Mr Alternative – Tony Rizzo

Despite over four decades of experience and enviable success at the top of his game, no one could have been more surprised when the honour of International Hairdressing Awards Legend in 2021 was bestowed than Tony Rizzo himself. Remarkably modest about his achievements and his phenomenal contribution to the industry, Tony is recognised globally as one of the most renowned British hairdressers, building his name from consistently promoting Sanrizz to the professional hairdresser and of course his role as ‘Mr Alternative’.

PRIMARY JOB

Recognised the world over as one of the British hairdressings’ best, Tony’s primary job is Managing Director of Sanrizz. After 40 years in the hairdressing industry Tony retains a relentless passion for artistic progression with a huge creative drive to put the name Sanrizz throughout the hairdressing industry. This means his time is splintered to accommodate show and seminar work, international exhibition appearances, photographic shoots, the Sanrizz Academy, and education development as well as running the business.

PASSION OVERTAKES PROFESSION

Sometimes however, Tony’s other passion overtakes his full time profession. For the past 40 years Tony has dedicated his time, energy, and love to Alternative Hair – revered for its awesome creativity and mammoth fund raising now in excess of nearly £13million for Leukaemia Research. In 1983 Tony and his wife Maggie lost their first-born child, Valentino to leukaemia at the tender age of 2 years and 7 months. Deciding to hit back at this vicious disease in the best way they knew, they engaged their many friends in hairdressing and created a new charity fund raising event. The Alternative Hair Show, staged at London’s Camden Theatre in October 1983 was a huge success, raising a then enormous £7,500 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, the UK’s leading blood cancer research charity.

The shows have grown into one of the most exciting and sought-after events in the international hairdressing calendar. The flagship London show now in its 38th year, went on to be hosted by the Royal Albert Hall before going ‘virtual’ due to covid restrictions these past two years. There have been shows in Chicago, Bologna, Vienna, Moscow, Seoul, proceeds of which have been donated to leukaemia and lymphoma research in their host countries.

ALTERNATIVE HAIR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

In January 2012, to mark the 30th anniversary of this unique fund-raising initiative, it was decided to set up The Alternative Hair Charitable Foundation. The Foundation is a grant making trust committed to funding charities with established experience and expertise in the advancement of research into and the treatment and welfare of people suffering from leukaemia and related cancers of the blood.

So far, its declared aims are to support the outstanding work of leukaemia and lymphoma research, which truly is making a real difference to the outlook of children with leukaemia. The Foundation is also working with world-renowned Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital to extend the benefits of research to more children, taking the fight even further afield through their partnership with World Child Cancer, - which strives to bring the successes in treating childhood leukaemia to less fortunate parts of the world.

Energetic and engaging and an irrepressible optimist, Tony is filled to the brim with Latin flair famously equalled by a classic Latin temperament. Tony claims his success is down to sheer hard work and an unremitting intent to succeed and to be the best.

SANRIZZ STAMP OF DISTINCTION

Tony spearheaded the advancement of innovative cutting and styling techniques that continually deliver the characteristic Sanrizz stamp of distinction. Sanrizz is synonymous with precise styles that are vibrant, polished, and perfect. “No matter what level of experience or how successful your business, it is paramount to continue developing skills, think up new concepts, invent fresh techniques,” says Tony.

“All over the world current competitive trading means you must be ahead of the game to attract and secure your clientele. The best way to do this is by being equipped with polished skills, creative thinking, and a determination to achieve the very best. It’s the very essence of what we teach in our award-winning Academy.”

SANRIZZ NETWORK SALON CONCEPT

immediate access to the key ingredients that have created 40 years of enviable success for Sanrizz. The company’s education excellence, outstanding hair collections and marketing materials are all accessible to a Sanrizz Network Salon. “It’s a great way to motivate teams and achieve business excellence, an opportunity for salons to trade on the back of our established, proven success, to increase their salon profile and their profits,” explains Tony.

Similar to being a franchised salon but without any contracts or royalty fees its aimed at salons wanting to quickly and easily achieve a better level of trading – and save time and money while they are at it – capitalizing on the award-winning formula.

Aiming for perfection, sharing knowledge, and promoting creativity to the widest possible hairdressing audience is an enduring focus that equals respect and success.