CONCEPT HAIR MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES 2023 SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT WINNERS

Concept Hair Magazine is thrilled to announce the captivating results of this year's national photographic competition.

The competition, open to all UK schools and colleges offering hairdressing at Key Stage 4, levels 1 & 2, showcased an extraordinary array of Bridal Party hair creations that left the judges in awe.

This year's competition truly exceeded expectations. Students from across the nation embraced the exhilarating theme of Bridal Party, pushing boundaries and exploring a wide spectrum of stunning looks that perfectly embodied the spirit of the theme. Amidst fierce competition, two outstanding individuals emerged as the frontrunners in their respective categories. Ellie Williams, a rising star from the 14-16 Academy at East Durham College, achieved an extraordinary feat by securing the first-place position in the Level 1 category. Equally deserving of accolades, Honey Bean of Helston Community College triumphed in the Level 2 category, showcasing exceptional skill and creativity. However, the celebration doesn't end there. The photographic entries were filled with exceptional talent, and recognition must be given to the remarkable second and third-place winners (listed below) in both categories, who demonstrated remarkable prowess in their bridal-inspired hair designs.

Below is the list of our 2023 winners:

• Level 1 First Place: Ellie Williams, East Durham College
• Level 1 Second Place: Leah Owens, East Durham College
• Level 1 Third Place: Ruby Knight, Harwich & Dovercourt High School
• Level 2 First Place: Honey Bean, Helston Community College
• Level 2 Second Place: Ella Harrison, Retford Oaks Academy
• Level 2 Third Place: Amy Callaghan, Helston Community College

This year’s panel of judges included Chelsea Lee – Senior Education Developer – L’Oréal Professionnel Paris, Jamie Benny – ClubStar Art Team Project Leader 2023/2024 – The Fellowship for British Hairdressing, Nicola Steinbach – Business Development Manager - VTCT, Ruth Salt – Key Account Technician Lead for UK & Ireland Colleges – Wella, Sam Johnson – Head of PR for Babyliss Pro.

This year’s competition attracted exceptional sponsorship from some of the biggest names in the industry, serving as a testament to the competition’s growing recognition and impact in supporting the next generation: Babyliss Pro, Denman, Indola, L'Oréal Professionnel, L'Oréal Professional Product Division, NHBF, Wahl, Wella, The Fellowship for British Hairdressing, and VTCT. Commenting on this year’s competition, Ashleigh Hodges, Vice President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing said:

“The Fellowship for British Hairdressing is honoured to support the Concept Hair School Spotlight Award, encouraging the next generation of stylists to enter the industry and showing them what an incredible career it can be. Competitions such as the School Spotlight Award are an important steppingstone to getting your name seen by your peers and is a great way to
develop your new-found skills.”

Zoë Tanner, Managing Director of Concept Hair Magazine, said: “We’ve been blown away with the standard of entries this year and it’s been wonderful to see such talent in the 14-16 age group of hairdressing learners. We’re excited to follow their journeys and see where their path takes them next!” The Concept Hair Magazine team would like to express its gratitude to all the schools, colleges, and sponsors who made this event a resounding success. This annual competition continues to provide a platform for aspiring hairdressing professionals to showcase their skills and ignite their passion for the craft.

Entries for the Concept Hair School Spotlight Award 2024 are set to open in September 2023. For more information and details on how to enter, head to www.concepthairmag.co.uk/events
and follow Concept Hair across social media to keep up to date with the School Spotlight Award and much more.