Hooker & Young: three decades of award-winning hair from the North East

Some of the most striking hair imagery in British hairdressing has been created by a partnership rooted firmly in the North East. Gary Hooker and Michael Young are the creative force behind Hooker & Young, a salon group they have built over more than three decades into one of the region's most respected names.

Today there are four Hooker & Young salons: in Jesmond, Gosforth Park and Ponteland around Newcastle, and at Wynyard in Teesside. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on most days, making it easy to fit an appointment around work.

The pair are renowned for their photographic collections, which have been recognised with multiple British Hairdressing Awards. Gary and Michael are members of the British Hairdressing Hall of Fame, and the salon lists wins including British Colourist of the Year, North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year and Men's Hairdresser of the Year, alongside success at the Colour World Awards and Creative Head Awards. They are also named among the nominees for British Hairdresser of the Year 2026.

Their collections have a real sense of place and storytelling. The Static Room, styled with L'Oreal Professionnel, was shot inside Newcastle Civic Centre, using bright, saturated colours and symmetrical compositions to create a deliberately uneasy, pristine world. A more recent collection, Riviera, celebrates modern masculinity with soft texture, clean silhouettes and an air of coastal elegance inspired by the Italian Riviera.

For all the international recognition, the salons say their greatest pride remains the loyal clients who trust them every day. Education sits at the heart of the business, with every stylist trained to the highest standards so that clients receive not only beautiful results but confidence, care and consistency at each visit.

Gary and Michael remain proudly rooted in the North East, investing in their community and developing future talent. The team also offers bespoke wedding packages, either in salon or out of salon, for brides who want their hair to be perfect on the day.

"I was so nervous about changing everything about my hair but the Hooker & Young team were so welcoming and professional," one Jesmond client wrote.

Salon details, prices and the latest collections can be found on the Hooker & Young website.