On Sunday 13th October, the global hair event of the year was back better than ever at the legendary Roundhouse in Camden Town London. The 42nd Alternative Hair Show welcomed hundreds of hairdressers from across the globe to share their latest creative work under the theme ‘Evolution’–a fitting title for how far the Alternative Hair Show has progressed and evolved over the years from the very first show in 1983. Long-time AHS supporter Linda Evans was back to present the show, alongside AHS Founder & Director Tony Rizzo and AHS President Anthony Mascolo.

During the show there was a touching message from Worldwide Honorary Patron of the Alternative Hair Show and hairdressing legend, Trevor Sorbie MBE. “I think this show is important… it’s about letting your creative mind just go and being let loose. It can be whatever you want it to be and it’s for a really good cause, to try and find a cure for leukaemia…”

Trevor is a true inspiration to everyone at the Alternative Hair Show and across the hairdressing community, and he was greatly missed at this year’s show. On the night, the Alternative Hair Show paid tribute to Vidal Sassoon, who for several years was Worldwide Honorary Patron of the show. In celebration of 70 years of Vidal Sassoon, Mark Hayes, International Creative Director of Vidal Sassoon said, “Vidal was always so generous and polite, when he passed we lost a visionary and creative genius… Rarely do we meet someone who had the profound impact that Vidal had.”

Besides providing one of the very best creative platforms worldwide, it cannot be forgotten that the main purpose of the Alternative Hair Show is to raise money for Fighting Leukaemia. Tony Rizzo and Anthony Mascolo closed the show with all artists on stage, presenting a cheque to announce that this year’s show raised an astounding £116,000 for the Alternative Hair Charitable Foundation, Fighting Leukaemia, and Blood Cancer UK.

AHS ARTISTS
Following tradition, each AHS Artist was presented with an award and acknowledged for their incredible dedication to this annual charity event at their own expense.

The Alternative Hair Show has never been anything less than extraordinary, and this year was no exception as 14 Headline Artists from across the world took to the stage to present their latest work.

LEGEND AWARD RECIPIENT: ANTHONY MASCOLO
This year AHS President and founder of INFRINGE Magazine Anthony Mascolo received the Legend Award in recognition of his outstanding work over the years as President of the Alternative Hair Show. Throughout the show Anthony also shared some creative films inspired by his earlier work that have been reinvented through the power of AI.

IVA WINNERS + FINALISTS
The show officially kicked off with the International Visionary Award which this year celebrated its 20th Anniversary. 38 finalists took to the stage across Cut & Colour, Mens and Avant Garde.

Three hairdressers won Visionary Awards for their work on the night, with an additional five taking home official Runner-Up titles.