Fashion’s finest hair and beauty stars launch trade masterclass series

BY SUZIE BALL

A line-up of fashion’s most revered hair and beauty professionals will be revealing their trade secrets during a series of master classes throughout 2010. Held by Premier – a top London agency – the Trade Workshops will provide a unique opportunity for learners to improve their skill set and gain reputable insider knowledge from the world of hair, nails, skincare and make-up.

In demand by international A-list stars, at the cutting edge of the latest catwalk creations and gracing the world’s most celebrated magazine covers, this year’s leading authorities comprise of Tracie Cant (hair), Liz Pugh (make-up), Mary Greenwell (make-up), and Nichola Joss (skincare). Each will host small group classes held in a photographic studio in central London. One-to-one sessions will also be on offer with Greenwell and Joss as well as Lisa Eastwood (hair), Richard Scorer (hair) and Kelly Cornwell (make-up).

In the group sector, Greenwell’s 10-day make-up workshop (£4,700) will teach students everything from creating iconic looks to achieving the everyday appearance of Hollywood stars. Students will learn the foundation principles of make-up and colour as well as the history, techniques, artistry and creativity of the profession.

Meanwhile, hairdressers can learn to create avant-garde creations during Tracie Cant’s three-day professional trade workshop (£1,500). Students will be introduced to the world of high fashion editorial hairstyling through the expert’s personal experiences of working directly with some of the world’s top magazines.

Nail techs can also benefit from Joss’s one-day nail workshop (£375); the expert’s masterclass will involve discussion and practical advice on the art of nails, including the basics of nail care and maintenance.

Tel: 0207 221 2333 Premier beautyworkshop.com

Judgment day: Akin Konizi triumphs for second year in a row as British Hairdresser of the Year

Hairdresser’s win scores Hob Salons a hat trick at ceremony hosted by Dermot O’Leary

Reigning Hairdresser of the Year Akin Konizi has defended his title by scooping the accolade for the second consecutive year at a glittering awards ceremony in London.

It was a successful evening for the Hob Salons group where the hairdresser is international creative director. The company claimed a further two top awards with creative team member Darren Bain named as London Hairdresser of the Year and its visionaries triumphing in the Artistic Team category.

The awards ceremony, regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the hair industry, is now in its twenty-fifth year of recognising the best the British have to offer. With 16 gongs up for grabs, each category is chosen anonymously – apart from Hairdresser of the Year where nominees are short listed – based on individual photograph collection entries.

Konizi’s winning imagery was inspired by the hedonism of Studio 54 and dangerous decadence of the mid ‘70s and early ‘80s. “My monochrome collection combines geometric cuts and anti-head shapes with soft curls and structure for a beautiful finish,” he says. “Merging strength with beauty, I hope this collection captured the judging panel with its fashion-led style and the beautifully executed hairdressing I aimed to create.”

Also a winner on the evening, Darren Ambrose of D&J Ambrose stole the Avant Garde crown for the third time in his career. Meanwhile Rush London’s Chris Williams, based in Croydon, won Colour Technician of the Year; Michelle Thompson from the Francesco Group Advanced Academy claimed the Afro Hairdresser award and the Newcomer of the Year went to Shaun Hall from Mark Leeson Hair Body and Mind in Mansfield. Desmond Murray of Atherton Cox in London also took home a coveted award for Men’s Hairdresser of the Year.

Other regional British Hairdressing Award winners for 2009 were Leo Bancroft for Southern, Terri Kay from Mark Leeson for Eastern, James Whyte from Soul Hair for the Midlands, Susan Peake of Ethos for North Western, Ken Picton for Wales and the South West, Janer Stewart of Angels for Scottish and Kevin Kahan for Northern Ireland.

The ceremony was held at Park Lane’s Grosvenor House Hotel and hosted by X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary.

The Fellowship celebrates a year of hair industry greats

The Fellowship for British Hairdressing held its twenty-fifth Luncheon and Awards last month at London’s grand Dorchester Hotel. Attended by 400 industry insiders - including hairdressers, salon owners and product house representatives – the afternoon was a celebration of the British hair world at its very best.

Fellowship president Steven Goldsworthy and chancellor Mark Creed hosted the event, which saw recognition given to those that had made a mark in the previous 12 months. Hair Ambassador of the Year went to Andrew Barton, whose acceptance speech included a plea to hairdressers to support his crusade to get 70 per cent of the industry registered with the Hairdressing Council. Meanwhile, Sean Hanna was named Group Salon of the Year and Kirsty Johns won the Umberto Giannini Project X Student of the Year accolade.

Special prizes were given to longstanding members of the Fellowship, including Metropolis’ Robert Masciave who received a Fellow with Honours and Alan Hemmings, whose 49-year stint as a hair educator was met with a Fellow with Distinction. Peter Collinge was also the first person to take home a Gold Medal since Josh Galvin in 2006.

The afternoon came to an emotional climax as members of the F.A.M.E Team were named for the year as Ben Moth, Kim Rance, Ross Taylor and Olive Tucker. The quartet will represent the Fellowship in 2010, hoping to follow in the footsteps of previous members that include the likes of Antoinette Beenders and Errol Douglas.

Toni Rizzo was given the Lifetime Achievement award for his hair career, which includes founding the Sanrizz salon group and the Alternative Hair Show charity. And finally, recognised for his highly technical cutting expertise, Fellowship Hairdresser of the Year went to hair icon Tim Hartley.

Elemis celebrates 20-year milestone

British luxury brand Elemis invited a selection of press and retailers to a luncheon last month to celebrate its 20-year anniversary. Held in London, the company’s founders MD Sean Harrington, director of product and treatment development Noella Gabrielle and international marketing director Oriele Frank gave historical accounts of the company’s journey - from its humble beginning to its reign as one of the biggest spa beauty brands on the globe today.

The new few months will see some exciting revelations for the company, with plans to launch a travelling luxury Elemis Spa Bus to spread the brand’s message to festival and event goers across the UK this summer. Gabrielle has also been helping develop its first signature perfume, set to launch early this year, based on the product line’s list of decadent essential oils and natural ingredients.

But to mark its two successful decades in the industry, the Elemis team unveiled a special edition Skin Nourishing Milk Bath – one of its best selling product since 1990 - presented in a glass decanter based on its original design. Available from next month, £1 from every sale will be donated to the Mothers2Children charity, providing support for children and young people in need.