Titles and trophies for student barbers and hairdressers

Walsall College student barbers and hairdressers have once again come away as finalists and winners in one of the industry’s biggest annual competitions for rising stars – Concept Hair Learner of the Year.

Tiffanie Bryant was a finalist in the Hair Up Level 2 category and Kai Davies was the winner in Barbering Level 2.  Meanwhile, Level 3 barbering student, Kerrera Browne received the British Hairdressing Fellowship Foundation Award.

Concept Hair Learner of the Year brings together the UK’s most skilled and artistic trainee professionals.  It encourages them to demonstrate their vision and creative flair to industry representatives across 10 categories including barbering, styling and colouring.

Tiffanie, Kai and Tiffanie went from being one of over 3,000 competition entrants to 60 finalists attending the live final held at Telford College.

The Hair Up competition brief saw Tiffanie take inspiration from the 1920s as her theme was art deco.

“I had an amazing time on the day.  My confidence has grown in terms of what I can do and how well I can do it.  I’d love to do it again next year,” said Tiffanie who in September will be progressing on to Level 3 studies.”

copyright – Concept Hair Magazine

In the Level 2 and Level 3 barbering competition categories, Kai and Kerrera were challenged to create a mod cut in 45 and 35 minutes, ensuring the cut every section of their model’s hair.  They also had to fully wet and dry the hair and style it with their chosen products.

Competition judges assessed and spoken to each competitor while they worked.

For Kai, the competition win took a while to sink in.

“Having my name announced as the winner and collected my award on stage just felt unreal.  I took me the rest of the day to process everything,” said Kai.

He continued: “Getting my model in a set time while having the judges come round and talk to me was a lot, but now I know I can handle it and that gives me confidence.

“It just feels great that all the work I’ve put in has led to this.”

“Coming back next year to compete at Level 3 is my next goal.”

The Fellowship Foundation award was first introduced by Concept Hair in 2024, with a Walsall College student claiming the award for a third consecutive year.

Kerrera who is now preparing to turn fully professional this summer was also grateful for the confidence gained, and the support received from the college’s lecturers.

“Kai and I did say at the start that we’d do well, and our lecturers have been with us to see it happen,” said Kerrera.  “They praised our skills, encouraged us to put forward our work in the competition and were there on the day.”

As winners, Kai and Kerrera received hairdressing and barbering products including hairdryers, clippers, trimmers and brushes, including items from L’Oreal and Denmans.

They also received a one-year membership to the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, with the opportunity to attend an industry upskilling experience day of their choice with one of the Fellowship Project Teams.

“I’m grateful for the competition experience, meeting the other trainees and all the different industry people,” added Kerrera.  “It shows you what’s out there to help you succeed in hairdressing and barbering.”

Concept Hair Learner of the Year is sponsored by L’Oreal Professionnel, as well as Alan Howard, Denman Professional, Design Essentials, Kenchi Blades, Wahl, WIG London, Belinda Mindset Education, Fellowship for British Hairdressing, How To Cut It, NHBF, Stylebook Directory/Education, and our official Judging Partner, VTCT Skills.