Long Eaton-trained hair stylist beats hundreds to take home the trophy in top UK hairdressing competition

A hairdresser who trained at the KH Hair Academy in Long Eaton has scooped one of the highest hairdressing accolades in the UK, winning gold in the ‘Transformation’ category at the Professionals TrendVision Awards UK & Ireland Final 2025.

21-year-old Amelia Krasinski competed against hundreds of hairdressers in one of the world’s most prestigious annual hairdressing competitions. After impressing the judges at the photographic heats earlier this year, Amelia secured her position at the UK and Ireland final which was held at the National History Museum in London on Monday 6th October. 

Hosted by hairdressing legends Patrick Cameron and Fergal Doyle, the evening saw more than 520 guests filling the iconic Hintze Hall and enjoying a glitzy drinks reception, an exquisite formal dinner and presentations of incredible hair and exceptional talent. 

TrendVision is a competition designed to find the very best hairdressing talent in the UK and the Long Eaton-based firm was well represented on the night with Helen Stilwell, also from the Arnold salon, and Emily Dyer from the Group’s Nottingham salon among this year’s finalists. 

Amelia and her fellow competitors spent five hours perfecting their creations to show off on the catwalk in front of hundreds of guests. Working with her model, Lucy Noon, Amelia impressed the judges who had asked for a look that included a ‘total transformation of both colour and cut, embodying the beauty of the chosen model and ensuring optimum suitability’. 

Managing Director Darren Messias, was at the event acting as a judge on the ‘Editorial’ category and was delighted to be there to help Amelia celebrate the win. “We are absolutely thrilled for her,” he said. “As a company, we have been entering TrendVision for many years and have enjoyed many successes and finalists. However, this is the first time we have actually won, so to say we are proud of Amelia and our company is a massive understatement.

“Amelia works so hard at trying to improve as a hairdresser and is constantly pushing herself out of her comfort zone, so all this success she is having is very well deserved. We would also like to say a massive well done to Helen and Emily who also produced some outstanding work in the finals.”

Amelia, who is also a member of the Creative Team and has a coveted place on the Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s ClubStar Team, competed against some of the country’s most talented hairdressers to take home the award, winning prizes including an exclusive mentoring experience with Wella educators, a tailored education package, photo shoots and opportunities to grow her profile throughout the year. 

Speaking of her win, Amelia says she still can’t quite believe it. “I’m honestly still so shocked,” she said. “It was so surreal, but it really wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the whole of the business family, especially the Arnold team, salon director Dawn, and Darren. I’m just so grateful for the whole experience.”