WINNER - Black Beauty / Sensationnel Hair Awards

Michelle Thompson - Stylist of the Year

Michelle Thompson - Stylist of the Year

Around 400 guests attended the spectacular Black Beauty / Sensationnel Hair Awards 2011 ceremony at the Hilton London Metropole on Sunday 27th November 2011. The evening was a fitting tribute to the best afro hairdressers from the UK and rest of the world. It was an evening of glamour, laughter and high drama.

Up-and-coming comedian Jason Patterson got the evening’s entertainment going with his side-splitting routine. The glamour was provided by the Hairology show, produced by award winning stylist Allan Henry. It was a mix of incredible hairstyles, fashion, song and an amazing dance routine capturing the very best of old Hollywood musicals.

Over a hundred stylists took part in the competition to win one of the twelve category awards with the much coveted Stylist of the Year title going to Michelle Thompson from the Francesco Group. This is the only second time in the seventeen year history of the awards that a Northern based stylist has won the top award.

Black Beauty/Sensationnel Hair Awards was launched in 1995 to recognise the intricacy and diversity of afro hairdressing. It is a photographic hair competition and the finalists are judged for their technical skill, as well as the photographic presentation of their work.

Flying the Flag in Birmingham

FG Birmingham - Soon in House of Fraser

We are incredibly excited to announce that Francesco Group will be teaming up with House of Fraser once again, to launch our flagship salon in the Birmingham store in February 2012.

We have exciting opportunities for all positions within the salon. Call Paula Parkes on 07887 942441 or click here to email Paula for more information.

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Claire Chell WINS Most Wanted Colour Expert of 2011

Claire Chell - Most Wanted Colour Expert

We are delighted to announce that Claire Chell, FG's Creative Colour Director has won the coveted title of 'Colour Expert of 2011' at the Creative Head Most Wanted Awards.

The most artistic event of all the hairdressing awards, leading hairdressing indistry magazine Creative Head present the titles annually to celebrate hairdressing's superstars. There are 10 titles up for grabs. Most Wanted is a chance for hairdressing industry members in all fields to shine, with categories ranging from hairdressing creativity to business skills.

Starting her hairdressing career as a Saturday girl at FG Uttoxeter, 13 years on Claire has gained specialist colour knowledge, which has led her to teach at the FG Academy, work closely with Director, Anya Dellciompagni on shoots and shows, plus showcase her work in trade an consumer press.

With a love of all things bright and beautiful, Claire comments on her creative CV; "Colour excites me! I get to express myself through it every day and adore that moment of transformation when you show a client or model the finished look."

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FG Reach the Finals of the British Hairdressing Awards

British Hairdressing Awards - Finalists

Three of Francesco Group's Creative Team have reach the finals of the British Hairdressing Awards.

Anya Dellicompagni has made it through to the Midlands Hairdresser of the Year category with her stunning true romance collection, Michelle Thompson will be hoping to win Afro Hairdresser of the Year for the second time, and Claire Chell is hoping to beat off the competiton in the Colour Technician of the Year category.

The prestigous Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday 28th November at the Grosvernor House Hotel in London.

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FG Finalists for Three British Hairdressing Business Awards

British Hairdressing Business Awards - Finalists

The Francesco Group, who have 31 hairdressing salons employing over 450 staff have reached the finals in the three categories in the 2011 British Hairdressing Business Awards.

Business Director - sponsored by Hairdressers Journal
Marketing Award - sponsored by Racoon International
Training Award - sponsored by Wella Professional

Francesco Group, was recently voted by a panel of industry experts and independent business judges to be one of the key driving forces within the hairdressing industry. To achieve finalist status in these highly competitive awards is a fantastic achievement and highlights the successful business acumen and skills that is associated with Francesco Group.

