2008 British Hairdresser of the Year Nominees Announced

The waiting is over and the nominees for the 24th British Hairdressing Awards have been announced. From a specially selected group of industry experts, beauty journalists and international trade press, six inspirational and influential hairdressers – the cream of the British hairdressing industry, have been nominated for the prestigious British Hairdresser of the Year Award.

The nominated hairdressers are;

• Akin Konizi – Artistic Director for hob salon group, and previous winner of London Hairdresser of the Year 2005. This is Akin’s third consecutive nomination.
• Angelo Seminara – The current British Hairdresser of the Year and International Creative Director at Trevor Sorbie. This is Angelo’s third nomination and he has previously won the Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year in 2000, 2003 and 2004.
• Antoinette Beenders – As Global Artistic of Aveda, Antoinette was announced British Hairdresser of the Year 2004, and in 1995 won Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year.
• Errol Douglas – This is the 12th nomination for Knightsbridge salon owner Errol Douglas, previous winner of Afro Hairdresser of the Year 1993, 1995 and 2007.
• Gary Hooker & Michael Young – This is the first nomination for owners of salon group Hooker & Young and six times winners of North Easter Hairdresser of the Year and Schwarzkopf British Colour Technicians of the Year 2006.
• Phil Smith – As owner of 22 international Toni & Guy salons, this is Phil’s sixth nomination. Phil is a previous winner of Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year 1993,1998 and 1999.

In the British Hairdressing Awards 24 year history there have only been 14 hairdressers who have been awarded this esteemed title. They are - Trevor Sorbie, Anthony Mascolo, Irvine and Rita Rusk, John Frieda, Andrew Collinge, Nicky Clarke, Charles Worthington, Umberto Giannini, Beverly C, Mark Hill, Antoinette Benders, Lisa Shepherd, Andrew Barton and Angelo Seminara.  2007 British Hairdresser of the Year, Angelo Seminara was ecstatic when he won the coveted title. “I couldn’t believe it when my name was called out, I was overwhelmed and delighted – winning the title has made my year,” said Angelo.

Jayne Lewis-Orr, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Hairdressers Journal International, was delighted to announce the nominees. “British hairdressing is viewed throughout the world as being creative and inspiring and the 8 British Hairdresser of the Year nominees, all live up to that expectation. The forthcoming months are going to be very exciting, as we have the first round judging of the regional and specialist categories, followed by the announcement of the six finalists within nine regional categories and the six specialist categories. Within that time, the British Hairdresser of the Year nominees will be preparing their exclusive portfolio, which will be judged with the regional and specialist category finalists in October. I wish everyone involved the best of luck, as winning a British Hairdressing Award can really change your life.”

The British Hairdressing Awards 2008 is presented by Hairdressers Journal International and sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. The winners in all sixteen categories, culminating in the premier accolade, British Hairdresser of the Year 2008, will be announced at a fantastic star studded awards ceremony and dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Monday 24th November 2008.

For press information on the British Hairdressing Awards please contact Alison Jameson or Rachael Ross at Alison Jameson Consultants on +44 131 621 7210, fax +44 131 621 7215 or email


Meet the 2008 British Hairdresser of the Year Nominees

Antoinette Beenders
Acclaimed for her originality, creativity and vision, world-renowned hair stylist Antoinette Beenders has been the Global Style Director for Aveda since March 2001 and is Creative Director of the Urban Retreat – Covent Garden Aveda Concept Salon & Spa at Aveda Institute London. She is responsible for providing the direction, vision and training for Aveda’s Hair Cutting and Styling programs, establishing trends, developing products and leading the company’s education initiatives.
Antoinette’s celebrity clients have included Elle MacPherson, Liv Tyler, Sarah Brightman, Veronica Webb, Kate Winslett, Sophie Dahl, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sadie Frost and members of the British royal family. She has been featured on TV programs such as the BBC Style Challenge and the Clothes Show, and created the hair for Burn the Floor, an international dance show designed by Mamma Mia producer Anthony Van Laast. Her magazine editorial work includes credits for Vogue and Glamour, among many others, and she was named one of London’s 13 top hair gurus by The Evening Standard earlier this year. She has worked on fashion shows for Hussein Chalayan, Clements Ribeiro, Prada, Miu Miu and Dolce & Gabbana.

