Trevor Sorbie

Early Life: A Barber’s Son with Creative Vision

Trevor Sorbie didn’t just cut hair—he elevated it into art, empathy, and even activism. With revolutionary techniques and a keen eye for texture, he became a trailblazer of modern hairstyling. But beyond celebrity clients and iconic cuts, he left perhaps his most lasting legacy in kindness: helping cancer patients reclaim their identity—one wig, one haircut, one conversation at a time.

Born in 1949 in Paisley, Scotland, Trevor was introduced early to the craft of hairdressing through his father’s barber shop. When his family moved to Essex, he found work in the same local salon by age 15—sharpening razors until they cut with precision. Though he had dreamed of being an artist, hair became his canvas. Suburban to high fashion, his journey began with humble polish and a fascination for form.

Education: Razors, Repetition, and Real Creativity

Trevor’s education wasn’t in art school—it was in the rhythm of the salon and the discipline of practice. At a young age, he studied under formidable hands: family, apprenticeship, and later elite training programs. His early years spent mastering technique cultivated a tactile intelligence and a respect for hair as both material and expression.

Career Journey

Phase One: From Apprentice to Artistic Director

In his twenties, Trevor joined a major London salon under the legendary Vidal Sassoon. Within a year, his skill, intuition, and confidence earned him a promotion to artistic director. There, he focused on lines, volume, and movement—transforming simple shapes into dynamic, wearable art.

Phase Two: Inventing Iconic Cuts

In the mid 1970s, Sorbie invented the Wedge, a dramatically angled cut that filled magazine spreads and changed the look of an era. A few years later he created the Scrunch Dry method—a no-heat styling technique that amplified natural curls and waves. These innovations weren’t just haircuts; they were cultural moments that empowered individuals to embrace natural texture and structural shape.

Phase Three: Entrepreneurial Flair

With confidence and a vision of sustainable artistry, Trevor opened his first solo salon in Covent Garden in 1979. Though the launch nearly failed, his determination turned it into a flagship studio that attracted clients worldwide. Over the following decades, he expanded to multiple locations and developed a signature product line to support his big-volume aesthetic.

Phase Four: Giving Back Through My New Hair

When a family member lost her hair to chemotherapy, Trevor saw an opportunity to use his craft for healing. In 2006, he founded My New Hair, a charity training stylists to customize wigs thoughtfully and sensitively for cancer and medical hair-loss patients. What started locally grew into a national network—with compassion and technique deeply woven into its mission.

Personal Life: Life’s Cuts and Cures

Trevor’s life shone with artistic brilliance and, at times, slipped into shadow. Twice divorced, he grappled with anxiety and depression—at one point attempting to end his life. The pressure of success weighed heavily, yet he remained open about his struggles and generous with his empathy.

In his later years, he married his partner Carole, with whom he shared his home—and his beloved dog—in Hampshire. Even after being diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer in 2024, he chose to live on his own terms: defying traditional treatment, cherishing simple joys, and preparing to depart with dignity rather than ceremony.

Final Chapter: A Goodbye Without Farewell

Trevor Sorbie passed away peacefully in November 2024, surrounded by his wife, dog, and grateful memories. He had requested no funeral, preferring that donations go to causes close to his heart—his charity and other cancer-related organizations. Even as his hair-care empire and salon team continued, his final message was clear: innovation, compassion, and personal agency matter most.

Legacy: Style with Soul, Innovation with Heart

Trevor Sorbie’s legacy is a tapestry of invention, mentorship, and integrity:

As a stylist, he created transformative techniques that defined decades.

As an entrepreneur, he built a brand rooted in artistry, simplicity, and generosity.

As a humanitarian, he turned personal tragedy and expertise into comfort for thousands.

He challenged the industry to be bold and different—but always kind. His lessons echo in every salon, every wig placed with care, every stylist taught to see beyond a person’s hair to who they truly are.

Trevor Sorbie didn’t just style hair—he shaped hope. In doing so, he became proof that real legacy isn’t measured in trends or trophies, but in lives uplifted and compassion shared through craft.