Hj's british hairdressing awards: past winners share how it feels to win

Winning an award can be a life-changing experience. We caught up with some of the title holders of HJ’s 2012 British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional "It is hugely rewarding and humbling to be honoured by your peers. My work is so different I didn’t think it would be to everyone’s taste. This is proof that if you do what your heart tells you and go with your gut instinct, you will be rewarded in the end." Angelo Seminara, British Hairdresser of the Year "Winning the North Western Hairdresser of the Year award is without a doubt the pinnacle of my career. Over the last five years I have spent time researching and deciding what collections I wanted to create. I am now concentrating on taking myself to another level within the industry." Gary Taylor, North Western Hairdresser of the Year "The euphoria and recognition you feel when your name is announced is enormous. We feel very proud every time we think back to that evening, or look at our trophy. It’s a feeling that doesn’t diminish with time." Adrian and Sarah Bowron, Midlands Hairdressers of the Year "To be recognised by my peers in this industry is by far the most fantastic feeling professionally I could ever have. Entering is so important to keep the standards of British hairdressing evolving and changing and to ensure the UK leads the way in hairdressing worldwide." Marcus King, North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year "Winning the title of London Hairdresser of the Year was an incredible achievement for me. I still can’t put in to words how proud and honoured I feel to have won." Tina Farey, London Hairdresser of the Year "To be recognised as a style leader has been a wonderfully re-affirming experience. Bringing the title and prestige back to the salon has energised and invigorated everyone, and with it a lesson that everything is possible when you dedicate yourself to your craft." Kay McIntyre, Scottish Hairdresser of the Year "I am so fortunate to have a career that I absolutely love and where I am continuously being challenged, motivated and inspired by such a fantastic team." Shaun Hall, Eastern Hairdresser of the Year "This award is a great tribute to the fantastic hairdressing talent and creativity within Cardiff." Ken Picton, Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year "I hope the fact that I was the only female shortlisted for Men’s Hairdresser of the Year paves the way for more women to take an interest in this exciting area of the industry." Tracey Devine, Men’s Hairdresser of the Year "To think that your work has been picked out as leading, trendsetting and inspirational makes all the blood, sweat and tears worth it. Not only is it amazing for your own self belief, but the energy it creates in the salon, among both the team and the clients, is incredible, let alone the business it generates." Craig Chapman, Afro Hairdresser of the Year   For more information about HJ's 2013 British Hairdressing Awards and to book your tickets, call Dan Eversfield on 020 8652 8845 or email [email protected]