Northern ireland hairdresser of the year 2011 - kevin kahan
Kevin Kahan was named Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year in 2009 and regained the title in 2011.
Kevin told HJi that the creative process of planning an award-winning collection is never far from his mind. 
Why did you decide to enter the British Hairdressing Awards?
It was my third year of entering the British Hairdressing Awards, having been introduced to them in 2009 when I was fortunate enough to win. I didn't win in 2010 and it had become my main ambition to regain the title! To be attributed Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year is a wonderful accolade that fulfils both creative and business ambitions.
When did you start thinking about your collection?
I never stop thinking about my next British Hairdressing Awards collection! I see every collection as a real 'collective' of imagery - it has to tell a really strong story and have a fashionable and creative thread that runs right through it. I spend my year visiting galleries both here and overseas, reading every possible magazine and surfing the internet then I use it to initiate my own creativity.
What was your budget for the shoot?
We budget for £1500 per image.
How did you find a photographer, stylist and makeup artist?
We were introduced to the photographer through our press agent, the stylist and make-up artist followed.
Tell us a little about your models. What do you look for in a hair model? How did you source them and how much did they cost?
We undertake one or two castings, in London, leading up to the photographic shoot. Our agent also keeps an eye out for models 'just visiting' as we don't want to use all the same faces as everybody else. We pay £400 plus 20% agency for each model which gives us a maximum of four hours to work on each.
How long did it take from the day of the shoot to sending off a collection you were happy with?
We always shoot way ahead of deadline and edit the shoot the same day. It's then left to photographer to undertake general retouching and send us the prints. Fingers-crossed we are always happy with the results!
How did entering the British Hairdressing Awards effect life in the salon - did your team get involved and did it mean you had to be away from the salon a lot?
Not at all - we fly over to London on the eve of the shoot and fly back the same night - and it's generally on a Monday when the salon is closed anyway.
What three tips would you give to people considering entering the British Hairdressing Awards?
You have to surround yourself with a good team:
- Photographer
- Make-up artist
- Fashion stylist
If one of these didn't do their job properly the whole shoot would be ruined.
How, if at all, will you be marketing your win in the salon?
We have a strapline in our window and it's on all our stationery and marketing material. We are also fortunate enough to have a regular page in Ulster's leading publication Ulster Tatler.
