Sally Brooks, a hairdresser from London has won the ultimate accolade in UK hairdressing, crowned British Hairdresser of the Year 2020 at HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional.
Making it a hat-trick, the co-owner of Brooks &Brooks in Holborn, secured the title once again after previously winning the award in 2017 and 2018. The talented hairdresser fought off strong competition and stood out from a star-studded line up of nine of the country’s best-known stylists to gain the top spot in the most fiercely contended category of the awards.
Sally claimed her status as the best hairdresser in Britain after showcasing phenomenal original hair work which not only demonstrated technical skills but insightful, creative vision.
Sally’s hair work was judged independently and anonymously by a panel of hairdressing legends and Hall of Fame members (those who have won the same British Hairdressing Awards category on three occasions) before being crowned British Hairdresser of the Year 2020.
HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards celebrate the people producing the very best hairdressing work across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. For the first time in its 36year history, the ‘Oscars’ of the hair world could not be held in person at the Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel and instead went live and virtual on Monday 30th November – giving an opportunity to celebrate the success and talent within the industry and share the prestige and excitement of the event to an even wider audience.
Finalists were each given ‘tickets’ for their very own virtual room where they could watch and celebrate with their teams, friends and family, while the industry and clients could also show their support by tuning in to a live stream of the event which was hosted by television personality Rylan Clark-Neal hosted on the hairdressers Journal International Facebook page.
In another first for the awards, the beautiful trophy arrived with the winners the following day, enabling them to continue the celebrations and a chance to get the all-important photo opportunity. Sally’saward was one of 18 trophy wins on the night in a line-up of ten regional and eight specialist awards.
Commenting on the win, Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards said; “A huge congratulations to Sally -she’s done it again! This win is a phenomenal achievement particularly after the difficulties faced by the industry this year. Standing out amongst industry legends, Sally’shair work demonstrated unrivalled vision, skill and creativity, gaining her recognition once again as the best in the business and a great ambassador for our industry.
“This year’s British Hairdressing Awards will certainly go down in history as one of the most challenging but rewarding events we’ve ever organised. The fighting spirit of the hair community shone through, despite not being together in person, and the reception from our virtual viewers was truly uplifting. I’m so pleased we had this opportunity to share the achievements of these truly outstanding stylists with all their supporters near and far.”
Delighted with the win, Sally said: “I am so shocked! We’ve just proved as an industry how resilient we are and every challenge we have been faced with has been smashed.
“I don’t think this award should just have my name on it – it should have ‘Hairdressers United’ on it, as I really believe 2020 is the year hairdressers’ united. We have all been amazing in this time. Massive thanks to my photographer Jenny who always delivers something incredible. My team is so supportive and a massive thank you to Jamie who always stands by my most bonkers ideas.
“Every single British nominee pulled it out the bag this year. I am speechless! Hairdressers’ Journal and Schwarzkopf Professional, I couldn’t imagine we would pull this off this year and you’ve done such an incredible job! I am gobsmacked for once in my life, thank you so much. As an industry, we all deserve a round of applause after what we have all been through. Thank you so much!”
“Sponsoring HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards is a great privilege,” says Julian Crane, Schwarzkopf Professional General Manager UK and Ireland. “In a record year for entries, showcasing the highest calibre of hair work, we have been extremely impressed at the outstanding display of creative techniques.
“The awards are a true celebration of our industry and it is an honour to join Hairdressers Journal International in recognising the very best of UK and International hair talent. I am delighted for Sally who should be incredibly proud of her achievement.”
The British Hairdressing Awards have launched the careers of a host of household names from John Frieda and Nicky Clarke, to TV stylists Lisa Shepherd and Andrew Barton.
The hairdressers nominated for British Hairdresser of the Year 2020 were:
- Adam Reed, session stylist and salon owner, a colourful, skilful character bridging consumer and hairdressing worlds
- Angelo Seminara, four times winner and one of the most captivating and original hairstylists of our time
- Cos Sakkas, third time nominee, artistic talent and a legend within Toni & Guy
- Darren Ambrose, previous British Hairdresser of the Year winner 2015, a leader within session styling and hairdressing alike
- Errol Douglas, MBE, honoured by Her Majesty the Queen for services to hairdressing
- Gary Hooker and Michael Young, (Hooker & Young) 12th consecutive nomination for British Hairdresser of the Year and hairdressing’s most famous duo, stage-stars, creative inspiration and talented educators
- Richard Ashforth, first time nomination, well renowned in the hairdressing industry for his directional, forward-thinking ideas and his belief in simplicity and commitment to beauty
- Rob Eaton,British Hairdresser of the Year 2019 and one of the most current and renowned colourists and stylists of the moment
- Sally Brooks, two times winner of British Hairdresser of the Year (2017 & 2018), Sally is a global star and national hero following her hairdressing documentary that is reaching educational settings and parents across the UK
Specialist Category Winners 2020:
- British Hairdresser of the Year: Sally Brooks, Brooks &Brooks
- Afro Hairdresser of the Year: Rick Roberts, Rick Roberts Salon
- Artistic Team of the Year: MODE Artistic Team, MODEHair
- Avant-Garde Hairdresser of the Year: Sylvestre Finold, Metropolis Hairdressing
- Men’s Hairdresser of the Year: AndreaGiles&TerriKay, Mark Leeson
- Newcomer of the Year: KateDrury, MODE Hair
- Schwarzkopf Professional British ColourTechnician of the Year: ClaydeBaumann, D&J Ambrose
- Trend Image of the Year: Sharon Malcolm, Sharon Malcolm Hairdressing
Regional Winners 2020
- Eastern Hairdresser of the Year: LisaGraham&JosephI’Anson, Mark Leeson
- London Hairdresser of the Year: Daniele De Angelis, TONI&GUY Shoreditch
- Midlands Hairdresser of the Year: NickMalenko, Royston Blythe
- North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year: Jonathan Turner, Hooker + Young
- North Western Hairdresser of the Year: Marcello Moccia & Karen Perry, Room 97 Creative
- Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year: Julie Cherry, Shane Bennett Salon
- Scottish Hairdresser of the Year: Dylan Brittain, Rainbow Room International
- Southern Hairdresser of the Year: Thomas Hills, TH1 Hair
- Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year: Craig Chapman, Craig Chapman Salon
- International Collection of the Year: Silas Tsang, Blushes
Hall of Fame 2020:Winning the same category three times:
- Mark Leeson, Mark Leeson
- Martin Crean, MODE Hair