Hj crowns afro stylist of the year at salon international

The Afro Stylist of the the Year live competition has made its Salon International debut, with Nicole Iroh from Headmasters Notting Hill picking up the trophy. Launched in recognition of the creativity of Afro hairdressing – and the wealth of often unrecognised talent within this innovative and highly skilled sector of the industry – HJ's Afro Stylist of the Year award was open to all stylists trained to NVQ level 2 or equivalent experience. Entrants were invited to submit a photo by email - no professional models or photographers required. Six finalists were then selected and invited to come and recreate their look live at Salon International. [hji-gallery-legacy] The six finalists had 45 minutes to recreate their look, which was an on-trend fashionable style. Judges watched them at work and asked them questions about their inspiration, experience and skill before choosing their winner, which was announced on the HJ stage. Judges Marie Niewouldt, Andy Heasman from Rush Hair and HJ's 2013 Afro Hairdresser of the Year, Charlotte Mensah also highly commended Kade Kut from Image Barber Bedford for his precision barber cut and research into the look.