Craig Steely's Island Sanctuary, The Lavaflow 7 House.

The Lavaflow 7 - Mayer/Penland House on the Big Island of Hawaii by San Francisco- based architect Craig Steely.

The 2012 Winner and Visionary Award Finalists from London's Alternative Hair Show.

above: This year's winner of the Alternative Hair Visionary Award

2012 marks the 30th anniversary of Alternative Hair, during which time many of the world’s greatest hairdressers and hairdressing teams have appeared across the globe at Alternative Hair events in the UK, USA, Austria, Korea, Italy and Russia.

The 2012 Alternative Hair Show was held on Sunday 14th October, 30 years after the first Alternative Hair Show was held at London’s Camden Palace and adding funds to the £8.5 Million already raised in support of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.



The vision of Alternative Hair is to recognize and honor creative talent as well as recognizing the future stars of tomorrow. The Visionary Award, has developed from the original concept of Alternative Hair President Anthony Mascolo, and has become an increasingly popular addition to the show. Now an international competition, this year the Visionary Award semi-finals will be held at the World Championships in Milan.

Here's a look at the 2012 Visionary Award Winner and all the finalists. (to see images from the show's presentation, LEGENDS, go here)

This year's Winner Helen Reavey's work graces the cover of the October/November 2012 issue of Irish Hairdresser Magazine :

in the London show:



The 2012 Visionary Award Finalists in alphabetical order:

Anthony Kilcoyne, (3rd place of VA Ireland):


Ceri Cushen, UK:


Cristiano Leuzzi, Italy:


Emmanuel Esteban, UK:


Evequoz Francois, Switzerland:


Deiter Ferschinger, Austria:


Freda Rossidis, Australia:


Joe Yves-Asmar, Sweden:


Koczka, Hungary:


Lina Shamoun, Canada:


Mauro Santurro, Italy:


Michelle McDermott, 2nd place in VA Ireland):


Misha Cadkova, Czech Republic:


Olexander Gryshko, Ukraine:


Olga Provotorova, Russia:


Pawel Babicz, Poland:


Pino Troncone, Italy:


Robert Masciave, UK:


Roger Persson, Sweden:


Ruslana Moroz, Ukraine:


Tom Connell, UK:


Tony DeLiddo, Italy:


Why Alternative Hair exists:
In 1983 Tony and Maggie Rizzo lost their small son Valentino to Leukaemia. To keep the memory of Valentino alive and try and make a change: to improve the chances of a child surviving this terrible disease, Tony organised a ‘one off’ charity show. The immediate popularity of the Show meant he just had to do a show the following year and 30 years on the following within the hairdressing industry remains strong.

Alternative Hair Show links creativity with charity and is everlastingly dedicated to the hairdressers and to supporting the life saving work of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

The Alternative Hair Shows have raised an astonishing £8.5 million thus far for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research in the UK and for leukaemia charities worldwide.

This vital work continues with the establishment of The Alternative’s very own charity, The Alternative Hair Charitable Foundation.

Fabulous Finds for The Fancy Feline. Modern Beds and Bowls to Meow for.

If you've got both a cat and a sense of style, H.J. Mews has the feline furniture and feeding bowl for you.

Carrying some of the most modern and stylish cat pods and beds (some of which I've blogged about in the past) and an array of well-designed feeding bowls, H.J. Mews was initially launched in 1920 in New York.

The H.J. Mews Bespoke Kitten Boutique quickly gained a reputation for selling the highest quality in cat furniture, accessories, and toys on the market. H.J’s discerning tastes and dedication to his clientele made the store a hit and has provided a livelihood for six generations to come.

Cat Beds, Pods, Loungers and Cool places for kitties to hang out.

The Canopy Lounge:
This mid century modern cat lounge by CanopyStudio is constructed of a bent walnut plywood shell with a removable upholstered cushion and solid walnut legs.



Rare earth magnets are embedded in the bent plywood shell, which secure the upholstered cushion to the piece while still allowing it to be removed or swapped out easily. The durable and claw resistant upholstery fabric is imported from Denmark.




Below are 3 multi-functional loungers crafted of maple ply and industrial strength cardboard by Elizabeth Paige Smith.

The Couchette:


The Prrrounge:


The Kittypod:


Below are 2 more multi-functional pods crafted of industrial strength cardboard by Elizabeth Paige Smith.

The Geodome:





The Mini:




Curve, a wall mountable curved wood cat bed in walnut or maple by Akemi Tanaka:




Floor Feeders, Wall-Mountable Feeders and Bowls

Big Bend Bowls by Maya Khaira in birch and maple:

Smorgasbord faux bois white resin bowl holders and bowl by Luke Wong:

Series 3 Cherry and Walnut wall-mountable cat feeders by Vurv Designs:



There are many more wonderful items for kittens and cats at H.J. Mews, be sure to check them out.