Award-winning hairdresser Martin Crean has been nominated as a finalist in a sought-after international competition, topping off a difficult year for the industry.

Martin, owner of MODE Hair in Chipping Campden, has been chosen as a finalist for the prestigious International Hairdresser of the Year in the Australian Hair Industry Awards.

Judged by his peers across the globe, the international competition sees the greatest stylists from around the world compete for the coveted title.

Martin is no stranger to winning awards – he won the Artistic Team of the Year at the 2020 British Hairdressing Awards and is in the Hall of Fame for winning Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year three times.

Martene Mallett and Alison Adams were also shortlisted for Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year in 2020 and Kate Drury was named Newcomer of the Year.

So while Martin and his team are no strangers to winning awards, being named as best International hairdresser would be a dream come true.

The winner will be announced at a glittering event in June in Sydney, which will also be live streamed for a nervous Martin to watch from the UK.

“We’ve had a really difficult start to the year so to be recognised as one of the best hairdressers in the world is just amazing,” says Martin.

“I absolutely love my job and creating beautiful images, so for judges around the world to love my work is over whelming.

“It’s a privilege to be recognised for what I do every day – making my clients look and feel fabulous.

“We’ve been working round the clock since we reopened to fit all our wonderful clients in, as we know how a good hair cut and colour can really make a difference to how they feel.”