A Creative Force – Akin Konizi By Julie Bellinger-Gibb

With more than 20 salons across the South of England and an award-winning Academy in the heart of Camden, HOB Academy has been at the heart of the British hairdressing industry for more than 30 years. It is one of the most progressive and in-demand educational hubs in the hairdressing industry and with international creative director Akin Konizi at the helm, the industry is in safe hands.

It was some 40 years ago when a young Akin Konizi met Paul Simbler and Clive Collins – and little did they know the impact and influence they would have on hairdressing around the world. A young, passionate stylist with ambitions to be the best in the industry saw Akin go on to win British Hairdresser of the Year an incredible four times, and a whole armoury of awards for his creativity and business acumen. Now the creative force behind the HOB Salons and HOB Academy, he has been instrumental in establishing it as one of the UK’s leading hairdressing groups.

“I had no idea of what lay ahead when I started as an apprentice at Alan International, working under the stylist – and now photographer – John Rawson for three years,” says Akin. “It is thanks to him that I am the hairdresser I am today. I have never worked with someone who was so technically knowledgeable as John. I knew I wanted to be the best I could be and my passion for precision haircutting started back then, and I am even more passionate about the craft of hair cutting now.”

“The industry is going through a transition – more and more stylists are becoming self-employed, working hours are changing and client visits are becoming less and less. Technology and techniques have been amazing at advancing hairdressing to what it is today, but we have to be careful not to lose control of our industry. Look on the high street and you see a sea of long, wavy hair – this is costing our industry not just client visits and money, but skills and the perception of what we do.”

“There’s never been a more important time than now to bring back the haircut. We are slowly giving up the skills that have been worked on so hard over the years. Skills like precision-based cutting, setting skills, styling skills. All those skills we worked on really hard up to the 80s and 90s and now we’ve moved onto a very disposable look. If we’re not careful, hairdressers will also become disposable through lack of the necessity of skill. If – and when – short hair becomes popular again, we will have a generation who don’t know what to do. It’s my generation’s responsibility to pass on our skills and ensure every stylist coming into the industry has those skills and the eye for detail.”

Spending time with Akin at the award-winning Academy in London and you can feel his passion rub off on everyone around him. Education is at the core of everything Akin does – whether it is mentoring hairdressers or visiting other countries to share his techniques and disciplines.

“The most rewarding part of educating other hairdressers is the satisfaction, he says, “I love the look on their face when they improve, I love that light bulb moment!”

Education, for Akin is based on many factors. He used to do martial arts, so he understands the value of repetition to become a master. “On top of that, there needs to be an understanding of beauty. So apart from teaching just technical skills, we work on understanding the objective of what we do. And I think that’s ultimately to make people feel attractive, feel good about themselves, or for them to state who they are.”

So, with a myriad of awards to his name, busy and successful salons, and an academy in demand from all corners of the globe, what’s the future hold for Akin?

“I feel like I’m really only just beginning! I have an incredible team around me, especially my creative team Jake Unger, Warren Boodaghian and Nestor Sanchez who share my passion in education and high standards. I love teaching and watching people build their confidence and skills.”