WELCOME
HAIR: TOM WILLS PHOTOGRAPHY: OLLIE ALI
September always feels like the industry’s new year, a moment to recharge after the whirlwind of summer and set fresh creative goals for the season ahead. This issue captures that spirit with a mix of inspiration, innovation, and honest conversation. We open with a HJ Reports from the very first Braiders Brunch, a vibrant celebration of textured hair artistry and community – we were so proud to be the media partners for this event. For those championing diversity in hairdressing, our feature on page 88 profiles the trailblazers shaping the future of textured hair in salons, on shoots and on social media.
In our HJ Debate this month, salon owners and stylists share candid views on whether paying for staff to upskill should be an owner's responsibility or left with the individual to pursue. And in HJ Voicenotes, salon owner Amanda Flory's personal story of resilience through major upheaval shows the power of fighting for what you believe in.
Our Electricals Special spotlights the latest tool innovations, while our trends feature brings you the defining looks from the AW25 catwalks. If there’s one colour trend to watch this season, it’s bronde, in our colour feature on page 39, we share techniques, inspiration, and the best product picks to make bronde work for every client.
Of course, September wouldn’t be complete without looking ahead to Salon International. Our preview is your ultimate guide to the HJ Stage, Colour Stage, Modern Barber Stage, HJ Academy, the all-new Textured Hair Stage, sponsored by Avlon Professional, and more. And, as always, we’ve packed the issue with ideas to spark your creativity, from standout collections in our Fashion section, to Dean Lawton-Taylor’s favourite formulas in Colour Notes and the beautiful Blue Tit Forest Hill salon in Interiors.
Here’s to an autumn of fresh ideas, bold looks, and conversations that keep our industry moving forward.
TEAM HJ
Executive Director Jayne Lewis-Orr jayne.l@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7360
Managing Director Mark Moloney
Editor Charlotte Grant-West charlotte.g@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7369
Deputy Editor Sian Jones sian.j@thepbgroup.com • 020 7349 4798
Senior Content Writer Chloe Weldon chloe.weldon@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7362
Group Sales Director Jackie Brown jackie.b@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7366
Group Sales Manager Matt Crane matt.c@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7367
Recruitment and Classified Nur Suleyman nur.s@thepbgroup.com • 020 7349 4796
Senior Events Executive Anna van der Walt anna.v@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7377
Exhibition & Awards Executive Betlem Martinez betlem.m@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 736
Awards Contributor Angela Jones angela.j@thepbgroup.com • 020 7351 0536
Executive Assistant Katie Matthews katie.m@thepbgroup.com • 020 7349 4792
Head of Global Marketing Chloe Monina chloe.m@thepbgroup.com • 020 7349 4799
Events Marketing Manager Abigail Assinder abigail.a@thepbgroup.com • 020 3841 7370
Contributor Keysha Davis and Lollie Hancock