Room 97 Creative salons at The Springs Leeds and Trinity Walk Wakefield win at British Hairdressing Awards 2020

Two hairdressers from Leeds and Wakefield have won one of the hairdressing industry’s top awards at the British Hairdressing Awards 2020.

Marcello Moccia and Karen Perry from Room 97 Creative, which has salons at The Springs Leeds and Trinity Walk Wakefield, stood out from a star-studded line-up of stylists across the North to win the North Western Hairdresser category.

Judged twice by a panel of hairdressing legends and British Hairdressing Awards Hall of Fame members, the duo showcased a portfolio of images of original hair work which demonstrated not only technical skill, but creative vision and comprehension of current trends.

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 36-year history, the ‘Oscars’ of the hair world could not be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, and instead went live and virtual on Monday evening, aired to an audience of both industry and customers.

Finalists were 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 on the Hairdressers Journal International Facebook page.

In another first for the awards, the beautiful trophy arrived with the winners the following day, allowing the chance to get that all-important photo opportunity.

Robert Eaton of Russell Eaton, which has salons in Leeds and Barnsley, was nominated again for the prestigious British Hairdresser of the Year category but lost to Sally Brooks at Monday night’s HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. He spoke of the challenges faced by hairdressers over the past year. Emma Simmons of Salon 54 in Thirsk and Ross Charles of York were nominated for the North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year, which was won by Jonathan Turner of Hooker & Young. Rick Roberts of Beverley won the Afro Hairdresser of the Year.

Jayne Lewis-Orr, executive director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards said; “A huge congratulations to Marcello and Karen. This win is a phenomenal achievement and career highlight, particularly after the difficulties faced by the industry this year. Marcello and Karen’s hair work demonstrated unrivalled vision, skill and creativity, gaining them recognition as one of the best in the business.

“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, Marcello said: “Wow, I can’t believe it! I’ve been totally blown away by all the collections this year. Having seen all the work, there have been some historic and iconic images, so to win is a complete honour – this absolutely is unbelievable!”

“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 application 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 Marcello and Karen who should be incredibly proud of their 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.

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, MODE Hair

• Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year: Sylvestre Finold, Metropolis Hairdressing

• Men’s Hairdresser of the Year: Andrea Giles & Terri Kay, Mark Leeson

• Newcomer of the Year: Kate Drury, MODE Hair

• Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year: Clayde Baumann, D&J Ambrose

• Trend Image of the Year: Sharon Malcolm, Sharon Malcolm Hairdressing

Regional Winners 2020

• Eastern Hairdresser of the Year: Lisa Graham & Joseph I'Anson, Mark Leeson

• London Hairdresser of the Year: Daniele De Angelis, TONI&GUY Shoreditch

• Midlands Hairdresser of the Year: Nick Malenko, 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

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