our philosophy

Creative Intelligence

It's about progression. Keeping the art of hairdressing fresh. Dynamic. Alive. Balancing expression and invention - with the skills and precise technical understanding that set creativity free.

It's about gaining recognition - for the craft, artistry and dedication that we put into hairdressing. Celebrating the journey, not just the destination - whether you're just starting out in hairdressing or you are a household name.

Creative Intelligence has led us to develop specialist products - tools that encourage creativity. Brands that hairdressers and consumers love.

Creative Intelligence has shown us that hairdressing is key to progressing the art and craft of hairdressing. Keeping it fresh. Alive.

Creative Intelligence drives everything we do - and who we do it for.

our heritage

by hairdressers for hairdressers

It sounds obvious. But this founding principle is what makes TIGI stand out from the crowd. A simple thought that remains as powerful as ever today.

It means that we absolutely understand what hairdressers want. And need. Anthony Mascolo & the International Creative Team constantly updating the work we do.

Redefining standards of excellence in hairdressing creativity and technical skill. Driving hairdressing into an art form.

Creative team

Anthony Mascolo
Founder and International Artistic Director

Anthony Mascolo a hairdressing icon and creative extraordinaire. Founder of TIGI and cult brand Bed Head. Internationally renowned for his exquisite couture hair, his exciting photography and his creative films. His critically acclaimed work has won him many accolades including winning British Hairdresser of the Year three timesand he is now the respected President of Alternative Hair. Anthony is always passionate about the hairdresser, recognising the world in which we live, and the desire to push the creative boundaries, to take the industry forward. As a result he founded TIGI with a strictly 'by hairdressers, for hairdressers' ethos, recruiting a world class creative team, eager to share knowledge with others and recognise the creative intelligence required for hairdressing. Today, Anthony continues as the international Artistic Director for TIGI, and continues to drive his vision forward. It's about the work behind the work, not just the work itself. It's about progression. Keeping the art of hairdressing fresh. Dynamic. Alive. It's about recognition of the craft, artistry and dedication that we put into hairdressing.
Nick Irwin
Global Creative Director

As leader of the TIGI International Creative Team Nick Irwin is responsible for many creative aspects from trend predictions to product development as well as heading up fashion shows and working on all global TIGI shows. Working closely with Anthony Mascolo, Nick helps develop new collections and imagery for brand marketing. His influences are seen in regular "up close and personal" days where he shares the latest cuts, styling ideas, catwalk looks and couture hair ideas. Communication and inspiration are at the heart of his work.
Christel Lundqvist
Global Technical Director

Christel Lundqvist developed an early passion for colour in her native Sweden before moving to London in 1999 with a desire to work for the very best in hairdressing. The winner of the 2008, 2010 & 2011/12 British Hairdressing Awards Professional British Colour Technician of the Year. Christel's consultative approach, clear creative vision and likeability make her an exceptional leader for the TIGI Technical Creative Team. Expressing mood, image and style through colour, Christel takes inspiration directly from fashion and art to produce visually stunning colour work. Her technical approach and ability has led to her receiving acclamation from the hairdressing industry as well as the opportunity of working on numerous high profile projects across the globe.
Dennis Van Lierop
Global Education Director

Dennis Van Lierop joined TIGI 12 years ago to establish Education in Germany. His vast experience comes from owning and operating a successful Salon business and also from working as Artistic Director and Head of the TIGI German Creative Team under the guidance of Nick Irwin. Dennis’s prowess for the organization of TIGI events in Germany was quickly apparent. He also organised groups of hairdressers on educational trips to Asia, the UK and USA, and was involved in education and team building. Since 2010 Dennis has worked closely with the TIGI International Creative Team under Nick Irwin’s leadership and has spent an increasing amount of time from the Team’s base in London. In 2012 Dennis was promoted to his current position of TIGI Global Education Director. Working with the TIGI Creative Teams internationally, Dennis is focused on developing high levels of hairdressing professionalism, standardized education and helping to grow the craft of hairdressing into an art. The key communication point for all TIGI education, Dennis works on the organization of Global shows and is also focused on the development of TIGI´s world-class education and training in new markets.
Akos Bodi
European Creative Director

