After weeks of anticipation the winners of the HOB Salons Photographic Competition were announced on Sunday 13th February and received their wildcard entry to Wella Trend Vision 2011.
 

 
 
Bringing the ‘hair’ back into the salons and drive team motivation, this week saw the launch of this new initiative by HOB Salons which is now set to be an annual event. Reflecting the rules of the global Wella competition, the HOB Photographic Awards welcomed entrants from all 20 branches from London to Leeds, giving all under 30 stylists the chance to enter in the Young Talent Category, whilst no age barrier in the Colour Category meant all technicians were given the opportunity to showcase their creativity.
 
The New Year saw all entrants required to submit an image alongside a completed entry form. At the end of January, the judging panel were then brought in and the lucky finalists were short-listed. Held at Wella Studios, the finale day saw the 10 Young Talent finalists and 7 Colour finalists recreate their initial entry look whilst interpreting their understanding of the HOB Salon brand to the scrutinizing judges as they examined their work. David Gilkinson, finalist in the Colour Category and Colour Director at HOB Camden commented, ‘I think that it is great that HOB Salons have put on such a prestigious competition for us. Getting everybody involved has created a really motivational atmosphere on the salons floor and although the nerves are high, we are all really excited to push our creative boundaries.’
 
The finalists then had to present their final looks alongside a mood board to the judges including HOB Salons’ directors Clive Collins, Paul Simbler and 2008 & 2009 British Hairdresser of the Year, Akin Konizi. The directors were also accompanied by 2010 British Colour Technician of the Year Christel Lundqvist and 2009 Trend Vision UK Colour winner Lindsay Grossman for the colour judging, whilst for the Young Talent judging, the Directors brought in 2009 London Hairdresser of the Year Darren Bain and Head of Education for the company - Claire Dawson.
 
Following 17 presentations, General Manager for HOB Salons, Sean Dawson comments, ‘The standard this year has been so high, it has been great to see so many of our younger members display their work on such a creative level in front of award-winning judges, and this is just the beginning for them.’
 
As the night event drew near, the contestants were anxiously awaiting to hear who the final winners would be. With the night compared by Akin, Clive and Paul, presentations from the award-winning creative team and interviews with previous Wella Trend Vision UK winners, Lindsay Grossman and Alex Green, it was time to reveal the winning names.
 
Crowned in the Colour Category was Camden-based Warren Boodaghians, speaking of his win ’I feel honoured to have won as there were so many strong and talented contestants, I am just now so excited for the future and the next stage of the competition!’ Representing HOB’s young talent was winner Davide Spinelli of HOB Temple Fortune, ‘I cannot believe I won, I have been with the company for years now and they have continually supported and motivated me which is why I know I am here today. I just can’t wait for the next stage and to represent HOB at the Regional Finals will be an honour.’
 
The winners will now be put forward as wildcard entries and will represent HOB Salons in Wella Trend Vision 2011.