Trevor Sorbie: Iconic Scots hair stylist to the celebs

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Celebrated hairstylist Trevor Sorbie, famed for his work with high-profile figures like Grace Jones, The Beach Boys, and Dame Helen Mirren, has passed away at 75.

While known for his iconic wedge cut of the 1970s, Sorbie found deep fulfilment in aiding individuals affected by hair loss.

His family shared a statement on Instagram revealing that he died "peacefully" surrounded by loved ones and his cherished dog, after a bout with bowel cancer.

Born in Paisley, Scotland, Sorbie's early years were challenging; relocating to England led to bullying and an eventual school departure.

Starting as an apprentice in his father's barber shop was the beginning of a distinguished career. In 1979 he launched his flagship salon in Covent Garden, London, eventually expanding to Brighton, Bristol, Hampstead, Manchester, and Richmond.

A four-time winner of British Hairdresser of the Year, Sorbie revolutionised hairstyling, creating trendsetting looks such as the wolf man, sculpture, and the wave, and pioneering techniques like 'scrunch' drying. He gained further fame through TV appearances on This Morning, The Wright Stuff, GMTV, and Mary Queen Of Shops.

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He also shared his expertise on Channel 4's Faking It alongside Gordon Ramsay.

Despite having a star-studded clientele including Chris Tarrant, Chesney Hawkes, and Olympic skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, and numerous awards to his name, hair stylist Sorbie cites being made an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 as his "biggest accolade". In 2006, Sorbie began volunteering at the Princess Alice Hospice in Esher, Surrey, as he started to step away from salon work.

He shared with The Times how cutting a wig for a terminally ill patient on her wedding day deeply affected him, stating "it really unnerved" him. "She died the next day, but as I shut the door (after cutting her wig), I remember thinking for the first time in my life, ‘I’m not just a hairdresser, I feel special’," he recalled.

By 2009, Sorbie had shifted his focus towards his charity, My New Hair, which provides advice on wig styling, hair loss and re-growth after treatment to patients and NHS staff. "It was my personal experience of helping a family member during cancer treatment that inspired the idea of My New Hair," he revealed on the charity’s website.

In 2018, he launched a free wig customisation service for NHS patients experiencing medical hair loss, including those undergoing chemotherapy, through My New Hair. A year later, he told BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs that he planned to retire, but would continue to cut wigs for people who had lost their hair.

Later, the business was taken over by Tom Connell, international artistic director, as Sorbie concentrated on his charity work.

Trevor Sorbie opened up to a Sunday radio show about battling depression and anxiety for much of his life. He shared how the kiss-and-tell media coverage during the mid-2000s pushed him to the brink, and it was getting a pet that brought solace.

Sorbie revealed: "I read this article years ago and they said that anyone suffering with anxiety and depression, the best medicine is a dog.

"So I went and got a dog and you know what? It’s right. It’s so good for me, that little boy.

"I have to go out for an hour walking and I absolutely adore this little boy."

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In October 2024, during an ITV’s This Morning appearance, he disclosed his bowel cancer diagnosis, after being told in June 2024 he might only have six months left due to the spread to his liver and a major surgery to excise parts of it. The surgeon had decided against further operation as the cancer was near a main blood vessel.

Sorbie also spoke of using the time he has remaining to be with his wife, Carole, and family. An accomplished figure in his field, he created pivotal training manuals, including the '2005 Bridal Hair Book' and '1998’s Visions In Hair'.

In 2023, his legacy was celebrated with the Fellowship for British Hairdressing introducing the Trevor Sorbie Award for creative and commercial innovation.

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