. 2020 brought the drama – and then some. With the light at the end of the tunnel finally visible, it was time to honour our 2020 winners.

There have been tears, and fears, but nothing could stop us from holding our Most Wanted and The It List 2020 Grand Final. We jumped through every hoop that Covid-19 could throw at us to bring our finalists the most EPIC experience possible!

We set about creating a mammoth filming extravaganza, broadcasting live from our planned venue, Printworks in London, as we sought to bring hairdressers up and down the UK together for a united moment to celebrate the resilience and talent of our industry. Whether they were attending in person (tested and seated separately!) or Zooming in from home with their deluxe snack pack and champagne, it was definitely a night to remember.

Most Wanted (and Creative HEAD Magazine!) turned 20 in 2020, and as such was suitably starry to commemorate this huge achievement. Host Russell Kane had his audience of stylists, colourists and industry influencers rolling in their seats with his razor-sharp wit, before the true stars of the show took to the stage to collect their prizes.

In a year that tested us beyond measure, we were thrilled to honour our talented industry – winners and nominees alike. Alas, there could only be one winner of each category, but we’ve never been more impressed by the trailblazing talents and teams seeking to change the game. We salute you!

Our 2020 winners are a representation of this unquenchable thirst for success and drive – including a brand new Legend (Zoë Irwin, queen of Creative Talent) – so bravo to the fresh-faced talents of The It List and the salons and stylists who embody all that is Most Wanted.

The future of our industry is bright indeed, judging by our It List 2020 winners. They have the vision, they have the talent – just wait and see where they go! Case in point, our Rising Star for 2020 Annabel Payne is only 20 and is already assisting the Toni&Guy international art directors. Tom Gilling graduated from Visionary 2019 to It Guy 2020, and Leah Hayden Cassidy proved that gender is no barrier in barbering as she claimed the It Girl 2020 title.

 

After a creatively thrilling hair show from It List sponsors ghd, tapping the talents of stylists Zoë Irwin, Charlotte Mensah and Adam Reed, the evening switched into high gear for the Most Wanted trophies.

From the small (Best New Boutique Salon winner Paint + Powder) to the super-salons (Best New Salon Mesart), our winners ran the full gamut. Colourful and innovative approaches to salon design made big wins – Stag in Edinburgh, Gatsby & Miller in Amersham and TINT in Leeds all flexed their creativity to bring home the crown.

So nice he won it twice – Anthony Turner scooped up the coveted Session Stylist award, after blowing viewers away with his incredible Monster Queen hair show. It all culminated in a fierce fight to the top for our Hair Icon 2020 award which saw the one, the only, Guido Palau reign supreme.

From creative colourists and runway rebels, to local salon heroes, trendsetters and business innovators – well done to each and every one of you! Thank you for your drive, your passion and for helping to push our industry to new heights! It’s certainly been a year where people have appreciated your talents perhaps more than ever.

Thank you also to our astonishingly generous sponsors, for your unwavering patience and support, and our talented judges who gave their time and years of experience to find our worthy winners.

Missed the broadcast? Watch all the highlights right here. Luckily you won’t have to wait long to get psyched up for MWIT 2021 – look out for an imminent announcement!

Meet the 2020 Most Wanted champions>

Get to know The 2020 It List>

Editor’s note: The Most Wanted and The It List Grand Final took place as a filmed, live broadcast in line with UK government and BFI TV and Film Covid-19 guidance. An extensive health & safety risk assessment was conducted by external experts and everyone on site was required to take a rapid covid-test prior to entry on set, whilst also adhering to PPE and social-distancing guidelines for the duration of the broadcast.