“This year is TONI&GUY’s 60th anniversary when Toni, Guy, Bruno, and Anthony revolutionized hairdressing, and I’ve been privileged to work with them for 30 years.”
Cos Sakkas Named 2023 British Hairdresser of the Year For The Second Time
Cos Sakkas has been crowned British Hairdresser of the Year for the second year at the star-studded British Hairdressing Awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional. As Global Creative Director at TONI&GUY and LABELM based at the TONI&GUY Academy in central London, Cos took home the title for the second consecutive year with his stunning collection.
This is Cos’s sixth nomination and second win of the prestigious title, and he now joins the echelon of British hairdressing greats. Held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, Cos received the coveted title in front of a 1,400-strong audience of hairdressing peers, influencers and press, alongside celebrity host Katherine Ryan, who was joined by Hairdressers Journal International’s Executive Director, Jayne Lewis-Orr and Julian Crane, General Manager for Henkel Consumer Brands Hair Professional UK & Ireland. Currently in their 39th year, the awards celebrate the outstanding creative and technical skills of the best stylists in the industry.
Taking to the stage with a standing ovation, Cos was overcome with emotion as he said: “To be nominated for this award is an incredible honour, and to win it is just unbelievable. To win twice is completely overwhelming! Without my TONI&GUY family, it just would not happen. This award isn’t for me; it’s for us. This year is TONI&GUY’s 60th anniversary when Toni, Guy, Bruno, and Anthony revolutionized hairdressing, and I’ve been privileged to work with them for 30 years. The standard of hairdressing in this country is constantly improving, and I’m honoured that the judges have seen my passion and dedication to my work. I hope this moment inspires others to pursue their dreams – if I can do it, so can they!’
Jayne Lewis-Orr, Executive Director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, said: ‘Almost four decades since they began, HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards continue to celebrate the most exciting and creative names in our industry. In winning the British title, Cos has demonstrated a jaw-dropping creative vision and level of expertise, and it is a privilege to see him crowned British Hairdresser of the Year.
Cos is no stranger to awards, having started his journey winning Newcomer of the Year and London Hairdresser of the Year three times and is part of the TONI&GUY Artistic Team, who broke records with their multiple award wins. He was nominated for the prestigious award in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 before clinching it in 2022 and again in 2023.
Featuring ten regional categories, as well as nine specialist awards honouring work including Afro, Men’s, Session and Newcomer, entries are judged anonymously by over 100 leading hairdressers (including celebrity stylists, session stylists, previous winners and Hall of Fame* members). The ultimate accolade of British Hairdresser of the Year** was won by Cos Sakkas, Creative Director and Head of Education at TONI&GUY. After the dazzling ceremony, guests were treated to a performance by Björn Again.
Schwarzkopf Professional has been the sole sponsor of the event since its launch in 1984. Julian Crane, General Manager for Henkel Consumer Brands Hair Professional UK & Ireland, says: ‘Schwarzkopf Professional is honoured to shine a spotlight once again on some of the industry’s greatest talents. Our winners have wowed us with their passion and skill and should feel incredibly proud of their achievements.’
HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards 2023, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional
Specialist Category Winners 2023:
- British Hairdresser of the Year: Cos Sakkas, TONI&GUY
- Session Hairdresser of the Year: Eugene Souleiman
- Afro Hairdresser of the Year: Melissa Timperley & Sara Williams, Melissa Timperley Salon
- Artistic Team of the Year: Mark Leeson Artistic Team
- Avant Garde Hairdresser of the Year: Darja Laett, TONI&GUY Kensington
- Men’s Hairdresser of the Year: Sam Elliot, TONI&GUY Covent Garden
- Newcomer of the Year: Lucia Siero Hernández, TONI&GUY Westfield White City
- Schwarzkopf Professional British Colour Technician of the Year: Suzie McGill, Rainbow Room International
- Trend Image of the Year: Elyse Pointon, Edward & Co
Regional Winners 2023
- Eastern Hairdresser of the Year: Olivia Binch, Mark Leeson
- London Hairdresser of the Year: Jordanna Cobella, Cobella
- Midlands Hairdresser of the Year: Tracey Ann Smith, French + Ivi
- North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year: Rick & Zoe Roberts, Rick Roberts
- North Western Hairdresser of the Year: Laura Kulik & Ria Kulik, The Hairbank
- Scottish Hairdresser of the Year: David Corbett, David Corbett Hairdressing
- Southern Hairdresser of the Year: Seung-ki Baek, RUSH Hair
- Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year: Ken Picton, Ken Picton Salon
- Northern Ireland Hairdresser of the Year: Danny Malone, MACC Hair
- International Collection of the Year: Antoinette Beenders & Jorge Cáncer, Aveda
Hall of Fame: Winning the same category three times:
- Caroline Sanderson (Scottish)
- Steven Smart (Wales & South West)
Find out more about Cos Sakkas
Instagram: @cossakkasofficial
ABOUT:
As TONI&GUY Global Creative Director, Cos Sakkas is a long-standing member of the award-winning artistic team. He is the British Hairdresser of the Year for the second consecutive year, previously nominated in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. He is also the 2022 and 2023 International Hairdresser of the Year and 2022 Fellowship Hairdresser of the Year. He has won London Hairdresser of the Year three times and is a member of the Hall of Fame. He is a regular at events, shows and seminars around the world, including London Fashion Week, where he is in demand by top fashion designers. He is well-placed for quotes on trends, education and the latest techniques.