Akos Bodi is known for his calm, focused approach, best seen backstage during shows, when his calming influence shines through. Bodi has worked for TIGI for 15 years, 5 years as European Educational Director and before as a salon and education director in Dallas. He describes his role as: ‘Translating TIGI’s creative ideas for the ‘everyday’ hairdresser’. He embraces constant new challenges and believes in staying ahead of the game with an ability to break rules with the utmost confidence.
Maria Kovacs
European Session Director

For Maria hairdressing isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle, a method of self-expression and an outlet for creativity. 5 years ago Maria left her native Australia to join the London-based team. As European Session Director for the past two years, she has worked on the global fashion week circuit and on TIGI Catwalk Collective projects. Maria shares this amazing information via shows, seminars, and "step-by-steps" and translates her hair and styling ideas into imagery.
Marco Iafrate
Creative Director Italy

Marco recently moved from London to Italy to serve as Creative Director Italy, aiming to build a strong Italian Creative Team. He will continue to work with Nick and Maria on fashion shows and will participate in major TIGI shoots and global shows. Known for his precision cutting he is equally happy doing refined and delicate hair for shows. Marco is inspired by the different opportunities hairdressing brings as well as continuing creative drive.
Toby Mellis
Global Product Innovator

A hairdresser for 19 years, Toby is one of the key Creative Team educators at the TIGI academies. Alongside his love of education and of teaching students, Toby is passionate about developing new, breakthrough professional products that, in combination with accurate technique, unlock creative possibilities. Driven by attention to detail, Toby is now heading up product innovation and testing working in tandem with Heath Grout in NYC. Working closely with the International Creative Team, Global Marketing and R&D, Toby is a great team player who drives the TIGI ethos of 'by hairdressers, for hairdressers' creating new products that hairdressers will love.
Kieron Webb
Academy Director

Kieron’s role involves sharing TIGI educational techniques and philosophies. A respected educator, Kieron relates well to students and empowers them to become stronger hairdressers, He gets a real buzz watching people learn and improve, aiming to instill confidence in others through teaching. After 6 years at TIGI, Kieron believes that whether you are cutting hair or building a couture hairstyle, creative intelligence links your fundamental thought processes to your creative eye and your technical strengths.
Heath Grout
US Creative Director

After 4 years based in the London Academy, and 15 years with TIGI, Heath has returned to his native USA and is now based in NYC. His role encompasses inspiring the internal team and the hairdressing community through hair, photography and design. Heath’s key strength is seeing the creative process of a project through from concept to final image. He is inspired by the constant evolution of hair and its power to offer many opportunities to innately creative people.
Richy Kandasamy
US Technical Creative Director

Now based at the TIGI New York Academy Richy’s 11-year career with TIGI has taken him from Italy to the UK and now the USA. His current role involves teaching colour to inspire both newly qualified and advanced colourists with the aim and focus on developing expertise and creativity. For Richy, everyday is a new day and another opportunity to be creative. He finds it inspiring to push others to pursue their own vision and dreams.
Thomas Osborn
US Education Director

After 23 years with TIGI, 12 in his current position, Thomas is responsible for developing and delivering the curriculum at the SoHo Academy, encouraging creative excellence and ensuring students receive the highest degree of education. He works with the Global Team on all key TIGI Collections and is recognised for his ability to forecast trends and inspire hairdressers, as well as a successful session hairdresser. He is committed to education and through hairdressing has been able to help others reach their potential.
Natalie Elias
Technical Director

Based at the TIGI London academy, Natalie has worked for TIGI for 4 years. As part of the TIGI Colour team she demonstrates colour techniques for specialist colour courses and cut and colour courses. Over the last year she has worked on the testing and development of TIGI CopyrightColour resulting in an in-depth knowledge of the products and an understanding of how to utilize the products to emphasize and compliment cuts.
John Harte
Education Assistant

John is entering his 3rd year with TIGI. His main roles are assisting the Creative Team at the TIGI Academy and helping prepare for photographic shoots at Bed Head Studios and on location. Being 100% trained by TIGI is something John highly values with a goal to become a future educator. He regularly assists Maria Kovacs and Nick Irwin on couture and catwalk-led hair styling projects and has a vision to become a leader in this field.
Julie Lapite
Global Colour Innovator

