Hair salon apprentice for Long Eaton business crowned winner of national competition

Photo: Front row: Mia (R) with her model, Gracie Green. Back row: Patrick Cameron MBE; singer/presenter, Fleur East; Max Amen, Managing Director Wella Company UK/I; & Tatiana Suvorova, Senior Director Sales and Education Wella Company UK/I .

An apprentice hair stylist from the training academy of a Long Eaton-based hair salon business has come out on top in a national competition which celebrates the next generation of hairdressing talent from across the UK & Ireland.

Twenty-year-old Mia Buckle, a 2nd-year apprentice at the KH Hair Academy on Derby Road, was crowned the winner of TrendVision Award 2026 XPOSURE Future Talent UK & Ireland at a glittering ceremony in London, as part of a two-day celebration of hair, creativity and culture, held over the course of 14th and 15th September.

The XPOSURE competition gives young stylists the opportunity to showcase their creativity, technical skills and vision on a national stage alongside some of the best emerging talent in the industry.

After success in the first-stage photographic heats, Mia was shortlisted along with 11 other finalists who came together during the event to prepare their models backstage, before lining up and parading in front of the judges – some of the UK’s most prolific hair industry stylists – who were looking for ‘technical confidence, imaginative application and a beautiful, finished total look’.

Mia said it was an exciting but nerve-racking experience. “I had to colour, cut and style my model whilst competing alongside some incredible young stylists,” she says. “A lot of preparation went into the finished look, so to see all my hard work had paid off was amazing! Finding out I won is a moment I will never forget. I was so shocked and overwhelmed. I felt lost for words.”

As well as taking to the stage to collect her National TrendVision Award trophy, Mia will receive a tailored education development plan and a valuable hairdressing toolkit.

She said: “I’d definitely love to push myself more creatively and enter more competitions in the future as I’ve really enjoyed the whole experience. I’m still only in my second year, so there is so much more I want to learn and experience. I’d love to keep developing my skills and potentially have my own salon one day, however for now I’m just excited to keep training and building.”

Salon directors, Dawn Bramhall and Helen Stilwell were there to support her at the event, along with Group managing director, Darren Messias.

Dawn said: “We are so very proud of Mia. She is brimming with creativity and has a genuine passion for hairdressing. This is her first step on the hair industry competition ladder and we can’t wait to see what comes next for her. We’re all excited to watch her career journey unfold and to see her flourish into a talented and successful stylist.”

Mia said that the support from her colleagues at the salon in which she works,has been amazing: “They have always encouraged me and pushed me to work my hardest. “The team has been and always will be incredible. They’ve helped me gain my confidence and always encouraged me to go for it and try to be the best I can be. Having everyone’s support has really helped to make the experience so enjoyable and comfortable.”

Darren added that he was sure that the success in the competition is just the beginning for what is going to be an exciting journey for Mia.

He said: “All of us are absolutely delighted and so proud of her. It really is testament to all her hard work, determination and commitment. It is also a reflection of the support and encouragement from her team and the excellent training she has received both at the salon and our training academy. Many congratulations once again.”