On behalf of Kao Salon Division, we are very happy to share our exclusive interviews with the National Winners of the UK & Ireland Global Creative Awards 2024 (GCAs 2024).
Unveiled during the prestigious event held at The Standard Kings Cross in London, the UK Gold Winners at the GCAs 2024 were also recognised at the Goldwell Celebration of Colour Summer Party 2024.
Here they share more about what it means to them to be a Goldwell Global Creative Awards National Winner:
Category: Gold Winner- New Talent Colorist of the Year
Award Challenge: Show the world that age is not a prerequisite for creative excellence. For stylists with less than five years of experience to display their talent and technical ability.
Winner: Sophie Fedoriw, Safy B’s
Sophie, congratulations! How did it feel when you learned you’d won?
It felt completely surreal, I didn’t think I stood a chance against the other four finalists so when I heard my name it was such an overwhelming feeling of happiness and excitement.
What does it mean to you and your career to be recognised and awarded a prize like this?
For me personally it’s a massive achievement to be recognised and awarded for my hard work and dedication and a thank you to my salon team for all their support. This is one of the proudest moments in my career so far, that will stay with me forever and help me further myself in the future.
Tell us more about your entry.
Right from the start I had a strong vision in my head of what I wanted to create. I wanted bold blending colors with a very strong contrasting color to create strong lines amongst my feathered cut and flowy style with a sharp fringe.
What was the inspiration behind your creation?
It came from a lot of research into upcoming fashion trends and techniques, such as the fox trend, along with my love for vivid colors. I chose my final idea by creating a mood board and picking out key points. I trialled my colors and their placement on mannequin heads first to see which worked well together and which placement gave me the best effect for my final look.
What technical ability did you particularly want to showcase?
I really wanted to showcase the ability to blend and contrast with hair color to show what effect this can give, in my case this was a very strong contrast but it can be made a lot softer to be incorporated in everyday salon life.
What do you love most about working with Goldwell Color?
There is simply no other brand like Goldwell, they provide such a wide range of color to cover all of my clients’ needs from naturals, to vivid rainbows and anything in between. I know that whoever sits in my chair, Goldwell has a product in their portfolio for them.
What inspired you to become a hairdresser?
I started my Level 1 at college alongside my GCSE’s when I was just 14 as I liked the idea of doing something creative, as I am not academic in the slightest. After completing my course, I realised I had a huge passion for hairdressing and I went on to start my apprenticeship at a salon a week later.
Who in the hairdressing industry inspires you the most?
Everyone in the hairdressing industry inspires me in their own way, everyone has a unique story to tell about their journey and that’s what I love. My team and close friends in the industry inspire me to push myself to be the best I can be and together we can grow as a family.
What is it about the color side of hairdressing that appeals to you?
For me, it all comes down to personalisation, being able to start a process with a client and build a plan to tailor that service specifically to them to reach their desired outcome will never get tiring.
If you could have created any hair look in history what would it be?
I would have loved to have created the looks from Bridgerton as to me they are so timeless and elegant yet so intricate.
What is your next hairdressing challenge?
The next step for me is to complete my assessor’s qualification so I can help mentor new people in the industry and be able to pass on all my knowledge and skills to help them be the best they can be.
Category: Gold Winner- Creative Colorist of the Year
Award Challenge: The ultimate colour competition where stylists with passion and drive can bring their vision to life in the stunning world of colour.
Winner: Emma Jones, New Wave Hair
Emma, many congratulations! How did it feel when you learned you’d won?
I was initially overwhelmed and shocked but very happy. I’ve followed these awards for a number of years and know the level of work entered is extremely high. I’m very grateful to have won such a prestigious award.
What does it mean to you and your career to be recognised and awarded a prize like this?
I’m thrilled to share the news with all my team, friends, family and Goldwell friends – everyone who has helped in this journey. I want to help support other members of the salon team to reach their goals and will use my journey to help support those who want to do the same and enter.
Tell us more about your entry.
I wanted my image to stay true to my personal taste but also creative at the same time. I made sure I took the time to select the correct model and color palette and spent a lot of time picturing what would work best on camera.
What was the inspiration behind it?
