Errol douglas's hairdressing career in pictures

Errol Douglas is one of the most respected hairdressers of his generation. Here he shares the story behind some of the images that have defined his hairdressing career.  

• "In 2003, I was presented with Fellowship Hairdresser of the Year. It was very emotional for me as it is a coveted award and the winner is nominated by my peers in the industry. It's great to be recognised for the work you do but to be recognised by the people you admire makes it even more special."



• "Celebrities are a big part of my life and I do the hair for a lot of famous people for red carpet events in the UK. I like working with them as much as I do my clients, as they have great stories to tell and appointments with them are always fun. There are so many hairdressers in London that it's a great feeling when they request you as you know they have seen your work and like it."

• "I worked with photographer Alex Cecchini in 2005 for my HJ's British Hairdresser of the Year entry and this image is from that collection. It was called Russian Resistance and we worked with hard lines and severe angles. I am known for creating beautiful, contemporary work and I wanted to design something completely different. It was a lot of fun working on a shoot like this as it made people sit up and pay attention."



• "We shot this image as part of our 2007 Artistic Team of the Year for HJ's British Hairdressing Awards collection. I do a lot of seminars and presentation work around the country and the work I do onstage is different to the work I photograph. This is a lot more edgy, street and youth-influenced."



• "I love working in the salon, but I also enjoy doing session work as well. This image was shot for a magazine spread in 2004 where I worked with Alex Cecchini, Irena Rogers and Robert Morrison - a dream team. It was very commercial and I think it has stood the test of time. Working in the salon is great as it keeps you abreast of what is happening on the high street, but session work allows me to be creative and ahead of the trends."

• "I have won many awards and am proud of them all. I was chosen as Man of the Year by Cosmopolitan magazine last year, which is for community work. At the salon we donate time to the Centrepoint charity in London and Hairdressers Against AIDS. We also work with various deaf and blind charities and the Queen Charlotte's baby unit in London. I have been very fortunate and it's important that both me and my team give something back."



• "In 2007, I won HJ's Afro Hairdresser of the Year for the third time, taking me into the Hall of Fame. Only the best of the best are members of the Hall of Fame and to be in that kind of company is breathtaking. I have so much respect for people who get into it, but some people are in there for winning two categories three times which is absolutely amazing. To be part of this elite group is something everyone should dream about achieving."

• Cover favourite
  
  "I have had seven covers with this image and it won me an award as well. It was shot by Andrew O'Toole who I work with a lot. Andrew really understands women and knows how to get the best from them. He is meticulous about his work and who he works with. While you are pushing yourself on a shoot to get the best result, Andrew is pushing you even harder to break the boundaries and be more creative."



• Changing shapes
  
  "This is from my 2007 HJ's Afro Hairdresser of the Year and it is one of my favourite images. I was playing with shapes in this collection and instead of being predictably round I created a triangular shape. It's actually an extreme version of what's happening right now with 80s influenced fashion."



• Honour and a privilege
  
  "When I heard I had received an MBE I was amazed. I went to the palace the day before Valentine's Day in 2008 to receive my honour. I was very excited, emotional and nervous. It isn't something many people experience so I feel privile ged to be recognised for the work I do. However, I didn't believe the honour was for me but the industry and the work we do with clients, making them feel and look better and raising the profile of British hairdressing around the world."