The Fellowship Academy of Merit and Excellence has named its F.A.M.E. Team for 2026, selecting four emerging hairdressers. This annual initiative, established to nurture and promote elite talent, aims to support stylists seeking career advancement. Mentor Christel-Barron Hough will guide the chosen four through 2026.
Troy Boyd, Creative Director at Anthony John Salons, joins the team after participating in Project Colour and being a finalist for ‘Salon Stylist of the Year’ at the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2024. Olivia Rose Brady, an established figure within the Fellowship community and Creative Director at The Honey Comb Hair, brings experience from the ClubStar Art Team and Project X.
Samantha Byrne, owner of Vanilla Hair Design in Ireland, adds significant expertise. She has been recognised as ‘Irish Hairdresser of the Year’ in 2019 and was a L’Oréal Colour Trophy Finalist, working with the Irish Hairdressing Federation and Alfaparf Academy.
Chelsey Stone, with over 16 years in the industry, completes the quartet. Having completed Project Colour and Project X, and receiving the Calligraphy Cut Scholarship in 2025, Stone highlights the importance of these projects in building confidence and creativity. The selection acknowledges their diverse skills across cutting, colouring, and styling.
The F.A.M.E. Team provides a structured development pathway, but the long-term impact of this exposure on the broader UK salon sector warrants observation. While accolades are important, the continuous investment in skills and creative development across all salon staff remains critical for business growth.