Among Antoinette’s numerous awards are London Hairdresser of the Year Award (1996 and 1997) and the Aveda Master of Arts Award (2000). The International Beauty Show New York named her Most Newsworthy Female Hair Designer Worldwide (1998) and of course British Hairdresser of the Year in 2004.


Errol Douglas
Hairstylist Errol Douglas is among the cream of the hairdressing industry and a favourite among clients and industry peers alike. Renowned for his stunning photographic work, Errol has won several of the world’s most coveted awards.  He has been nominated twelve times for British Hairdresser of the Year, three times winner of HJ’s Afro Hairdresser of the Year, winner of the Black Beauty/Wahl Awards’ Stylist of the Year, overall AIPP Grand Trophy winner, the Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Hairdresser of the Year, the Fellowship Gold Salon Consumer Award (2 consecutive years), Creative Head Media Darling of the Year and most recently the British Master Award at the Australian Hair Fashion Awards ceremony. In addition, 2008 has been Errol awarded an MBE for services to hairdressing – an exciting acknowledgement of his work educating and nurturing new talent within the industry.

Errol’s photographic work is regularly featured in the fashion and beauty press and he participates in shows and seminars in Britain, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Poland and the USA, presenting his hairdressing skills and creative techniques to a wide audience. His hairdressing talents, professional approach and enormous personality make him the obvious choice for television, and appearances have included GMTV, This Morning, Good Morning, Model Behaviour, UK Living, G-Girls, 10 Years Younger, Queer Eye for a Straight Guy, Ready Steady Cook, The Weakest Link, Dial-a-mum, Extreme Makeover, Celebrity Scissorhands and more.


Gary Hooker & Michael Young
This is Gary and Michael’s first nomination for British Hairdresser of the Year, having between them won North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year six times and in 2006 were awarded Schwarzkopf Professional Colour Technician of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards. Dedicated to their craft, Gary Hooker and Michael Young are multi-award winning stylists with four salons in the North East of England. Their newest salon at Seaham Hall was recently announced Destination Salon of the Year at the HAIR Magazine Awards, and is regularly visited by beauty editors and celebrities.

As international showmen, with over 25 front covers in the past twelve months, Gary Hooker and Michael Young have perfected the art of the creating award winning collections. This pair are highly recognised and respected for their exquisite attention to detail, and their finishing skills are unrivalled. Hooker & Young’s creative flair and passion for colour is in constant demand throughout the Britain and overseas. As winner of the Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technicians 2006 Award at the British Hairdressing Awards, colour is never an after thought. Colour is never a compromise. Colour is always the foundation to a beautiful cut and delighted client.
Renowned for their versatility in working with both trade and consumer publications, they are an influential partnership in the hairdressing industry whose commitment and passion is unparalleled.


Akin Konizi
Recently nominated for the coveted British Hairdresser of the Year title for a third consecutive year, award-winning stylist Akin Konizi is a leading light in British hairdressing and the creative driving force behind hob salons, one of the UK’s leading hairdressing groups. Internationally acknowledged as a visionary for his innovative and contemporary hairdressing, Akin’s trademark precision cutting techniques epitomise the hob salons’ brand and his inspiring work has catapulted him into the top league of hairdressers. From shooting front covers and makeovers to supplying trend predictions and prescribed hair advice, Akin’s expertise is in constant demand from the trade and consumer hair and beauty press. His charismatic personality and natural gift for presenting has seen Akin appear on TV lifestyle shows, whilst his natural ability to create beautiful trend-led hairstyles has given Akin a loyal following amongst journalists, celebrities and salon clients alike.

With a true eye for detail, Akin is especially renowned for producing visually striking photographic work which has seen him build up an impressive catalogue of prestigious hairdressing accolades.

