Andrew Clark, founder of the F.A.M.E. Team program says: “We’re keen to stress that being part of the F.A.M.E. Team does not necessarily make young hairdressers “famous"! It’s not an instant path to glory. However, it is a spectacular launch pad for young stylists, many of whom have gone on to become the key players in the industry over the past fifteen plus years. Over the course of the year F.A.M.E. Team members experience the creativity of their fellows and get an invaluable insight into how the top end of the industry really works. The Fellowship gives the team wings, and then its up to them how and where they fly…"

F.A.M.E. Team

The Fellowship Academy of Merit and Excellence (F.A.M.E.) Team are selected annually to promote a new generation of bright young hairdressers Nominated exclusively by Fellowship members the potential team members undergo a rigorous selection process that includes photographic work, a test of the candidates ability to recreate their photograph under time pressure, a detailed CV, an in-depth interview, a long hair assessment and a 2 minute live demonstration of their hairdressing skills onstage at Salon.

A busy and fulfilling year is organised for the F.A.M.E Team. This involves photographic shoots, media publicity, fashion shows, hairdressing seminars and events. Above all the team hone their skills and are given a unique platform to shine.

Top hairdressers who started their careers in the F.A.M.E Team include Umberto Giannini, Errol Douglas, Antoinette Beenders, Lisa Shepherd, Carolyn Newman, Paul Merritt, Zoë Irwin
… and many more.

Introducing the F.A.M.E. TEAM 2008
“Remember, you saw them here first…!”™

Carly Aplin, 22 (aka the cool blonde)
 One cool customer, she began hairdressing as a 16 year old and is now to be found at one of Leeds’ most stylish and influential salons. Carly is in love with texture and the concept behind the work that secured her place on the F.A.M.E. Team, Gothic Angels, saw the hair transformed into a fabric like substance. “I am just so excited by the thought of being able to explore the links between high fashion and hair and also to be able to learn new ways of working. Not only from the really big names in the industry, but also from the other F.A.M.E. Team girls as we will all have been taught different techniques and approaches.”

Katie Hubbard, 23 (aka the indie chick)
 Katie’s flamboyant personal style is tempered by a down to earth and engaging personality. For the past eight years this girl has lived entirely for hairdressing and her enthusiasm is really endearing as is her gratitude to Royston Blythe and Nick Malenko her employers and mentors for allowing her to seize this opportunity. “I like to create statement hair, whether the message is subtle or strong. I’ve always been aware of the F.A.M.E. Team’s achievements and to have made the grade is just unbelievable. I feel so honoured and I plan to repay the Fellowship and Royston and Nick for their faith in me by working as hard and creatively as I can.”

Vicky Turner (aka the glamourpuss)
 Like all the girls who have made the grade this year Vicki has benefited from learning from a major player on the UK hairdressing scene. The Goldsworthys salon is no stranger to winning all manner of prestigious awards. A self confessed ‘total hairdressing junkie’ Vicky has shadowed her mentor Steven Goldsworthy from salon to show to shoot over the past 7 years. Her particular passion is classically dressed long hair with contemporary fashion influence; her recent work has had an updated 1940s flavour, which echoes what’s happening in the fashion industry right now. “I am really excited about working with the girls on what will be an amazing year and proving that we can bond just as well as men and bring a new buzz to the hair business.”

Adele Simpkin, 23 (aka the purist)
 Adele’s route to the F.A.M.E. Team differs from that of the other girls. As the winner of the Project X Student of the Year initiative, a year-long educational course dubbed the ‘ultimate finishing school for young hairdressers,’ her repertoire of skills already includes photographic work and session work. Adele is extremely focused and has shown she can consistently deliver the goods over a 12-month period. Quietly determined, her signature style is classic with a twist and she likes to look beyond the hair industry for influences in her work. “I consider my main strength to be my cutting ability, but the F.A.M.E. team experience is all about creating the complete hairdresser and I expect my presentation skills to become more polished as well as taking my technical skills to another level. This really is the opportunity of a lifetime and I’m determined to be a good ambassador for British hairdressing”

Megan Zarrabi, 20 (aka the Geometrist)
 The baby of the group, Megan has absorbed the hob philosophy of precision cut geometric lines right down to her fingertips. She has a maturity and low-key self-assurance beyond her years, which has probably been encouraged by her experiences as a child model. This was her first attempt to make the team and she had philosophically resigned herself to trying again next year before the line-up was announced. She is keen to hone her clean, concise cutting ability and develop strengths in hair-ups as well as pushing the boundaries with avant-garde styling. “The working trip to Australia will be awesome as will working with recognised hairdressers on shoots and learning trade secrets from the best of British.”

2008 F.A.M.E. Team Artistic Director - Jonny Engstrom
Team Manager - Dawn Bryant