British hairdresser of the year akin konizi's january highlights
After a very successful end to 2008, when he was named British Hairdresser of the Year, it's been a busy start to 2009 for Akin Konizi.
There have been overseas seminars to present as well as the first glimpse of Paris Hilton's British Best Friend on ITV2, of which the majority of the first episode was filmed at hob Salons in Camden.
Akin is currently busy preparing models with hob colourist, Christel Lundqvist, for a UK tour to promote the Wella Professionals Trend Vision Award 09 in February.
In the meantime, here are his highlights of an action-packed January.
What: Look & Learn seminar for z.one concept
Where: Milan, Italy
When: 9 January 09
Why: An audience of 250 hairdressers were waiting to see the British Hairdresser of the Year in action at the seminar, which helps to promoter hob education abroad. Akin's presentation worked with classic techniques, strong lines and lots of interior texture, to reflect the work he is renowned for.
Akin says: 'After a lovely Christmas break, it was straight back into the thick of it in January and off to Milan. It was really essential to get across the essence of the hob brand at this seminar as these people will be out there securing students for courses at the hob academy. Getting to showcase my work on an international platform is always extremely rewarding and with my new title of British Hairdresser of the Year, I felt incredibly proud.'
What: Wella Professionals Educational Seminar
Where: Rome, Italy
When: 18 & 19 January 09
Why: Akin, along with hob salons' head technical educator, Christel Lundqvist, and Darren Bain, a member of the winning Artistic Team of the Year, put on a Look and Learn Seminar at the Wella Studios Roma. The 150-strong audience were inspired by looks incorporating strong disconnections working with short curvatures into sweeping fringes. The colour palette reflected spring summer 09 trends: fuchsia reds, glazed strawberries and electric peach
Akin says: 'Back to London from Milan and straight back to Italy again, but this time Rome and with my team. There seems to be a lot of demand for British hairdressers in Italy at the moment and the seminars in Rome proved to be really successful and both the team and I really enjoyed it. Although it was a non-stop weekend, we got some fantastic feedback from the audience, which keeps us really motivated and they seemed inspired by the work we demonstrated, which is so rewarding."
What: British Hairdressing Awards Winners' Luncheon
Where: The Ivy, London
When: 28 January 09
Why: Invited along with fellow winners of HJs British Hairdressing Awards 2008, including colleagues Christel Lundqvist, British Colour Technician of the Year and Claire Dawson who represented the hob salons' creative team for Artistic Team of the Year. This was a chance to catch up with industry friends, reflect on the British Hairdressing Awards and congratulate hairdressing peers on their achievements.
Akin says: "The winner's lunch is a real highlight and being invited as the British Hairdresser of the Year was fantastic, although admittedly slightly surreal. A great choice of venue, the food was exceptional and being able to enjoy the day with some of my team and celebrate our other two incredible wins with the rest of the winners made for a fantastic day."
