Hairdressers support state registration at the house of commons

Members of the hairdressing elite, including Trevor Sorbie and Anthony Mascolo, as well as HJ's 2010 British Hairdresser of the Year nominees Andrew Barton, Akin Konizi and Mark Hayes gathered at the House of Commons to champion the cause of state registration.

Joined by representatives from the major colour houses and Hairdressing Council chairman, Dawson Penn, guests tucked into a sumptuous three course meal of crab cocktail, roast lamb and summer pudding.

One notable absentee was the host Austin Mitchell MP, whose absence provoked much mirth from attendees who agreed that perhaps it was time to find someone new to fight their cause!

With lunch complete, it was over to Andrew Barton, ambassador for state registration, to deliver a speech. "If you are not already state registered, I call on you to support the campaign," he urged. "This is an opportunity to protect the profession and to protect the consumer."

There was a warm reception for Akin Konizi, who admitted that while he supports the campaign, he has some reservations about what state registration has to offer.

"I am not entirely engaged in the campaign - mainly because I don't understand it," he explained. "What does enrolling mean and what will encourage hairdressers to enrol? We need to set an example by registering and then we need to make enrolling a worthwhile investment for hairdressers."

The final speech came from Dawson, who explained that 60% of hairdressers will need to voluntarily register before MPs will push legislation through to make it compulsory.

"Artistically, no one can touch British hairdressing but we still have this anomaly that anyone can open a salon," he told guests. 

"I would love registration to happen. It would help us to get rid of the cowboys and improve professionalism. It would mean that salons, could charge more, they could pay their staff more and they could earn more money." 

With the speeches over, it was time to retire to the terrace where additional guests including young hairdressers who had been invited to meet their hairdressing icons revelled in the prestigious surroundings while enjoying tea.