Hair Legend Trevor Sorbie Leaves Behind a Lasting Legacy in the Industry
Remembering a Legend: Trevor Sorbie’s Art Changed Hairdressing Forever
Trevor Sorbie MBE, a name synonymous with innovation and artistic mastery in the hair world, has left an indelible mark on both the craft and the countless lives he touched. On November 8, 2024, Trevor passed peacefully with his family. This profound sadness is felt deeply at Behind the Chair, as we have held a very special relationship with Trevor as our Founder and Creative Director Mary Rector has worked closely with Trevor on many projects—including the collaborative campaign founded by Mary and Vidal Sassoon: Hairdressers Unlocking Hope.
Read her words of remembrance for the great legacy Trevor left behind:
“Trevor’s constant expectation of excellence combined with his creative curiosity made a master like no other. His ability to see greatness in others before they see it themselves is really unmatched,” Mary shares. “His eye for pushing his team to a place they never thought they could go turned out some of the most iconic hairdressers in the world who would not be who they are today without Trevor’s mentorship.”
The day before Vidal Sassoon’s funeral, Mary Rector hosted a memorial which Trevor attended:
A Hair Pioneer, Philanthropist & Celebrity Stylist: About Trevor’s Legacy
Trevor Sorbie established groundbreaking creative styles and techniques early in his career, as he founded the iconic haircut, “The Wedge” (1974), which was the first hairdressing picture to be published as a double-page spread in Vogue magazine. Trevor recalled: “The wedge captured the spirit of the time and was flaunted in nightclubs around the world. I now understood the power of invention. If I could achieve this once, then surely I could do it again…”
“The Scrunch” (1979) was just as iconic as Trevor had inadvertently created a new method of quick hair drying that is now a universally recognized technique. Trevor continued his experimentation, always pushing the boundaries and attracting a celebrity clientele into the salon that included Grace Jones, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and Helen Mirren.
In 2004, he was the first hairdresser to receive an MBE from the Queen and was also featured on numerous TV programs including Channel 4’s ‘Faking It’, styling and cutting hair live on set.
Celebrating the 40th anniversary since opening their flagship salon, the first Trevor Sorbie salon opened in 1979 and has grown to six locations in the UK with additional salons in China and Dubai. As a four-time British Hairdressing Awards Winner, Trevor also mentored a series of celebrated Artistic Directors, including Eugene Souleiman, Antoinette Beenders and Angelo Seminara, among others.
Contemporaries and competitors such as Vidal Sassoon praised Trevor for creating a combination of “original thinking with superb technical ability,” Vidal shared. “He has firmly put British hairdressing on the global map and is an inspiration for many thousands of hairdressers.”
In 2017, Trevor received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland for his incredible charity work. The citation on the doctorate recognized Trevor’s “outstanding contribution to business, social awareness of suffering and crisis in cancer patients.”
In December 2018, Trevor opened up a room in his home to offer a free wig customisation service through the charity ‘mynewhair‘ that he had founded in 2006. This provided advice and support to anyone who has experienced medical hair loss, including those undergoing chemotherapy. The pioneering charity supports and trains a network of 835 independent salon and 960 trained hair professionals across the UK and Ireland, all providing a wig-customisation service for their clients.
The Trevor Sorbie Team Tribute:
This morning, Trevor’s team shared the following heartfelt commendations:
It is with heartfelt emotion that we share the passing of our esteemed founder, Trevor Sorbie MBE. Trevor 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.
From pioneering “The Wedge” five decades ago to establishing our first salon in 1979, Trevor’s vision set new standards and continues to inspire generations. As we commemorate 45 years of Trevor Sorbie salons, we remain steadfast in upholding the passion, artistry and dedication that he embodied.
Trevor often reminded us to ‘Be bold, be different, but always do everything in good taste.’ His ethos of kindness, care and excellence continues to guide us. He expressed immense pride in our team and confidence in our commitment to carrying forward his legacy.
Honouring Trevor’s wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to support four charities: Marie Curie, Cancer Research UK, Rowans Hospice and My New Hair, all close to his heart. We also plan to celebrate his remarkable life and contributions with a special event next year and will share details in due course.
Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for your continued support as we honor Trevor’s legacy.
