Cos Sakkas has been named British Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, in London in front of more than 1,400 stars of British hairdressing.
Cos, who is global creative director at TONI&GUY and LABEL.M and is based at the TONI&GUY Academy in London, is also the current International Hairdresser of the Year—the first person to hold two prestigious titles at the same time.
Cos clinched the award with his stunning new Vertigo collection which is a testament to his passion, skill and dedication to the craft. He fought off strong competition in the 2022 photographic competition and stood out in a highly-contested category with seven of the country’s most skilled stylists. He now joins an illustrious list of the best of the best.
Cos is no stranger to awards, having won London Hairdresser of the Year three times and being part of the TONI&GUY Global Artistic Team, who broke records with their multiple award wins. He has been nominated for the prestigious British title in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 before clinching it in 2022.
In a highly emotional acceptance speech, Cos said, “It’s amazing to win this award and I want to thank Hairdressers Journal, you’ve always been there for me. Schwarzkopf Professional, you were there to present me with Newcomer of the Year back in 1999 and here we are again today! I’ve been with TONI&GUY for 30 years and people always search for the grass that is greener, my grass has always been super green! I started with Toni and Anthony Mascolo, my mentor and the reason I am here today is Sacha Mascolo-Tarbuck, she is my everything. I’d like to end with a special thanks to my TONI&GUY team and family and a special dedication to a beautiful friend, the late Franca Grossi.”
“The finalists for British Hairdresser of the Year are some of the most talented stylists in the world, and it is an honor to win the award. While it was my name that was announced, this award is for the passionate people I work with every day and the amazing team who helped bring my vision to life,” he added.
“All the British finalists created stunning collections and I am humbled that the industry has chosen me to fly the flag for the British industry. I will endeavor to use the title to continue to raise standards, encourage the next generation and promote British hairdressing around the world,” Sakkas concluded.
Jayne Lewis-Orr, executive director of HJ’s British Hairdressing Awards, said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled for Cos, who is an extremely deserving winner. He is not only a brilliant hairdresser but is also completely committed to education and mentoring, even outside his own salon group. His passion for passing on knowledge and promoting best-in-class learning amongst the next generation of hairdressers is precisely what the industry needs.”
The British Hairdressing Awards, which are held at the glitzy Grosvenor House Hotel, are judged anonymously and independently by a panel of hairdressing greats and Hall of Fame members.