A meeting of creative hairdressing minds

British Hairdressing Award winners come from a variety of backgrounds with different levels of experience and contrasting aspirations.  

One thing that they all share is that winning the Award has helped to elevate their status in the hair industry and make their names known.

We challenge winners from contrasting British Hairdressing Awards categories to quiz each other about backgrounds, styles and goals. 

Scottish Hairdresser of the Year, Tracey Devine and Southern Hairdresser of the Year, Rae Palmer

Tracey asks Rae

Q: "What effect has your award win had on your business in the last year?"

 A: "We've opened our first franchised salon and the award, with our winning collection, is displayed in the window which is fantastic for business. We've also seen quality job applications."

 Q: "Entering the British Hairdressing Awards can be a costly affair. How important is it to invest in this way?"

A: "It's essential as I always like to have my own collections and hairdressing advertised in the salon. Entering is also a motivator for the teams and creates staff loyalty."

Rae asks Tracey

Q: "What's the secret to managing four salons and having an amazing artistic output?"

A: "I spend most of my time with the business in order to make it work. The creative side is a bonus. You either have an artistic mind or you don't. I even dream of ideas in my sleep." 

Q: "What's your vision for Angels for the future?"

A: "To grow the Angels brand and give my team the chance to franchise. Hopefully,  my  team will grow  creatively  this  year,  with an  art  team  emerging next  year."

Men's Hairdresser of the Year, Jamie Stevens and Midlands Hairdresser of the Year, Emma Steven

Emma asks Jamie

Q: "What are your ambitions for the next ten years?"

A: "To open my own salon, start building the Jamie Stevens brand with products and to do more TV work. Ultimately, to win British Hairdresser of the Year, you've got to aim high!"

 

Q: "Who has inspired you throughout your hairdressing career?"

A: "My mum - she's worked full time since she was 16. And Errol Douglas - I don't know many other people that eat sleep and breathe hairdressing like he does."

Jamie asks Emma

Q: "How much has your clientele and profile increased since winning?"

A: "We've seen a huge increase in walk-in and telephone business. It's not only been fantastic for my personal profile but has given the general public confidence that I'm the best in the Midlands."

Q: "Have you got the competition bug, are you entering again?"

A: "Absolutely, winning Midlands was fantastic but to win it so soon after I'd won Newcomer of the Year was amazing. There's a lot more of Emma Steven to come!"

British Hairdresser of the Year, Akin Konizi and Newcomer of the Year, Victoria Nebbett

Victoria asks Akin

Q: "What's your advice to a newcomer in the industry?"

A: "Winning Newcomer of the Year is a huge achievement. Use it as a platform to aim even higher for your next goals. Never stop learning and don't get complacent."

Q: "What have you learnt since winning?"

A: "I don't see winning as a final destination, it's part of the journey. Remember that winning is not always the most useful thing in progressing, losing is just as valuable."

Akin asks Victoria

Q: "How has winning Newcomer of the Year furthered your career?"

A: "I've been promoted to senior style director at Monroe Hairdressing and I feel that I have a greater insight into creative hairdressing."

Q: "What are your future goals and aspiration as a rising star in the industry?"

A: "To inspire other young people in the industry through mentoring. I also want to carry on entering awards and creating new collections."

Check out all of the collections from the 2008 British Hairdressing Awards.