Thin Line between Business and Art

by Akin Konizi

The “British Hairdresser of the Year 2005” title holder and a nominee for the “British Hairdresser of the Year 2006” title — Akin Konizi — is the International Art.Director of the HOB group of salons, consisting of 11 successful salons throughout Great Britain. Whether it is a change of image, shooting, trend forecasts or consultations — the media willingly calls him an expert in all these areas.
But Akin can call himself an expert in a very different field, as well — along with his partners — Clive Collins and Paul Simbler — they share the title “British Business Directors of the Year 2006”. They attained international recognition of the HOB salons network, and founded the HOB academy in 1998.

You were nominated for the “British Hairdresser of the Year” award. What did it mean for you?
Being nominated for “British Hairdresser of the Year” was an amazing achievement for me. It gave me the platform to be heard and recognized as an ambassador to our industry. As a hairdressing business, we have always felt it important to be involved with charity events. We personally take part in as many as possible ranging from the Alternative Hair Show and the Benevolent, through to commu. nity events and local charities.

How do you feel about being a role model in this field?
Being a role model within an industry I am so passionate about is amazing. I feel extremely proud and happy to be an inspiration and an example to others who aspire to be a suc. cess in the hairdressing world.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
The most enjoyable thing about my job is the opportunity to express my creativity. Whether it's in hair.cutting or through busi. ness, my profession inspires me and allows me to radiate this through my work.

What inspired you, when you created the new HOB collection of 2007?
I wanted to cover all aspects of hairdressing. This ranged from cutting, through to plaiting. My goal was to expand our skills and broaden our horizons within the hairdressing industry.

Where is the line between art and pro. motion of the brand?
The line is visible when your art becomes detrimental to your brand. This is when the two elements become commercially unviable.

What do you personally do for the brand being art-director?
As artistic director for the Hob Salons group I have evolved the brand through photo. graphic work that I and the art team regular. ly produce. Additionally, through teaching and education, I share my knowledge and keep the brand moving with the trends. I oversee all the imagery that is put out in the salons and in the trade and consumer press on a local, national and international level ensuring it reflects and is consistent with our brand and image.

How do you combine artistic and business sides of your work?
By having a very messy diary! I believe that you need to find a balance between the two areas. I love the artistic and creative elements of my work but I feel it is important for me, my part. ners and my team to be informed and involved in running of the business, too.

How should a hairdresser open his busi. ness to make it successful — not just a salon chain, but to create a brand that sets standards for the fashion trends all over the world?
To have success all round, you need to have a combination of the right factors all working well together. You need an inter. nationally recognizable brand, a good rela. tionship with the press locally, nationally and internationally, win awards and attend and be involved in events, seminars and shows. A mixture of these elements will allow you to identify coming trends, remain up.to.date and be a leading brand in the industry.

What makes HOB SALONS so special and unique?
Hob Salons work so well because of the team. There are three of us who are all partners. We are each very different but share the same core objective. We have a loyal team of staff who respect the management and each other, and an education system that moti. vates and inspires. Essentially, our business has the growing potential to fulfill dreams and aspirations.

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