The Fellowship Focus
Welcome to our regular Fellowship Focus, where we go behind the scenes to find out what exciting projects the Fellowship has been up to over the previous month!
West Suffolk College EXPO
The Fellowship Connects & West Suffolk College EXPO invited college students and partnering brands to showcase the very best that hairdressing and barbering has to offer. Held within the state-of-the-art facilities at Bury Sy Edmunds West Suffolk College, the Expo event was an opportunity for Fellowship proteges and local artists to showcase their work, their journey in hairdressing and allow those attending the chance to find out more about the connection between the Fellowship for British Hairdressing and West Suffolk College.
The event kicked off with a welcome from the Head of Academy of Hair and Beauty Studies at West Suffolk College, Marnie Williams, who gave insight into the relationship between the Academy and the Fellowship, alongside the opportunities are available for students. Marnie then introduced her co-host for the day, Fellowship for British Hairdressing President Ashleigh Hodges. Marnie and Ashleigh invited two West Suffolk College alumni to the stage to showcase their work, Rachael Jennings and Lucy Wilding, who shared how their time at the college has enabled them to progress through their own personal career and pathway.
Next up, Marnie and Ashleigh invited former students of West Suffolk College, Connor Chesterton and Oli Norman to the stage to showcase the barbering aspect of what the College has to offer. Connor was also on Project Men & Media in 2024, discussing with Ashleigh about how he has integrated his Fellowship experience into his working life whilst working on his model. Marnie chatted with Oli about how he has grown and developed from his time at the college, winning awards and owning his own barber shop, along with explaining the inspiration he used for his look.
Rachael Lomax, otherwise known as the Copper Queen and Molly Raynor, who was an award-winning student at West Suffolk College and part of the Club Star Art Team in 2024 took to the stage to share their tips and any advice they would give to someone starting out in the industry and how they found their niche as educators.
To round up the EXPO event, Ashleigh and Marnie welcomed award-winning stylist and ClubStar Art Team Leader, Sophie-Rose Goldsworthy to stage with members of the 2025 ClubStar Art Team – Yasmin Snowdon, D’arcy White, Yasmin Clifford, Amelia Krasinski, Tash Filip, Amelia Wilmott, Leah Barker, and Isabella Finnis. On stage, the team demonstrated their braiding skills and styling skills as they talked the audience through what they were doing. They also discussed what it’s like to be on the ClubStar Art Team and the opportunities that the Fellowship have given them so far – and of course, their excitement for their stage slot at HAIRCON!
Ashleigh Hodges, President of the Fellowship said, “The talent showcased by the artists was absolutely incredible – I was lost for words. The annual West Sufffolk College EXPO is an amazing opportunity for the college and the Fellowship to demonstrate what we can offer to the students as it’s crucial that we nurture and help to develop the future generation of talent.”
The event came to a close with thanks from Marnie and Ashleigh, and a round of applause for all the artists.
Concept Learner of the Year
Concept Learner of the Year 2025 shone a spotlight on the UK’s most promising hairdressing and barbering students. The competition provides a national platform for up-and-coming hairdressers and barbers to showcase their creativity across a wide range of categories, including barbering, hair-up, styling, colouring, textured hair and avant-garde.
During the 2025 final, the atmosphere at Telford College on the 20th of March was electric, with 54 finalists from across the country coming together to flaunt their skill and artistry. ClubStar Art Team Members, Amelia Krasinki from KH Hair and Yasmin Snowden from Versus Hair Team worked on stage alongside Fellowship Vice-President Michelle Griffin and Fellowship Youth Board Members, Olivia Brady, who mentored the project through their very first live stage demonstration. The team showcased various method of installing hair extensions and were given the opportunity to work through their looks in-front of a live audience. The team answered questions from the guests and shared with them their experiences as part of a fellowship Project Team.
The Fellowship Youth Board members, Olivia Rose Brady, Jordan Heyes and Molly Raynor were on hand to answer questions about the Fellowship – discussing their Fellowship journey so far, the opportunities that they’ve been given and how the Fellowship has helped to share and expand their career and skills set.
As well as partnering and taking part in the event, the Fellowship for British Hairdressing Foundation Award was awarded to Condola Dennis from Walsall College. The Award was presented by Fellowship Hair President, Ashleigh Hodges.
Condola Dennis said, “When I was announced as the Fellowship Foundation Award winner, I thought I was dreaming! I had worked so hard and put in a lot of effort and time into my preparation – so to have been recognised openly and publicly was a dream come true. I would like to say a massive thank you to Ashleigh and the judges, the Fellowship team, the sponsors, and everyone for this opportunity!”
Ashleigh Hodges comments, “It was an absolute honour to present the Fellowship for British Hairdressing Foundation Award. What an incredible day – the level of talent that was demonstrated was truly breath-taking. To see the amount of time, effort and dedication that went into each entry was truly special.”
