Cos Sakkas claimed the ultimate title of British Hairdresser of the Year at HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2024, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, for the third time!
Cos, Global Creative Director for TONI&GUY, clinched the title for the third consecutive year with his stunning Eclipse collection. Cos is one of only six individuals in the awards’ history to lift the trophy three times or more, with the first ever winner being the late, great Trevor Sorbie MBE.
Speaking shortly after his third consecutive win, Cos said: “This is my third win – it’s incredible and I just have the longest list of thank-yous to Jayne Lewis-Orr, Hairdressers Journal and Schwarzkopf, to Sacha Mascolo-Tarbuck and my team, the most incredible team in the world! Also to Samantha my wife and family, my love, my life, my everything.”
“The prestige of securing this title for the third time in a row cannot be overstated. Cos is such a deserving winner and a great representative for British hairdressing in all he does,” said Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards. “The recognition in the room of his peers spoke to his popularity as an industry figurehead, educationalist, and a really good man. To win this award once is phenomenal but raising this trophy three times or more is rare. In fact, in our 40-year history this has only been achieved by six phenomenal hairdressers! Four decades since inception, HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards remain the most sought-after industry accolade. It is a huge privilege to honour Cos with this title.”
TONI&GUY had a hugely successful awards night. In addition to winning British Hairdresser of the Year, the group also scooped a further five awards:
North Western Hairdresser of the Year: Jon Wilsdon, TONI&GUY, Deansgate Manchester
Newcomer of the Year: Annabel Payne, TONI&GUY, Covent Garden
Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year: Michela Bazzoli and Charley Henery, TONI&GUY Academy
Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year: Efi Davies: TONI&GUY Academy
International Collection of the Year: Jude McEwen, TONI&GUY, Perth, Australia
Cos was selected as the best-of-the-best, by a 100-plus judging cohort. During this robust process, each nominee’s work, a collection of eight images showing technique and creative process, is scrutinised by hairdressing peers, influencers, consumer and industry press, opinion formers and previous three-time winners of any British Hairdressing Award category (Hall of Fame). In addition, a detailed, anonymised, hairdressing dossier of achievements and experience is examined.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards, held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, London, on Monday 25th November. The ruby celebration was attended by 1,400 UK and international hairdressers and hosted by celebrity presenter and one-time hairdresser, Rylan Clark, alongside Hairdressers Journal International’s Executive Director Jayne Lewis-Orr and Julian Crane, General Manager for Henkel Beauty Brands Hair Professional UK & Ireland.