Nial Colgan Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Limerick hairdresser Niall Colgan, Creative Director at Bellissimo Limerick, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hair Style Awards on Sunday April 27 in the Limerick Hilton Hotel. Pictured with Niall is presenter Catriona Tierney and Sinead Ni Neachtain event sponsor.
Picture by Conor O'Brien
Bellissimo’s Niall Colgan receives Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hair Style Awards
Hairdressing dynamo Niall Colgan, Creative director at Bellissimo Limerick, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Hair Style Awards last Sunday April 27, at the Limerick Hilton Hotel.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was the final award presented on the night and Niall was delighted to be recognised for his achievements to date. Niall started working in hairdressing at the age of fifteen with The Hugh Campbell Hair Group where he worked for 20 years. Four years ago Niall became Creative Director at Bellissimo Limerick and since then has given his time to growing his team, teaching and supporting staff, all the while maintaining a hectic weekly schedule to accommodate his large and very loyal clientele. Niall also recently showcased “Structure”, a personal hair collection, built around his belief that hair must have structure and clean lines, and it must always compliment the face.
The Hair Style Awards provided an opportunity for salons throughout Limerick, Clare, Cork, Tipperary, Kerry, Waterford and Galway to showcase their talent. It was an opportunity to reward new talents, and for salons and their staff to shine.
The event was organised by Gavin Kiely who explained “There was a category to suit everyone, from best salon to best trainee, and we were very proud to also recognise the contribution of smaller salons.”
During the day, judges Michael Young from London and Kieran O’Gorman from Kilkenny judged the entrants for the Look 2008 award. Michael who is North Eastern England Hairdresser of the Year 2006 and five time winner of the L’oreal Colour Trophy with his partner Gary Hooker, was very impressed with the standard of entries and took time to speak with all the competitors and tell them that they should all be extremely proud of their work.
Over 200 people gathered in the City View suite in the Limerick Hilton Hotel later Sunday evening to hear the results. The evening was hosted by the ever glamorous Catriona Tierney and kicked off with Trainee of the Year which was presented by Barry Kiely of Fun Ireland to Yvonne Moynihan of Zenith in Galway. Colourist of the Year was presented by Michael Young to Louise Butler of Cats in Limerick. Stylist of the Year went to Alex Reid of Ikon in Cork and was presented by Alan Gleeson from Essential Salon Supplies. Salon of the Year, five or less staff, was presented by Olivia O Sullivan and was awarded to Kulture Kurl in Galway. Salon of the Year, more than five staff, went to Foxy Choppers in Waterford and was presented by designer Alan Kelly.
The big award of the night was ‘The Look 2008’ award – this award was designed to show the direction hair will take over the coming year and the winner of this award will get a front cover on Limerick/Cork/Galway Now and a four page spread inside, along with a feature in Creative Head magazine. In addition to this, the winner will also fly to London to work with internationally renowned hairstylist Errol Douglas who will direct a photoshoot of the winning look.