The gloves were off and the scissors were out when the biggest event in the hairdressing calendar rolled into town on Monday. The 25th British Hairdressing Awards, hosted this year by TV’s Dermot O’Leary, was held at London Park Lane’s Grosvenor House Hotel bringing together fresh new talents and established members of the industry to celebrate and honour the very best in British hairdressing.
The night belonged to hob salons who enjoyed a hat trick win for the second year running, and saw their International Creative Director, Akin Konizi presented with the prestigious 2009 British Hairdresser of the Year award.
“I couldn’t believe it when my name was called out, I was overwhelmed and delighted – winning the title is a dream come true,” said an ecstatic Konizi on winning his converted title. He now joins the 15 top British hairdressers who have been awarded this title including Trevor Sorbie, John Frieda, Andrew Collinge, Nicky Clarke, Charles Worthington, Umberto Giannini, Beverly C and Mark Hill.
Hairdressers from all over the UK are invited to enter and compete with the biggest names in the industry in one of sixteen categories; nine regional categories covering all areas of the UK, six specialist categories, the Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year and British Hairdresser of the Year. Demonstrating skills and talents judged independently by a panel of distinguished figures, any hairdresser within the UK can make their mark and have their profile significantly increased to match that of their idols.
Winners of the 2009 British Hairdressing Awards:
British Hairdresser of the Year 2009 – Akin Konizi, hob salons
Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year – Darren Ambrose, D&J Ambrose, Middlesex
Men’s Hairdresser of the Year – Desmond Murray, Atherton Cox, London
Afro Hairdresser of the Year – Michelle Thompson, Francesco Group Advanced Academy, Stafford
Artistic Team of the Year – hob salons, London
Newcomer of the Year – Shaun Hall, Mark Leeson Hair Body & Mind, Mansfield
Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year – Chris Williams, Rush London, Croydon
London Hairdresser of the Year - Darren Bain, hob salons, London
