Fresh from his most recent award success, Lee Stafford returned to his Academy of Hairdressing, Barbering & Applied Therapies at Afan College to present three lecturers with a very special award.
Pam O’Brien, Rebecca Crew and Claire Richardson were awarded their Master Trainer Diploma, also known as the ‘Golden Scissors’, for hitting their ‘Big 10’ outcomes in all Level 2 and Level 3 recipes. Lee explained: “The Golden Scissors are given only when they can replicate recipes as well as me. It’s no easy task. It normally takes two years; they have to video themselves doing every single recipe, then send it into our team. We assess it against the Lee Stafford Education video. Did they follow the steps that I did? Did they get the same results? And when they can do every recipe to a ‘Big 10’ standard, that’s our Michelin Star equivalent, they get the Golden Scissors.
During his visit, Lee also met with the current cohort of Hairdressing and Applied therapies, giving them a demonstration of two of his signature recipes; Long Disconnected Layer Cut and Twisted Tong, recounting his path to success and answering their questions. Among the questions put to him were: “When did you realise that you’d made it?” to which he replied that he still hasn’t! He was also asked about his favourite and least favourite parts of his job and recounted some of the different experiences he’s had whilst working as a Hairdresser in London and across the world.
He even had time for a couple of selfies and to give away some of his ever-popular products to students who posed questions.
It’s been a busy month for Lee. Earlier in September, the Lee Stafford Education Foundation was named winner of the first-ever Education Expert category at the annual Most Wanted Awards, held at the spectacular Tate Modern, London.
The Education Expert trophy goes to an individual or team delivering exceptional education for the hairdressing industry. One of the most glamorous nights in the hairdressing calendar, every year Most Wanted brings together industry icons, superstars, and tastemakers to celebrate the most exciting, progressive, and game-changing hair talents in the UK and Ireland. Presented by premier hairdressing magazine Creative HEAD and hosted by the comedian Suzi Ruffell, the 2022 event was the biggest on record, with 16 trophies handed out on the night.
Hairdressing legend Lee Stafford –whose eponymous bright pink product line is sold in Boots –has spent the past few years trying to fix a persistent problem – hairdressing college graduates are rarely salon-ready. It’s his ‘Omelette Analogy’: if hair was cookery, then students are being taught hundreds of different ways to make a not very good omelette –and the answer is to have one Michelin Star way to do it.
So, he created The Big 10, a kitemark for hair that trainers from his non-profit foundation take to colleges nationwide
Lee and his team won the prestigious Most Wanted trophy, a prize from category sponsor Colour start, publicity across the Creative HEAD brand for the duration of their winning year and the opportunity to appear at Creative HEAD events.
Creative HEAD publisher Catherine Handcock said: “Anything’s possible in hairdressing if you have the solid foundation skills in place. Lee’s determination to give every college student the best start possible is so impressive, and the curriculum draws on his vast experience at the very top of the trade. This recognition is well-deserved.”
NPTC Group of Colleges is very proud to have played a small part in Lee’s success in the field of education, being the only Lee Stafford Academy in Wales, delivering exceptional training at Afan College, Brecon Beacons College and Newtown College.
Students practice cutting-edge styles and techniques, known as recipes, designed by Lee and other leading stylists from across the industry in purpose-built salons that are open to the public.
Lee Stafford: “It’s great to be able to give something back to students. I’m very passionate about giving young professionals the best opportunity for a good education, especially in Hairdressing.
Above all, I’m excited to work with NPTC Group of Colleges’ students to develop really strong techniques and great attitudes in preparation for a career in the hairdressing industry.”
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