I’m naturally drawn to softer shade images. However I wanted to use that with some bold strong colors to show contrast with a soft haircut.
What technical ability did you particularly want to showcase?
I was focusing more on the final image as a focal point. However, I wanted the bold colors to emphasise the softness of the longer parts of the haircut. I wanted to showcase a color technique which slotted in with my color choices and final look.
What do you love most about working with Goldwell Color?
The amazing products: I love Elumen and Elumen Play – I don’t think there’s anything else quite like it. I love the community and support that Goldwell gives not just for this but throughout the year.
What inspired you to become a hairdresser?
I was always creative and from around 13 I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I started hairdressing at 15. Then, after leaving school I started a full time apprenticeship at New Wave Hair Wrexham where I still work now. It has been trading for 43 years and 6 years ago I took the leap and bought into the business. By doing this I wanted to make more opportunities available for my team to reach their career goals. I feel like this is a great start to leading the way for others who want to enter competitions.
Who in the hairdressing industry inspires you the most?
Martin Crean. I have been lucky to do some mentoring with Martin. His knowledge of photographic work is amazing – and his work is so inspiring. Beverly C, too: I love the work and images she produces and her knowledge and cutting techniques. Mark Leeson: again, I love the images and color pallets he uses. With social media there are so many to mention and places to get inspiration.
What is about the color side of hairdressing that appeals to you?
I just love how color can transform a cut, show the texture, add dimension to the hair. You can be bold or subtle or a mixture – it really is a way to show individuality.
If you could have created any hair look in history what would it be?
Breakfast At Tiffany’s. The short fringes, chunky blonde highlights, as well as the classic hair up that Holly Golightly wears in the film, I think it’s timeless and classy.
Do you have a next hairdressing challenge in mind?
I think I’d love to enter this again and possibly in future maybe enter the BHAs.
Category: Gold Winner- Creative Haircutter of the Year
Award Challenge: Open to all passionate haircutters to show the world that their work is a cut above with this precision cutting competition.
Winner: Jacob Scully, ScullyScully
Jacob, many congratulations! How did it feel when you learned you’d won?
I was excited and surprised. This was my favourite look of my shoots and I’m very happy it did well. I have won the competition twice before so winning it a 3rd time is an absolute honour.
What does it mean to you and your career to be recognised and awarded a prize like this?
It is so amazing for my career to win a Goldwell Global Creative Award, it is amazing exposure for my work and great to open up opportunities for the future.
Tell us more about your entry.
I wanted to achieve a sharp and precise look with a creative softness.
What was the inspiration behind it?
It goes back to my heritage. Starting at Sassoon’s, I’ve always enjoyed the classic, precision-cut shapes, so using that as a base. I then worked on it to make it more unique and creative using disconnection techniques and color panelling to enhance the layers and the shape.
What technical ability did you particularly want to showcase?
I wanted to show that I could use all the classical techniques of line, layer and graduation while also showing my creative style and flair.
What do you love most about working with Goldwell Color?
Goldwell is a very supportive group and always supports their stylists and has incredible events. I also love using Goldwell colors and think Elumen is amazing.
What inspired you to become a hairdresser?
My father is a hairdresser and I always looked up to him so that was my original inspiration. I started as a Saturday boy at 14 and worked as an assistant before going to Sassoon’s in London to train. After a few years I re-joined my dad at ScullyScully which I feel I’ve made my home; I enjoy myself there – and with Goldwell.
Who in the hairdressing industry inspires you the most?
I use the likes of Trevor Sorbie, Rush, Sassoon and also Toni&Guy as some inspiration for my looks. I also have been doing Project X with the Fellowship and Lisa Farrell which has completely inspired me in all different parts of the industry. Also, the people around me at ScullyScully and Goldwell.
If you could have created any hair look in history what would it be?
I would love to cut the hair in Quentin Tarantino films like Mia Wallace’s bob in Pulp Fiction. I would also love to do Star Wars hair.
Do you have a next hairdressing challenge in mind?
I would love to try for the It List again. I’d also love to do British Hairdressing Awards and I’m excited to see what changes the Global Creative Awards make for next year and what I can achieve with my award.