5 minutes with... angelo vallillo

Angelo Vallillo at Zullo and Holland won HJ's Eastern Hairdresser of the Year at the 2014 British Hairdressing Awards. Here we find out what it meant to win. How did you feel when you finalised for the award? To hear you have been named as a finalist brings huge satisfaction. The morning of the day the announcements are due is the hardest part. You want it so badly that you cannot even consider any other outcome. Reaching the finals of such a prestigious award and having my work appear alongside the best in the industry is also a great honour for me, the team and the salon. How did it feel when you were announced as the winner of your category? The overwhelming feeling on winning Eastern Hairdresser of the Year was relief. Leading up to it, I could think of nothing but winning. My goal from the outset was always to win, not just once, but three times to gain a place in the Hall of Fame. This time round was even better than the first win – retaining the title was massive and one of the best feelings ever in my hairdressing career so far. What is the value of winning a British Hairdressing Award for yourself, your team and your clients? The value for me is incredible. I have the chance to go down as one of the greats in my industry, and that to me is priceless. It's also great for business, my training academy and my team. It gives us status and increases respect among clients, boosts everyone’s confidence and opens fresh opportunities. What personal advice would you give to your peers who are thinking of entering the awards? If you are thinking of entering, work hard to make sure you can be up there with the best. I was honing my skills doing three shoots a year for four years before I entered as I wanted to be sure my work could compete. Also ensure you are in charge of all aspects of your entry. And remember, it's all about the hair! Check out Angelo's winning collection below! [hji-gallery-legacy]