New format for Hair Apprentice of the Year
The first Concept Hair Apprentice of the Year final is going virtual as the competition's finalists are set to take part in a new format.
Hundreds of Apprentice hairdressers and barbers took part in six regional heats across England and Wales in January and February, before the lockdown caused the final to be postponed. With safety in mind, 45 finalists will now complete their hair work at home, work or college rather than taking part in a live final as originally planned.
The competition, organised by Concept Hair Magazine, sees five categories split into eight competitions based on the competitors' qualification levels, which include:
- 1920s themed Styling Level 1 and Level 2
- Prom-themed Hair Up Level 2 and Level 3
- Peaky Blinders vs. The Great Gatsby-themed Barbering Level 2 and Level 3
- Colouring
- Avant-garde, themed on Fire and Ice
A winner from each of the eight categories will be named as well as an overall Concept Hair Apprentice of the Year.
For the new format final, finalists will submit before and after photos of their model's hair, an unedited video and a vision board which will be judged by celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton, Fellowship for British Hairdressing Chancellor Ashleigh Hodges, Wahl Global Artistic Director Simon Shaw, and VTCT's Apprenticeship Business Development Manager, Jacqui McIntosh.
Commenting on the Concept Hair Apprentice of the Year 2020, Concept Hair Magazine's Emily Hilto, says:
“The standard of competition has been excellent, it's wonderful to see the next generation of hair and barbering professionals showcase what they do best. We're thrilled that the 2020 final is going ahead in this new format which will allow competitors to compete safely.”
Concept Hair Apprentice of the Year 2020 is sponsored by L'Oréal Professionnel, Cloud Nine, Wahl, Bettertons and Salons Direct, and is supported by VTCT and the Fellowship for British Hairdressing.
Winners will be announced on Instagram on Monday 5th October.
