Cleckheaton hairdresser bids for UK title

Joseph Smith, 25, is bidding to be named the UK Student of the Year in a competition run by the Hair Council.

The trainee stylist, who combines working in Krystal’s Salon on Westfield Lane with studying for his professional qualifications at Bradford College, has entered the ‘cut and blow dry’ category of the prestigious awards.

If he makes it through to the final, the young hopeful will head to London in May and recreate his design live in front of a star-studded judging panel made up of X-Factor stylist Jamie Stevens and celebrity hairdressers Andrew Barton and Patrick Cameron.

“It would be amazing to get through to the final. I was happy with the finished result but it is over to the judges now,” said Joseph.

He prepared his entry in the college’s in-house salon before submitting photographs.

Before enrolling at the college, Joseph spent seven years working weekends as a mobile stylist while holding down a full-time job as a production engineer. After taking the decision to concentrate on hair, he has gained a regular and loyal clientele at the salon and impressed owner Krystal with his talents.

“Joe loves being creative with hair and new techniques such as balayage. He has become known for his session styling work and his great lengths extension work,” she said.