Rianna Henry secures lecturer position at Kingston College.
Renowned stylist Rianna Henry has entered a new chapter of her career, expanding into education with a new lecturing role at Kingston College, where she is leading the college’s very first Level 2 Women’s Diploma in Hairdressing specialising in African hair types.
Known throughout the industry as ‘The Blowdry Artist’, Rianna has carved out a distinctive niche through her signature blow-dries. She began her hairdressing journey at just 17, training within an award-winning independent Afro salon in South West London, where her passion for textured hair was ignited.
“I learnt from the best in the industry how to create incredible hair for the most textured hair types,” Rianna says. “That foundation shaped everything that followed.”
Rianna later moved into a corporate salon environment, where her love of editorial and runway hair flourished. Working alongside multi-award-winning stylists and art directors, she developed a strong creative eye that would later lead her into session styling.
Leaping into self-employment, Rianna has since collaborated with global brands including Nike, Fila and L’Oréal Professionnel, and styled hair for publications such as Wonderland, Disorder UK and Ellements Magazine. A backstage regular at African Fashion Week London, she has assisted Allan Henry numerous times, thriving on the creativity and pace of show work.
Alongside her career, Rianna has also been balancing motherhood. “Like many new mums, my career naturally took a bit of a back seat over the last four years while I navigated motherhood and finding balance. As I found my feet again, I realised I was craving a new challenge, something that would reignite my passion and stretch me creatively and professionally,” she explains.
This led Rianna into formal education as a Textured Hair Lecturer at Kingston College. The role came about after the college sought to finally launch a course they had been planning for several years, recognising the need for inclusion within hairdressing education.
“They wanted the college to truly reflect the diverse community walking through its corridors,” Rianna says. “Team Leader Jenny Wiltshire championed that vision, and I’m incredibly proud to be leading the very first year the course is running.”
While the syllabus itself is established, Rianna is focused on delivering it in a way that feels current, relevant and empowering. Her aim is for students to leave confident, able to work with coils, curls and kinked hair, and prepared to cut, colour and style any client who sits in their chair.
Beyond technical skills, Rianna is passionate about preparing students for real life behind the chair. Reflecting on her own experience as a student, she ensures her classes cover communication, client retention, marketing and how to run their column like a business, so students leave college truly industry ready.
Balancing lecturing with clients and selected creative projects, Rianna has found a rhythm that supports both her career and family life. Rianna says, “I get to stay creatively fulfilled, active in the industry, and connected to the next generation of stylists.”
As Rianna Henry continues to grow her profile, her move into education marks an important new phase, extending her influence beyond the chair and into shaping the future of hairdressing.