The HAIR BY SCHWARZKOPF Festival offered a platform for inspiration with over 55 artists from 25 countries and more than 600 participants from 45 nations, including professionals, artists, creators, opinion leaders, customers, media and influencers. Hosted at the iconic Motorwerk Berlin – a historic brick building built in 1921 that once produced electric motors – the venue’s raw industrial charm transformed into a vibrant hub of inspiration for professionals from around the world.
Celebrating the future of hairdressing alongside a global community of passionate hair professionals, the event offered an immersive celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and connection. Fuelled by the Schwarzkopf slogan FOR EVERY YOU, the festival underscored the brand’s commitment to support and connect customers in new and meaningful ways, elevating the industry through innovation and a renewed focus on community. International HAIR BY SCHWARZKOPFPRO collection artists and speakers, including Schwarzkopf Professional’s Global Ambassadors Nick Irwin, Lisa Farrall and Lesley Jennison, and legendary British photographer Rankin, shared groundbreaking techniques and insights, showcasing the future of hairdressing through various shows, interviews, panels and workshops.
With 60 immersive activities across four stages, guests explored how hair connects to culture, fashion, personal stories, social media, business and mindfulness, with electrifying live shows, hands-on ‘look & learn’ sessions, thought-provoking talks, interviews, panels and interactive workshops.
Beyond the stages, experience areas brought the festival’s spirit to life with a stunning image gallery, virtual reality experiences, science experiments and demonstrations, as well as the famous Schwarzkopf swing and a ball pit.
The headline act was celebrity stylist and Schwarzkopf Global Hair Colour Ambassador, Chris Appleton. Responsible for some of Hollywood’s most iconic looks, Chris took guests on a wild ride through his personal journey in the hair industry, sharing stories from his career, highlighting the transformative power of hair, and revealing the highs, lows and unforgettable moments that shaped his professional path. These behind-the-scenes insights inspired guests to elevate their craft and make their very own mark on the industry.
A dynamic celebration of modern hair culture, individuality and artistic expression. On stage, industry pioneers like Lesley Jennison, Brendnetta Ashley, Patricia Nikole and SHY+FLO showcased their signature techniques, bringing their creative vision to life and setting a new benchmark for showcasing the services that salon clients will ask for tomorrow. Seamless colour blends, contemporary cuts and innovative styling, placed a strong spotlight on the standout salon services of 2025: Contract Blonde, Curly Pop and Embrace Grey, each brought to life on stage through inspiring, beautifully crafted variations.
UK Ambassador, Siobhan Haug, was joined on stage by Canadian Ambassador Robin LaChance. The pair unveiled cutting-edge techniques and seamless blending, transforming hair into beautiful and colourful works of art using Chroma ID.
In this high-energy, interactive session, UK Ambassador and Salon Owner, Daniel Granger, delved into the power of unlocking successful mindsets to help attract dream clients, more confidence and magnetic energy.
Photographer, publisher and film director, Rankin, took guests on a journey through his remarkable career, diving into the transformative power of hair in photography. He also teased his exciting collaboration with Schwarzkopf Professional – a partnership rooted in diversity, community and the fearless expression of individuality. Hosted by Nick Irwin, Global Schwarzkopf Professional Ambassador, the session gave insight into Rankin’s vision and artistry. Rankin was also part of the HAIR BY SCHWARZKOPFPRO collection show, which he shot live on stage.
