THE EDITORIAL STYLIST
For a young hair professional turning heads on set
Lauren Bell, London
“Artistic, eclectic, tenacious, and a little bit camp,” is how this freelance stylist describes herself. But Lauren Bell is so much more: passionate, romantic and already making waves in editorial circles, her most recent campaign was working the hair for Mayfair London – for the whole shopping district! She’s assisted at Dior, Balmain, and Mulberry, done advertising work for Puma, Michael Kors, and Juicy Couture, made the cover of Rollacoaster… Lauren truly is going places in the world of fashion.
Category finalists: Carlo Avena, London; Darcie Harvey, Reuben Wood Hairdressing, Manchester; Jordan Robertson, London; Josh Woodman, Eden Hair And Beauty, Hertfordshire
THE ENTREPRENEUR
For a young hair professional who has created a successful and resilient salon or barber shop business
Danielle Garner, Wildflower, Dublin
Founder, owner, educator, stylist, ambassador, coach and mentor, there are many strings to this entrepreneur’s bow. Danielle’s salon houses 19 creatives, all responsible for their own hours and free to take proper time with clients, and the space now operates at 98 percent capacity and has a six-month waiting list. She carries her core values of ‘technique + experience + connection’ to her growing Wild Bridal and Moon and Mai accessories businesses – it’s clear that the future is blooming marvellous for Danielle.
Category finalists: Charlotte O’Flanagan, Charlotte Paints Hair, Birmingham; Melissa Timperley, Melissa Timperley Salons, Manchester; Heffy Wheeler, HX Hair, Staffordshire; Lydia Wolfe, Jack & the Wolfe, Hampshire
THE RISING STAR
For a young salon or barber shop assistant who is enthusiastic, hard-working and fast improving
Georgia Freeman, Q Cut Hair & Beauty, Surrey
Illness derailed Georgia’s lifelong dream to be a musical theatre performer, but she was unbowed and, after recovering, she found a passion for hair. At Q Cut, tutelage under Syd Hayes has led to fashion assisting opportunities (and a Creative HEAD cover shoot!) and seen her flourish in salon… oh, and she won Wella TrendVision ghd Stylemaster Gold in 2021! She somehow finds time to build her refugee charity Hair For Miles and has a side line in vintage hair accessories, Free Flag. Nothing can hold her back now!
Category finalists: Kayleigh Byrne, Tribe, London; Chris Donohue, Billi Currie, London; Samuel Dowson, Josh Wood, London; Francesco Merico, Trevor Sorbie Covent Garden, London
THE SALON STYLIST
For a young hair professional demonstrating stand-out skills behind the chair
Ryan Steedman, Adam Reed London, London
A two-time It List finalist last year, Ryan is going places. He works closely with boss Adam Reed at high-end shoots and shows, but the Love Island stylist is keen to remain rooted in the salon, where he feels among family when with clients. Now artistic director at the East London destination, Ryan’s clients enjoy his fresh ideas and clear vision so much that many have been with him for nearly a decade.
Category finalists: Norman Boulton, Not Another Salon, London; Melissa Brough, HX Hair, Staffordshire; Sophie-Rose Goldsworthy, Goldsworthy’s Hairdressing, Swindon; Emily Worboys, The Strand, Chelmsford
THE VISIONARY
For a young hair professional pushing creative boundaries
Quentin Taillepied, Stag, Edinburgh
“What you imagine, you create, and what you create, you become,” says senior stylist Quentin, a specialist in curly hair and short textured cuts. A true creative, he sees hair as a medium for expression, bringing a love of drawing, sculpture, and a passion for reinvention to bear on his work, especially through drag. Quentin sees his vision as like a “narrow path in the forest” leading to shining colours and blinding light.
Category finalists: Lauren Bell, London; Edoardo Colasanti, Trevor Sorbie Hampstead, London; Rebecca Jacques, Daniel Granger Hairdressing, Northampton; Linus Johansson, London
THE ONE TO WATCH
For a young hair professional excelling in multiple disciplines and destined for greatness
Danielle Garner, Wildflower, Dublin
This salon owner and business magnate’s strengths lie in human connections and empathy. Her open-heartedness and kindness (not to mention skill and tenacity) has seen Danielle’s businesses blossom and she’s gained slots assisting the likes of Duffy, Guido, and Sam McKnight at fashion weeks across the globe. She believes in taking sustainability seriously, to the extent of turning down lucrative offers from brands that don’t make the eco grade. Her success so far proves that whatever you put in, you will get back.