On Sunday evening I attended the 28th annual Alternative Hair Show at the grandiose Royal Albert Hall in London.
This spectacular extravaganza attracts stylists from the four corners of the world – all eager to experience the very best in avant-garde styling.
Following the death of his son from a rare form of leukaemia, Tony Rizzo, the event’s founder (who is described as one of the most influential hairdressers in the world), launched the show in 1983, to help raise funds for research into this debilitating disease. At the time, leukaemia was still a poorly understood illness that affected both children and adults, often with tragic consequences.
From humble beginnings, the Alternative Hair Show has grown into a prestigious hairdressing event, hosting leading teams and inspirational hair artists from all over the globe.
To date the Alternative Hair Show has raised over £8 million and is a key supporter of the charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, the only UK charity solely dedicated to research into blood cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
The show was a sensory explosion! The lighting, choreography and styling were AMAZING!!
It was great to see the maestros of British hairdressing take to the stage, including Anthony Mascalo (of the mighty Toni and Guy empire) and Anne Veck – an award winning avant-garde stylist. I was also enamoured by the creations of leading artistic teams from names that are synonymous with the British hairdressing industry – the likes of Collinge, Sassoon and TIGI.
The turnout for the event was phenomenal – so many stylists came out in full force to support this worthy cause and to celebrate their chosen art – and it was certainly a pleasure to behold!