WELCOME

HJ's British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional winners have now been crowned and are quite rightly enjoying their reign. Not only did they make a splash on social media (we racked up 400k views on Instagram, and counting!) but their collection images look sensational in print too. Take a look at all the pictures from the night and the winner’s images from page 25. Plus, don’t miss our Winners Supplement which comes out with the February issue of Hairdressers Journal International.

But back to the issue in hand – in this month’s HJ Debate, the topic is chair rental in salons – a particularly divisive topic in light of the Autumn statement from the Chancellor which garnered a response that only made the rent a chair / salon divide grow even more. The cost of living crisis continues to affect businesses and the industry, but one salon owner is focusing on the effects on the communities around him too. Kaye Sotomi, founder of Chop Chop London has reacted to the crisis with a ‘pay what you can afford’ hair service. Read why Kaye has made the decision on page 16.

Elsewhere in the magazine we have Akin Konizi charting his career path (page 89), Conor James Doyle on his colour inspiration (page 22) and Luke Benson gives us a sneak peek of his new salon in Berkhamsted in our Interiors feature. And, we were lucky enough to head to Mexico with ALFAPARF Milano Professional to meet the Alfapar f salons from Central America and all over the world. In Life through a Lens, where we spotlight one hairdresser and their favourite work, Antoinette Beenders shares her portfolio that runs the gamut from editorial to avant garde.

Finally, whether you use an old-fashioned paper calendar, are an iCal obsessive or cut-out-and-keep these very pages, don't miss the key events for next year on page 24 and 25. Scan the QR codes to get bonus social content from last year's events (be sure to follow us on @hairdressersjournal if you're not already) and we will see you in 2024!