Akin Konizi big winner at British Hairdressing Awards

Hairdresser Akin Konizi was named British Hairdresser of the Year at this week's awards gala in London for the second year in a row. Konizi is known for his edgy precision cutting.

But Konizi had even more reasons to celebrate: his company hob salons also bagged the Artistic Team of the Year and London Hairdresser of the Year awards in what is considered the leading competition in British hairdressing.

Creative teams from all over the United Kingdom usually spend months preparing their entries for the prize that covers categories as diverse as afro, men's and avant-garde styling.

"I couldn't believe it when my name was called out, I was overwhelmed and delighted - winning the title is a dream come true," Konizi said after an award show that, according to the organizers, rose in standards this year, inspiring optimism for the years to come.

Jayne Lewis-Orr, publisher and editor-in-chief of the prize's partner publication Hairdressers Journal International, said: "The future of British hairdressing is in very secure and creative hands and I am sure that in 2010, the bar will be raised even higher."

With Britain being the number one reference in cutting-edge hairdressing, the country's Hairdressing Awards indicate the key trends for next season, which according to Konizi include voluminous hairstyles, crimping and a "modern punk feel" inspired by the 1980s.

Here is the complete list of this year's winners:

British Hairdresser of the Year 2009 - Akin Konizi, hob salons

Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year - Darren Ambrose, D&J Ambrose, Middlesex

Men's Hairdresser of the Year - Desmond Murray, Atherton Cox, London

Afro Hairdresser of the Year - Michelle Thompson, Francesco Group Advanced Academy, Stafford

Artistic Team of the Year - hob salons, London

Newcomer of the Year - Shaun Hall, Mark Leeson Hair Body & Mind, Mansfield

Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year - Chris Williams, Rush London, Croydon

London Hairdresser of the Year - Darren Bain, hob salons, London

Southern Hairdresser of the Year - Leo Bancroft, Leo Bancroft, Weybridge

Eastern Hairdresser of the Year - Terri Kay, Mark Leeson Hair Body & Mind, Mansfield

Midlands Hairdresser of the Year - James Whyte, Soul Hair, Chester

North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year - Susan Hall, Reds Hair & Beauty, Sunderland

North Western Hairdresser of the Year - Sharon Peake, Ethos, Manchester Wales &

South West Hairdresser of the Year - Ken Picton, Ken Picton, Cardiff Bay

Scottish Hairdresser of the Year - Janer Stewart, Angels, Aberdeen

Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year - Kevin Kahan, Kevin Kahan, Bangor

Site: britishhairdressingawards.co.uk