Akin konizi's october highlights
Live hair shows in Italy and Mexico and mentoring the Australian F.A.M.E team were just some of the highlights of British Hairdresser of the Year Akin Konizi's busy month.
What: International Shows
Where: Italy and Mexico
When: Italy: 4th - 10th October / Mexico: 25th - 26th October
Why: "In October, I jetted off to Italy to present a huge show for one of Italy's biggest product manufacturer's Z.One Concept, as they celebrated their 10th anniversary, and to Mexico at the latter end of the month for BaByliss.
"The team and I flew out to Riccione in Italy to present a hair fashion show to an incredible 1500-strong audience.
"Taking place at the impressive Palazzo dei Congressi di Riccione, Christel Lundqvist, Darren Bain and I worked with strong disconnections, undercutting and blended clean lines with textured areas for a cutting edge finish.
"Cuts were complemented by a bold and bright colour palette, that ranged from biscuit and peach blonde tones through to vibrant reds.
"After styling the 16 models for a 90 minute show, we enjoyed an evening of glitz and glamour with a gourmet meal, an after party and entertainment by the Italian X Factor finalists.
"The end of the month saw us invited to Mexico, where we presented at the Expo Beauty Show, the biggest international hair and beauty show in South America.
"Myself, Christel and Claire Dawson put together an exclusive collection on behalf of BaByliss, giving the audience an insight into our Autumn/Winter 09 collection.
"The first day at the exhibition saw us work with a mixture of long and short hair, brought to life with a strong and vibrant colour palette incorporating dark tobaccos browns with fuschia tones and champagne blondes with rose hues.
"The following day we continued our A/W 09 theme in a more intimate three-hour long seminar, sharing HOB Salons' cut and colouring techniques and hairdressing philosophies with the awaiting audience."
What: Photographic Shoot
Where: HOB Salons, Camden
When: 15th October 2009
Why: "This month I was requested to mentor a photo shoot for the 2009 Australian F.A.M.E. Team, who flew over from down under for the shoot.
"The team members are selected annually to promote a new generation of bright young hairdressers in the industry, so it was a privilege to be called upon to direct them with their models.
"Before the shoot, the F.A.M.E Team members spent a prep day with Christel and Claire where they got their models ready for the shoot and look at the cuts they would be working with and finalising the colour palettes.
"The shoot, which I directed alongside renowned Australian photographer David Mannah, centred around on-trend 80's inspired cuts and colours.
"The short and long looks saw us work with strong lines, precision cuts and were complimented with a bold colour palette ranging from ice whites through to muted browns.
"Being able to teach and guide those coming through the industry is a big passion of mine and the day proved to be a great success with some beautiful imagery created. The 2009 Australian F.A.M.E Team were a group of talented individuals and an absolute pleasure to work with so the day proved really rewarding."
What: Salon International 2009
Where: Excel, Docklands
When: 17th October - 18th October
Why: "The biggest weekend in the hairdressing calendar, Salon International always sees hairdressers from around the globe come together to celebrate everything there is in the industry and it's great to be part of it.
"On Sunday 17th October, Christel and I presented two models on the Fellowship for British Hairdressing stage working with HOB's fundamental techniques and showcasing the cutting and colouring work we are renowned for.
"The first model sported a sleek, slimline silhouette, while model two worked with an 80s inspired heavily curled and textured style to reflect this season's hair trends.
"The exhibition also provided the chance to visit the photographic gallery and see the finalists' collections in HJ's British Hairdressing Awards 2009. As a nominee in the British Hairdresser of the Year Award, this was my first opportunity to view the other nominees collections.
"HOB Salons are short-listed in a total of four other categories at this prestigious event - London Hairdresser of the Year, Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year and Artistic Team of the Year - so it is set to be an exciting night!
"Having viewed all the competitors in the various categories I feel very proud of my team and their photographic collections. All in all a great weekend and very busy month - now it's fingers crossed for the big awards night!"
