Hj's british hairdressing awards 2014: the winners

Thirty years ago, one hundred hairdressers attended the very first British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. This week saw more than 1,700 hairdressers come together at the glamorous Grosvenor House hotel to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the hairdressing Oscars, and to celebrate the winners in the nine regional and six specialist categories, as well as the ultimate award, HJ’s 2014 British Hairdresser of the Year. The evening started with a trip down memory lane with a beautiful retrospective film that highlighted the achievements from the past 30 years. While HJ’s executive director Jayne Lewis-Orr welcomed everyone to the Great Room, host for the night comedian and TV personality James Corden wowed the crowd with his insider jokes and impressions of the industry. The night promised to be the most glittering event of the year - and it didn’t disappoint. Following a delicious three-course meal of smoked cheese arancini, fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef and lemon crème brulee the awards were underway. Jamie Stevens, Philip Bell and Bruno Marc Giamettei were all inducted in to the Hall of Fame, for three wins each in the Men's Hairdresser of the Year, Scottish Hairdresser of the Year and Southern Hairdresser of the Year categories, respectively. [hji-gallery-legacy] The X Factor's Union J were mobbed as they sang a medley of their hits including new single, You Got It All and a festive rendition of new track, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. Before the coveted British Hairdresser of the Year was presented, the nominees – Akin Konizi, Angelo Seminara, Darren Ambrose, Errol Douglas, Gary Hooker and Michael Young, Jamie Stevens, Mark Hayes and Mark Leeson - showcased a spectacular show of beautiful and creative styling. Finally it was time to announce the 30th British Hairdresser of the Year – with Mark Leeson taking home the title. Mark, with his fourth British nomination, won with his feminine, eye-catching collection in what is his 30th year in hairdressing. Mark said: "I'm truly honoured to be British Hairdresser of the Year 2014. I’ve dedicated my life to hairdressing and to be recognised by my peers as the best in the country is incredible. This has been a dream of mine since the day that I started hairdressing and I’m living proof that if you work hard and don’t give up, you can achieve anything. I’m so grateful to all the people who have supported me over the years and to my wonderful team – without them none of this would be possible," said Mark

HJ's British Hairdressing Awards 2014

Midlands Hairdresser of the Year Nick Malenko and Sophie Beattie, Royston Blythe, Compton, Wolverhampton North Western Hairdresser of the Year Brent Barlow and Rosie Binns, Ethos Hairdressing, Manchester Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year Sharon Malcolm, Sharon Malcolm Hairdressing, Newtonards, Co Down Scottish Hairdresser of the Year Philip Bell, Ishoka, Aberdeen North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year Toni Stephenson, Hooker & Young, Darlington Southern Hairdresser of the Year Bruno Marc Giamattei, Marc Antoni, Henley-on-Thames, Berkshire Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year Martin Crean, Mode, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire Eastern Hairdresser of the Year Angelo Vallillo, Zullo & Holland, Nottingham London Hairdresser of the Year Cos Sakkas, Toni & Guy Sloane Square Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year Chie Sato, Toni & Guy Covent Garden, London Newcomer of the Year Jamie Benny, Rush Hair, London Men’s Hairdresser of the Year Jamie Stevens, Jamie Stevens Hair, London Afro Hairdresser of the Year Charlotte Mensah, The Hair Lounge, London Artistic Team of the Year Marc Antoni, Henley-on-Thames, Berkshire Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year Clayde Baumann, D&J Ambrose, Pinner, Middlesex British Hairdresser of the Year Mark Leeson, Mark Leeson Hair, Body & Mind, Mansfield