Along with the entire hairdressing industry, it is with great sadness that we learned of the death of the great pioneering hairdresser, Trevor Sorbie, at the age of 75.
Trevor Sorbie’s official Team Instagram page reported that Trevor had passed away peacefully with his family and beloved dog by his side. “Trevor’s journey, marked by unparalleled creativity and kindness, has left an indelible mark on the world of hairdressing and beyond,” it continued. The devastating news came to us last month that Trevor had been diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer, which has spread to his liver.
A LIFE IN HAIRDRESSING
Trevor’s life was one inextricably linked to hairdressing. Although he was born in Paisley, Scotland, his hairdressing career began at the age of 14, when he took up the role of apprentice in his father’s barbershop in Ilford, Essex. Just 6 years later, in 1969, he branched out from the family business, opening his own barbershop in Edmonton, London, at the age of 20.
Like many hairdressing greats of his generation, Trevor’s career led him to becoming a stylist at Vidal Sassoon in 1972, progressing a year later to the role of Artistic Director. After furthering his creative experience at TONI&GUY and John Frieda, it was inevitable that one so talented as Trevor would want to open his own salon. His first was in Southwark, just south of the River Thames, in 1977, then a second opening 2 years later in Covent Garden followed by several more in the coming years in both the UK and abroad.
MEDIA, AWARDS & CELEBRITY
Trevor Sorbie after receiving the MBE from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace (getty images)
Trevor was an indisputable ‘hairdresser to the stars’ having a client list which included Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Dame Helen Mirren, Bryan Ferry and no fewer than 2 of The Beatles! He was also a 4-time winner of the British Hairdresser of the Year title, as well as a TV celebrity and household name thanks to his regular and much-loved appearances on daytime shows such a GMTV, This Morning and Mary, Queen of Shops. One of Trevor’s proudest moments was receiving the MBE from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2004.
In the later stages of his extraordinary career, Trevor dedicated much of his time and energy to establishing and developing his pioneering charity, mynewhair. The charity provides public advice and support through a national network of independent salons and professionals who provide a wig styling service for people suffering from cancer and medical hair loss. Salons pledge their commitment to responsible training, as well as providing a caring and sensitive service for their clients. Trevor eventually gave up salon work to dedicate himself full-time on the project. He even visited 10 Downing Street and became a key contributor in developing a national policy for providing NHS wigs to cancer sufferers and those suffering from medical hair loss.
A LASTING LEGACY
Trevor Sorbie’s creative genius will be a big part of his legacy, but those of us who had the honour of knowing him personally will also remember him as a warm, kind, approachable man who always had time for everyone, whatever their role in our industry. He also loved to tell a good story; working on-stage, he could go in an instant from having an audience amazed by his technical skill & creativity, to roaring with laughter. He joins a roll-call of British hairdressing icons whose influence on hairdressing generations to come will be pivotal to their careers.
