At Salon International 2025, visitors were encouraged to vote for their favourite photographic image, with each vote entering them into a draw to win two tickets to the 2025 British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. Following an overwhelming response and an inspiring display of creativity, we are delighted to announce the winner of the inaugural Community Choice Award: Casey Coleman of CHAIR Salons.
We visited Casey at CHAIR last week to capture his reaction to the win and to hear more about the creative journey behind his entry.
Want to see how Casey reacted to the news? Watch here…
How did it feel to be the first winner of the Community Choice Award?
I was genuinely surprised. I didn’t expect it because there’s so much beautiful work out there. I love celebrating other people as well, but I kept campaigning, even at Salon International I was still campaigning, so it just shows that hard work really does pay off.
What was the experience like on the shoot day?
My winning image was years in the making. I’d been planning this shoot for around five years, and it turned out to be the most expensive shoot I’ve ever done. I had three assistants, two friends working with me on the hair, and an incredible team including photographer Richard Miles, stylist Anna Latham, and makeup artist Rosanna Valin. It was an amazing day filled with creativity and fun. We shot at Iris Studios in London, which is honestly one of the most beautiful studios I’ve ever worked in.
What would you say to anyone thinking about entering the BHA’s next year?
I’ve been entering the BHA’s for nine years, and this is the first time I’ve won. This award makes things feel more accessible because all you need is one strong image. You don’t need thousands of pounds, you just need that one great shot. Just enter. What have you got to lose?
