LAUNCESTON based hairdresser Craig Chapman has once again beaten off nationwide opposition to win a prestigious hairdressing award.

He topped the competition to win the creative talent award at the national hairdressing competition ‘Most Wanted’.

Presented by Creative HEAD magazine, Most Wanted recognises the very best salons, teams and individuals in the UK and Irish hairdressing industry. The creative talent award is for a creative director or senior stylist with exceptional artistic skill and ability.

The judging panel included Vogue’s Lauren Murdoch-Smith and hairdresser Errol Douglas. They said they were impressed with Craig’s varied portfolio of work, which ranges from being an Afro hair specialist to working on some of the biggest TV shows around.

Craig was honoured at the national Cretive HEAD Most Wanted grand final, held on Monday, September 4, at London’s Guildhall.

The event was hosted by Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan and was attended by a 600-strong A-list crowd of people from the hair, fashion and media industries.

Along with his Most Wanted trophy, Craig won an exclusive prize and publicity in Creative HEAD magazine for the duration of his winning year.

Craig said: “This is the best! I honestly didn’t think this was going to happen but it validates the last few years of really hard work travelling around the country.

“When I came to write my award entry, I realised it wasn’t about me, it was about my whole salon, my family, my friends, my industry friends, the clients that I have met — everybody.

“This is about working really, really hard and being part of something bigger than myself and I am so proud.”

Catherine Handcock, publisher of Creative HEAD magazine, said: “Craig absolutely fizzes with energy, and his passion for hairdressing comes through in everything he does. He’s never seen not being based in London as a hindrance to his creativity or as a block for him not reaching his goals; in fact he has used it to his advantage and his dedication to life-long learning, coupled with spotting gaps in the market, mean he is well-deserving of this highly sought-after award.”