A truly inspirational educator, Akin’s services are regularly utilised by organisations to present to large audiences around the globe. Having launched an international training academy in London’s Camden last year, Akin also heads up hob education, which not only caters to the company’s 350 plus staff but also provides a wide range of courses to attendees from all over the world, with whom Akin is keen to share his philosophies and techniques.


Angelo Seminara
Angelo is the current British Hairdresser of the Year, this is his third consecutive nomination, having previously won HJ’s Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year three times.

Since 1995 Angelo’s creative drive and passion has captivated clients and colleagues at Trevor Sorbie and inspired the work of hair professionals the world over. His celebrity client list reads like a lunch time sitting at the Ivy but it hasn’t gone to his head. He maintains his gentle nature and carries with him an aura of calm – occasionally spiked with classical Italian intensity and expansive gestures!§

Angelo began his career as a trainee barber in his small Italian village in 1983 when he was still a child. ‘It was the sort of place where everyone knew each other,’ explains Angelo. ‘I was running wild so my mother asked the barber to give me a job!’ Five years later Angelo moved to Rome to take up a job with Toni & Guy but he already had his sights firmly set on London, and one man in particular. ‘Trevor’s constant innovation was fascinating to me; I found his work so beautiful. I contacted Trevor directly at a time when my English left a lot to be desired but he took a gamble on me and the rest is history,’ explains Angelo. Trevor sees it differently ‘I was really pleased that Angelo felt so passionate about working for me that he approached me directly and after we met and I saw his work, it was clear that he was going to be special, I didn’t hesitate in employing him.’

Angelo is absorbed with his work; he perceives hair as fabric and delights in creating new shapes and textures to push the boundaries of hair still further. He is captivated by the possibilities of hair and is adept at bringing out every clients natural beauty. Topflight session stylist Eugene Soulieman requests Angelo to work with him on the designer fashion shows of New York, London, Milan and Paris, where his creations have brought him international acclaim.  Each season Angelo is involved with at least 30 different shows. ‘I love the fact that in fashion your work is part of a total image, there is harmony between every element of the look so you can create fantastic work,’ says Angelo.


Phil Smith
Phil Smith is unique. With over 20 salons throughout the world, an ever-increasing list of high profile clients, a successful product line and six nominations for the prestigious British Hairdresser of the Year, Phil Smith truly is a British star.

As a multi-award winning hair stylist you would be excused to think Phil Smith focuses purely on the creative side of the industry. This could not be further from the truth as Phil Smith proved in 2001 when he picked up Business Director of the Year at the British Hairdressing Business. Phil has dedicated his life to the industry and has spent over two decades with the renowned Toni & Guy company. Having perfected his hairdressing and business skills, Phil opened his first franchise in Salisbury in the early 1990’s and has since been growing his business on an international level to include Australia and Canada.

Phil’s creativity hasn’t suffered during the success of his business but has flourished through the opportunities that have arisen. Playing a fundamental role in keeping British hairdressing at the forefront of global hairdressing, Phil continues to push boundaries while creating beautiful, wearable hair.  Phil’s talent in creating hair you want to touch has resulted in him being on the majority of beauty editors speed dial. Providing expert advice, trends and predictions as well as often appearing as a hair doctor in consumer publications, Phil Smith is a stylist in demand.

Continuing to be a successful and respected businessman, while building his already impressive creative profile, Phil Smith doesn’t plan on resting anytime soon. With regular press days in London, international shows from Argentina to Slovenia as well as being nominated for British Hairdresser of the Year again (Phil is already in the Hall of Fame for winning his regional  category three times) – not to mention the 22 salons, 380 team members, one wife and two kids, 2008 is proving to be a fantastic year for Phil Smith.

The British Hairdressing Awards 2008 is presented by Hairdressers Journal International and sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. The winners in all sixteen categories, culminating in the premier accolade, British Hairdresser of the Year 2008, will be announced at a fantastic star studded awards ceremony and dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Monday 24th November 2008.

For press information on the British Hairdressing Awards please contact Alison Jameson or Rachael Ross at Alison Jameson Consultants on +44 131 621 7210, fax +44 131 621 7215 or email