Coleg Llandrillo’s Hairdressing students were recently given the opportunity to question a multi-award-winning, ex-college Hairdressing student who has just opened his own salon in Australia!

Dion Padan is originally from Cerrigydrudion and studied in the college’s training salons at the Rhos-on-Sea campus.

He returned to Coleg Llandrillo (via a Zoom call) to give current students tips and expert advice on what is needed to succeed in the hairdressing industry, whilst also answering any burning questions that the students had.

Dion has had an illustrious career in the hair industry for over 25 years, winning the title of The Nation’s Favourite Hairdresser in 2009.

In the same year he became a finalist in the first ever American Crew Face-Off photographic competition.

He was also consecutively shortlisted as a regional finalist in the prestigious L’Oreal Colour Trophy Mens Image Awards from 2011 - 2014.

Dion has worked alongside a plethora of celebrities including styling Brandon Flowers, frontman of The Killers.

After finishing his training at Coleg Llandrillo just before the Millennium, Dion worked for a local hairdressers before opening two salons in Liverpool. Following his lifelong dream, he then emigrated to Australia, relocating and working in Sydney.

He now lives and works in Darwin, where he initially worked for a barbering chain called Tommy Gun’s, before recently opening his own hairdressing salon called The Editor.

Dion said: “It's always such a pleasure to share my story with the students at Llandrillo.

"It's exciting to watch their journeys, seeing how they grow into professional hairdressers and barbers.

"I hope I'll be able to come in to see you in person next time I'm back home. Thanks again, it means a lot to me.”

Feedback from students included: “fantastic, inspiring”, “he made me feel like I could take on the world”, “he showed me what I can achieve if I realise my potential” and “I now realise how important marketing and branding are”.

Coleg Llandrillo Hairdressing tutor and coordinator, Wendy Jones, said: “Dion is a credit to the industry and always encourages our students to follow their dreams.

"He has been to college many times to do demonstrations and he previously invited three members of staff to his Liverpool salon ‘Hooka’ to join his staff in training sessions. He is very supportive of us as a Hairdressing/Barbering department.”

For more information on Hairdressing courses at Coleg Llandrillo campuses, or any of the Grŵp Llandrillo Menai campuses, contact the college’s Learner Services team on 01492 542 338.