Francesco Group is one of only 6 businesses in the UK to receive finalist status within each of these categories in the British Hairdressing Business Awards. Presented by Hairdressers Journal International, the British Hairdressing Business Awards are now celebrating their 14th anniversary, and are designed to specifically reward excellence and exceptional business practice. "Year-on-year, the standard of entries has grown and developed,” comments Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Hairdressers Journal International, Jayne Lewis-Orr. "Entries are alive with innovation, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial expertise showing amazing skills across the breadth of business management, and this year was no exception. The judges had a very difficult job selecting the finalists in each category. To achieve finalist status in these awards is a tremendous testimony Francesco Group successful business acumen".

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KeraStraight Repair and Straightening Treatment

KeraStraight Repair & Straightening

We're pleased to announce the launch of KeraStraight Repair and Straightening treatment in many of our salons.

After recent revelations about chemical formaldehyde levels in many semi-permanent straightening products, the FG Creative Team set about researching the market to find the very best product for our salons, to which KeraStraight held the answer.

This revolutionary service gives unrivalled conditioning, shine and strength to hair for up to four months and, most importantly, is 100% formaldehyde free. With smooth, sleek hair a popular A-List look, KeraStraight is the perfect on-trend style solution, with the following three treatment types to choose from:

Colour Protect - For colour treated hair
KS Complex - For normal hair
KS Intensive - For very course or Afro-Caribbean hair

To visit the KeraStraight website, click here.

KeraStraight treatments are available in the following salons...

• Cheadle,
• Chester,
• Congleton,
• Eccleshall,
• Lichfield,
• Nantwich,
• Shrewsbury,
• Bridle Road, Stafford,
• Weeping Cross, Stafford,
• Streetly,
• Tamworth
• and Wolverhampton.

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FG Telford Now Open

Ben Dellicompagni Cut's the FG Telford Ribbon

Our new salon, FG Telford, is now open. Situated in House of Fraser on New Road, Francesco Group's Managing Director Ben Dellicompagni - along with a Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton) look-a-like - cut the all important launch party ribbon to allow guests to indulge in champagne and canapés while soaking up the celebratory atmosphere.

And on the day's agenda? A presentation of the latest hair trends by the new FG Telford team and entertainment from ITV's Britain's Got Talent dance group, High Definition.

Click here to visit the FG Telford page.

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Black Beauty / Sensationnel Hair Awards

Black Beauty & Sensationnel Awards

After having been a Stylist of the Year for five consecutive years running, the talents of Advanced Academy Creative Director, Michelle Thompson, have once again served her proud at the Black Beauty / Sensationnel Hair Awards, by gaining Finalist staus this year too. Michelle has also been shortlisted for the weave stylist of the Year - a title that she gained in 2009.

For Stylist of the Year, Michelle was judged on the quality of hair, creative skill and presentation, while for Weave Stylist of the Year, the focus was on the level of skill and talent using the weaving and finishing technique.

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FG Celebrates Young Talent with College Awards

FG College Awards

FG College Awards

FG College Awards

Budding young hairdressers who work with Francesco Group’s college partnerships were recently invited to create a commercial look inspired by a current hair trend and send in a photographic entry for the Francesco Group College Awards.

Entries were judged by Francesco Group’s very own art team, Team Inspiration and the awards took place at local nightclub ‘Casa’ with 400 attendees. The night featured a show by Team Inspiration and Midlands Hairdressers of the Year, Jacky Crosby and Lewis Moore spoke about winning their award and gave tips on how to interpret a trend and create a winning look. The winners were then announced and after show celebrations began!

Click here to see all the photos from the College Awards Night 2011.

Year 1 Results

Winner - Ayleshe Smith, Stafford College
2nd Place - Jack Broom, Somerset College
3rd Place - Gabriella Nickless, Stafford College


Year 2 Results

Winner - Emily Faulkner, Wolverhampton College
2nd Place - Tiffany Clark, Wolverhampton College
3rd Place - Will Hall, Yorkshire Coast College


Year 3 Results

Winner - Monika Balu, Walsall College
2nd Place - Emma Heywood, Tameside College
3rd Place - Jill Clark, Walsall College


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