The Fellowship for British Hairdressing has officially opened entries for its 80th Anniversary Luncheon & Awards 2026, marking a milestone year for one of the industry’s most respected organisations.
Taking place on Monday 7 December 2026 at The Londoner Hotel in Leicester Square, the event will bring together Fellowship members, industry leaders, sponsors, brand partners and creatives from across the UK and beyond to celebrate excellence in hairdressing and barbering.
Widely recognised as one of the industry’s most prestigious independent awards programmes, the Fellowship Awards honour outstanding achievement across creative, commercial and educational disciplines, while also recognising the contributions of Fellowship members and teams.
Fellowship President Simon Shaw said: “For 80 years, the Fellowship has cultivated a unique community that drives standards, inspires artistry and champions both established and emerging talent.
The Fellowship Awards celebrate those achievements and continue to be recognised as some of the most coveted accolades within hairdressing and barbering.”
This year’s awards programme includes a number of new additions, including the Ruby Image of the Year Award, Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Men’s Hairdresser of the Year, alongside established categories spanning photographic collections, business excellence, education and industry innovation.
These include Fellowship Image of the Year, Colour Image of the Year, Men’s Image of the Year, Afro Image of the Year, Snapshot Image of the Year and International Image of the Year. Meanwhile, the Art & Commerce section recognises success across salon and barber businesses, education and commercial creativity.
Alongside the open-entry awards, the Fellowship’s Honours Awards will celebrate members who have made a significant contribution to the organisation and the wider industry, including Fellow with Distinction, Gold Medal Award, Community Hero Award and Member of the Year.
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Barry Stephens, CEO of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing, said: “The awards are designed to recognise every aspect of our industry.
Whether you’re a creative looking to showcase your latest collection, an educator, a salon owner or a business leader, there is a category that reflects your achievements.
The Honours Awards also provide an opportunity to recognise the incredible dedication of our Fellowship members.”
Entries open on 22 June 2026 and close on 28 September 2026, with finalists and winners being celebrated at the Luncheon & Awards ceremony in December.
Shaw added: “The Fellowship Luncheon & Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the exceptional talent within our industry while bringing the hairdressing community together. As we mark our 80th anniversary, we’re looking forward to recognising the people, projects and businesses that continue to shape the future of hairdressing.”
Tickets for the Fellowship 80th Anniversary Luncheon & Awards 2026 are now available, with winners announced at the ceremony on 7 December 2026. For more info and to buy tickets, please visit www.fellowshiphair.com/book-tickets/luncheon-awards-2026.
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