British Hairdressing Award Winners 2008, Akin Konizi

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Akin Konizi wins Hairdresser of the Year 2008
Ukhairdressers.com resident expert triumphs at the awards

At a glittering awards ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park Lane, the winners of the 24th British Hairdressing Awards were announced. The biggest event in the hairdressing calendar was a night Akin Konizi certainly won't forget as he was announced as the 2008 British Hairdresser of the Year.

Akin is in good company, as over the past 24 years there have only been 14 hairdressers who have been awarded this title, the greatest accolade in hairdressing. 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 Beenders, Lisa Shepherd, Andrew Barton and Angelo Seminara. The newly crowned British Hairdresser of the Year, Akin 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 is a dream come true" said Akin, Creative Director of hob Salons.

It was certainly a night of celebration for Akin and his team, hob Salons, London also went on to win "Artistic Team of the Year" and "Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year" was won by Christel Lundqvist, hob Salons, London.

In 1985, the British Hairdressing Awards - presented by Hairdressers Journal International and sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional - was launched to reward hairdressers who were pushing the boundaries of hairdressing forward, creating and setting the trends and excelling in this competitive industry.

Each year hairdressers from all over the UK dedicate months of hard work preparing their entries into one of the sixteen categories. There are nine regional categories covering all areas of the UK, six specialist categories, which include a variety of disciplines including Afro, Men's and Avant Garde hairdressing along with the Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year and the coveted award of British Hairdresser of the Year.

Compered by TV personality Graham Norton with entertainment provided by soul diva and fashionista Mica Paris, over two thousand guests from the world of hairdressing, fashion and media mingled at the prestigious event. This year London salon owner Errol Douglas, winner of Afro Hairdresser of the Year, The Trevor Sorbie Artistic Team winners of the Artistic Team of the Year, Tim Scott-Wright from Lisa Shepherd Salons in Birmingham, winner of Midlands Hairdresser of the Year and Robert Eaton from Barnsley's Russell Eaton Salon, who has won North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year were all presented with a Hall of Fame Award for winning their respective categories three times.

Any hairdresser from any salon can enter the awards and compete with the biggest names in the industry on a level playing field. Unlike other awards, the British Hairdressing Awards are based on photographic entries that demonstrate the skills and talents of the entrant. All entries are judged independently by a distinguished panel, with all entries remaining anonymous and all marks counted and compiled by an independent firm of auditors.

The British Hairdressing Awards has significantly raised the profile of British hairdressing both in the UK and overseas. Winners of all the categories can enjoy an increased media profile and the biggest award of the night - British Hairdresser of the Year - is recognised throughout the world, and overnight, the winner will become a tremendous ambassador for British Hairdressing, appearing on TV, radio and in the national and consumer press.

"British hairdressing is renowned throughout the world for its creativity and innovation, and with the British Hairdressing Awards we are recognising, rewarding and celebrating the best of British," said Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Hairdressers Journal International, Jayne Lewis-Orr. "The standard of entries in all categories, this year was incredible, the judges had a really hard job and I am sure that when we celebrate our 25th anniversary in 2009, the standard of entries will continue to inspire and motivate hairdressers throughout the UK.'

The Winners of the 2008 British Hairdressing Awards