A highly experienced colourist, Julie’s strong educational background and flare for projecting new colour trends, has given her an innate understanding of the needs of the professional colourist. She has been a strong player in the development of TIGI copyrightcolour, working with the manufacturers, advising and testing the new products within the range. Julie works closely with TIGI’s global marketing team creating tools to support colourists in the salon. Ongoing her key role will involve new product development.
Gen Itoh
European Academy Director

As Manager of the TIGI London Academy, Gen ensures that the right content is delivered to students by effectively communicating the latest trends and techniques. He has a passion for education and helping hairdressers discover and improve their skills. Gen gets a buzz from making people look and feel great, bringing out their most attractive features and in turn giving them confidence. To sum up his work he says: It’s about learning the rules to perfection and then breaking them.
Phil Downing
Academy Director

Philip Downing was part of the TIGI Inspirational Youth Team during which time his creativity and superior cutting techniques impressed the Team mentors. Joining the TIGI Education Team, Philip was a key educator sharing ideas on new collections and product usage via regional and in-salon seminars as well as supporting the Creative Team at shows. When the TIGI Academy opened in Manchester, Philip became the main educator. He also works with the Team in London and works on launches, shows and seminars.

Latest TIGI News

TIGI Session Team 2013

TIGI Session Team is back for the second edition. Find out about the competition and how to enter to be part of TIGI Session Team 2013.
Read More
Inspirational Youth 2013

Anthony Mascolo's vision of teaching and developing the "new influencers" is brought to life through TIGI Inspirational Youth.
Read More
Creative Consultation

Christel Lunqvist TIGI Global Technical Creative Director explains her latest development in colour consultation.
Read More

TIGI

Tigi Copyright Colour

our philosophy

Creative Intelligence

our heritage

by hairdressers for hairdressers

Creative team

Anthony Mascolo
Founder and International Artistic Director

Nick Irwin
Global Creative Director

Christel Lundqvist
Global Technical Director

Dennis Van Lierop
Global Education Director

Akos Bodi
European Creative Director

Maria Kovacs
European Session Director

Marco Iafrate
Creative Director Italy

Toby Mellis
Global Product Innovator

Kieron Webb
Academy Director

Heath Grout
US Creative Director

Richy Kandasamy
US Technical Creative Director

Thomas Osborn
US Education Director

Natalie Elias
Technical Director

John Harte
Education Assistant

Julie Lapite
Global Colour Innovator

Gen Itoh
European Academy Director

Phil Downing
Academy Director

Latest TIGI News

TIGI Session Team 2013

Inspirational Youth 2013

Creative Consultation

News Archive

our philosophy

Creative Intelligence

our heritage

by hairdressers for hairdressers

Creative team

Anthony Mascolo Founder and International Artistic Director

Nick Irwin Global Creative Director

Christel Lundqvist Global Technical Director

Dennis Van Lierop Global Education Director

Akos Bodi European Creative Director

Maria Kovacs European Session Director

Marco Iafrate Creative Director Italy

Toby Mellis Global Product Innovator

Kieron Webb Academy Director

Heath Grout US Creative Director

Richy Kandasamy US Technical Creative Director

Thomas Osborn US Education Director

Natalie Elias Technical Director

John Harte Education Assistant

Julie Lapite Global Colour Innovator

Gen Itoh European Academy Director

Phil Downing Academy Director

Latest TIGI News

TIGI Session Team 2013

Inspirational Youth 2013

Creative Consultation

News Archive

Anthony Mascolo
Founder and International Artistic Director

Nick Irwin
Global Creative Director

Christel Lundqvist
Global Technical Director

Dennis Van Lierop
Global Education Director

Akos Bodi
European Creative Director

Maria Kovacs
European Session Director

Marco Iafrate
Creative Director Italy

Toby Mellis
Global Product Innovator

Kieron Webb
Academy Director

Heath Grout
US Creative Director

Richy Kandasamy
US Technical Creative Director

Thomas Osborn
US Education Director

Natalie Elias
Technical Director

John Harte
Education Assistant

Julie Lapite
Global Colour Innovator

Gen Itoh
European Academy Director

Phil Downing
Academy Director