Andrew Collinge
Andrew Collinge is a highly acclaimed hairdresser with a long and illustrious career. He began his hairdressing career in 1974 with his father in Liverpool, before completing his training at the prestigious London salon Michaeljohn in 1976. During his six years at Michaeljohn, he assisted both Michael Rasser and John Isaacs within the salon and on numerous photo shoots, and even the legendary Robert Lobetta, the master of Avant Garde hairdressing, on his photo shoots.
In 1985, Andrew and his wife, make-up artist Liz Collinge, opened the first Andrew Collinge salon in Heswall, Wirral. In 1988 they were invited to do makeovers on the first week of the ITV show 'This Morning', going on to complete over 500 hair and make-up transformations during their time on the show. Such was the demand for a makeover with Andrew and Liz, they opened a makeover studio in the famous department store, Harrods.
Andrew has been the recipient of many awards, including North West Hairdresser of the Year three times, British Hairdresser of the Year twice, and AIPP Hairdresser of the Year in 2000, as well as being inducted into the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame and elected President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing. He also launched the Andrew Collinge Salon Solutions product range in 1993, which was sold through Boots, major retailers, and overseas.
In 2000, Andrew was invited to style the hair of Sophie Rhys-Jones on the occasion of her marriage to HRH Prince Edward at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and in 2008, Andrew and Liz looked after the hair and make-up of Autumn Kelly for her marriage to Peter Phillips, the Queen’s eldest grandson.
Within the company today, Andrew works alongside the Creative Team on photo shoots and hairdressing events, and members of the salon teams have been successful in winning or reaching the finals of hairdressing competitions.
Andrew is seen as an authority on training issues and will often lobby on behalf of the hairdressing industry. He is currently a member of Hairdressing Apprenticeship Trailblazing board.
Andrew Collinge is a highly experienced and accomplished hairdresser whose passion and creativity has kept him at the cutting edge of the hair world for over 30 years. He is a true industry icon and an inspiration to many.
Away from hairdressing, he is an active fundraiser for the charity Hft. A UK charity that supports adults with learning disabilities. He is also a Founder Patron of The Hive Youth Zone in Birkenhead, Wirral.
Andrew Collinge Timeline
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1977
An image from Andrew’s first photo shoot, taking influence from the Punk scene. At that time Andrew was working at the top London salon MichaelJohn. He went onto become their Artistic Director.
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1985
On returning to Liverpool with his wife, make-up artist Liz Collinge, they opened the first Andrew Collinge salon in Heswall, Wirral in 1985.
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1988
Andrew and Liz on the set of This Morning. They were invited to carry out a makeover on the first week of the daytime ITV show in October 1988. Makeovers were a popular item with the viewers and Liz and Andrew went on to complete over 500 transformations during their time on the show.
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1993
British Hairdresser of the Year. The British Hairdressing Awards were founded in 1984. Andrew won the title Midland Hairdresser of the Year in that year and the two following years. These three wins resulted him being inducted into the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1993 he went on to win British Hairdresser of the Year.
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1993
In the same year as winning British Hairdresser and with an increased profile due to regular appearances on This Morning, a range of Andrew Collinge hair care products were launched. They were initially available through Boots before appearing in major UK retailers and going on to be sold internationally. In 2000 Liz Collinge launched her own make up range which were retailed exclusively in Boots stores in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
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1996
Following in his father’s footsteps, Andrew became President of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing in 1996. Pictured here is Andrew and Liz with Ronnie and Vidal Sassoon at the President’s Dinner, Claridge’s Hotel, London. Vidal was Patron of Honour of the Fellowship.
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1997
This hairstyle proved to be immensely popular with clients. It was also popular with other hairdressers and was voted Fellowship for British Hairdressing Image of the Year.
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1997
British Hairdresser of the Year. Winning this prestigious award for a second time was a first for a non London based hairdresser.
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1997
Such was the demand for a makeover with Andrew and Liz they opened a dedicated makeover studio in the world famous department store, Harrods.
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2000
AIPP Grand Trophy. A particularly proud moment for Andrew when he was voted International Hairdresser of the Year by the international professional hairdressing press. He received the award in Paris and was the first British hairdresser to receive the AIPP Trophy.
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2005
Honorary Fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University in recognition of contribution to Business and Commerce.
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2014
Andrew and his father Peter were both active members of the hair industry’s leading creative organisation, the Fellowship for British Hairdressing. In 2014 Andrew was awarded the Fellowship’s Lifetime Achievement Award, following in Peter’s footsteps, who received the same award in 1992. Photographed with Andrew and Peter, is Sarah and Liz Collinge.
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2018
Receiving the Princess Royal Training Award from HRH The Princess Royal. The company has a long association with hairdressing training. The majority of our salon stylists and educators joined us as apprentices and have since gone on to become an integral part of the company. In 2018 Andrew Collinge Hairdressing was awarded a Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of its commitment to excellence in training and skills development.
