British Hairdressing Awards 2026 Finalists

Awards - 2 August 2026

◴ Read time - 5 mins

Francesco Hair Salon Returns to the Creative Stage with British Hairdressing Awards 2026 Finalist Spot

Francesco Hair Salon is celebrating a triumphant return to the world of creative competition after being named a finalist in the Regional Category – Midlands at the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards 2026 with its stunning collection, Azure.

Masterminded by Creative Directors Paul Corbett and Heather Shaw, Azure is a collection inspired by the movement of water – soft, fluid and never fixed. Showcasing exceptional technical expertise and artistic vision, the collection has secured Francesco Hair Salon a coveted place amongst the region’s finest creative talent.

Our Advanced Academy was created to bridge a gap we often see within the industry. While many stylists leave training with strong technical foundations, they don’t always receive the ongoing support needed to build confidence, creativity, client communication skills, and long term career success.

Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades in British hairdressing, the British Hairdressing Awards celebrate the very best in photographic artistry, technical excellence and creative innovation. A finalist place recognises the outstanding vision, craftsmanship and originality that continues to shape the future of the industry.

Inspired by the ever-changing nature of water, Azure explores the balance between precision and freedom. The colour palette is built around cool blues, shimmering silvers, muted rose tones and smoky depth, creating a series of ethereal yet wearable looks. Styling focuses on texture and finish, moving effortlessly between polished, sculpted forms and raw, undone movement, allowing each style to reveal the hair’s natural character. The collection embraces experimentation, softness, shape and contrast, guided with intention but never overworked.

Commenting on the achievement, Paul Corbett, Creative Director at Francesco Hair Salon, said:

Azure represents everything we love about creative hairdressing. We wanted to create a collection that felt fluid, expressive and beautifully understated, allowing the hair to move naturally while showcasing exceptional colour and cutting techniques. To be recognised as finalists at the British Hairdressing Awards is an incredible honour and a testament to the creativity and dedication of our entire team.

Creative Director Heather Shaw added:

Returning to creative competition and being recognised at this level makes this achievement even more special. Francesco’s has always had creativity at its heart, and Azure marks an exciting new chapter for our artistic team. We’re incredibly proud to see our vision celebrated on one of the industry’s biggest stages.

This finalist place marks a significant milestone for Francesco Hair Salon, signalling a bold return to creative competitions and reaffirming the brand’s reputation for innovation, education and excellence. With a heritage spanning more than five decades, Francesco Hair Salon continues to inspire the next generation of hairdressers while pushing creative boundaries within the profession.

Winners will be announced at the British Hairdressing Awards 2026, where the UK’s most talented hairdressers will come together to celebrate another year of exceptional creativity and achievement.