Toni & guy make magic happen at mainstage 2012

More than 5,000 hairdressers representing TONI & GUY salons from across the globe headed to Battersea Power Station in London for Mainstage 2012; a celebration of fashion, achievement and hairdressing talent.

Following a rousing welcome from global brand director James Tarbuck, the evening kicked off with the annual TONI&GUY awards celebrating achievement in both business and creative categories.

The 2013 Breakthrough Art Team was also announced, with the talented young hairdressers now going on to enjoy a year of training, education and exciting opportunities including photoshoots and live shows.

With the first half of the evening over, there was a change of tone as TONI & GUY paid tribute to the late Kenji Saiga - an original member of the art team and longstanding owner of TONI & GUY Japan.

After some moving memories and tributes, it was time for the evening's entertainment; a storming set from Professor Green which saw the entire crowd on its feet and which the rapper later described as, "one of the best gigs ever." 

Then it was time for the creative second half of the show, with a show featuring looks from Todd Lynn - one of the 40 designers that TONI & GUY work with at London Fashion Week.

Tailoring and leather were matched with long fluffy curls, contrasted with sculpted braids on top for architectural styles with a soft texture.

The next show saw the new collection from label.m, with a series of looks for both men and women. Volume reigned, with everything from vintage-inspired bouffants to sexy layered long locks.

Next it was time to see the education collection that will be introduced in TONI & GUY salons across the country; Artelier. Introduced by Sacha Mascolo Tarbuck and members of the artistic team, looks ranged from pastel-hued blunt bobs to fluffy curls and sculpted updos. Men's looks were inspired by Boardwalk Empire, Morrissey and the 90s for a wealth of textured styles with the opportunity for individualization. 

Closing the creative section, next on stage was a catwalk presentation from Giles - who celebrates his tenth season with TONI & GUY this year. Voluminous gowns were matched with equally big hair, swept away from the face before height was built from the crown.

Providing a spectacular finale to the evening, HJ's Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year Indira Schauwecker presented a series of breathtaking models who walked out first under a blizzard of snow flakes before scented rose petals fell from the roof, covering the catwalk and crowd.

The perfect finish to a celebration of fashion and creativity, which left the audience wondering what TONI & GUY would have in store for their 50th anniversary in 2013.

And the winners were...

Essensuals Perfect UK Salon: Marlborough and North Finchley [joint winners]

Perfect Company-Owned Salon: Sloane Square

International Salon Director: Shamal Qureshi, Lahore, Pakistan

International Academy Director: Sergio Carlucci, Milan, Italy

Salon Retailer: Tonbridge

Product Expert: Yasmin Hussain, Essensuals, Shrewsbury

Image of the Year: Jose Boix, Valencia

Entrepreneur of the Year: Nico Pulia, Germany

1st Year Blow Dry - Denisha Padhiar, Essensuals North Finchley

1st Year Hair Up - Grace Challis, Essensuals Reading

2nd Year Classic Cut & Colour - Steff Taylor, TONI & GUY Windsor

3rd Year Advanced Cut & Colour - Atdhetare Hoxha, Mosley Street, Manchester