The world of hairdressing is mourning the loss of a true legend, Trevor Sorbie MBE, who passed away last Friday at the age of 75.
From his humble beginnings as an apprentice in his father’s barbershop to becoming an icon in the global hair industry, Trevor Sorbie’s impact on hairdressing is immeasurable. In the wake of his passing, renowned hairdressers, salon owners, and industry professionals from all over the world have taken to social media to honor his legacy, sharing personal stories, cherished memories, and heartfelt tributes.
Our own Estetica Network publisher and managing director, Roberto Pissimiglia, shares a moving tribute that encapsulates the spirit of Trevor Sorbie’s contributions to the industry:
“There are hairstylists who have something extra. Alongside talent, creativity, and technique, they have an innate ability to transmit know-how to those around them. The English school (Vidal Sassoon docet) has given us great masters. The last of the greats who have marked the history of contemporary hairstyling was Trevor Sorbie. His performances on stage are some of the most rewarding memories I carry with me. Whether he was doing a ‘one-man show,’ working with his team, or performing a duet with Anthony Mascolo or Aldo Coppola… pure magic, to savor live and rewatch on video.”
“There is one moment in particular that I often share as an example of ‘passing on the craft to the next generation.’ We were in a theater in Bologna during a Cosmoprof evening some years ago. The audience was eagerly waiting for the main act: Trevor Sorbie. The show begins, but it’s his young assistant and art director, Angelo Seminara, who takes the stage—cutting, explaining, creating. Then, from the back of the stage, a man with a broom appears, simply sweeping the cut hair, admiring the unfolding work. Angelo hands him the microphone, and Trevor says: ‘When, in your professional career, you are fortunate enough to have a collaborator who works like you—or, in some cases, better than you—it’s time to give him the stage and applaud him!’”
“That was the spirit with which Trevor Sorbie approached his work: in the salon, on stage, during photo shoots. Under his guidance, other great hairstylists were trained: Angelo Seminara himself, Antoinette Beenders, Giuseppe Stelitano… When he spoke of them or worked by their side, his eyes sparkled, and praise flowed, immediate and sincere. And the audience relished the best of what was presented. Thank you, Trevor, for everything you have given us.”
This touching reflection from Roberto Pissimiglia captures the essence of Trevor Sorbie’s legacy—a dedication to excellence, mentorship, and a deep love for the art of hairstyling. Trevor’s willingness to share the spotlight, to nurture new talent, and to celebrate the achievements of his protégés was one of the qualities that made him not only a great hairdresser but also an inspiring human being.
Following the announcement of Trevor’s passing, tributes have poured in from every corner of the globe and have been shared on social media:
“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.” ― The Trevor Sorbie Team
“I am profoundly grateful to have called him my mentor. Trevor took a chance on me back in the 90s and welcomed me into his world like family. I will always cherish the invaluable lessons he taught me and the fun memories we created during our travels and shows around the globe. His inspiration touched so many lives, and I’m thankful we were able to say our goodbyes just a few weeks ago. Rest in peace, dear Trevor. You will be deeply missed. Sending love and light to Carol, Jade and the Sorbie family during this difficult time.” ― Antoinette Beenders
“Trevor was my second father in my life. He has been very supportive to me and my family, he was lovely and caring and our relationship was pure, genuine and it was about helping each other, with true respect. He was my mentor in many ways, and he has always been generous and at the same time a tough boss. I have given Trevor and his company 100% of my passion, dedication and time and our team work has grown and grown from time to time. Trevor has left us with his love and leadership, legacy and charity work, and I’m very proud to have just been part of it and contribute to a beautiful journey. Trevor’s team is loyal, strong and will continue to progress and produce excellence. Carol Sorbie… we love you for everything you did, you do and will do for Trevor and his brand, Trevor had the best of his life with you and thanks to you!” ― Angelo Seminara
“There are minutes that shape us, then there are memories that transport us, and of course the moments that define us. Trevor I know you can’t hear me, but you were the defining factor in my contribution to the world of hairdressing. It was you Trevor, you were one who bent our eyes of the outer world in order to see differently. You were the keeper of beautiful secrets that kept our eyes forever wide with curiosity, these were the moments that will never be enough to tell the story of your lifetime. As a huge icon within our industry, it was you Trevor, who took on the obligation of paving a way for future generations to show off their creativity, you taught us to take risks, tell truths, and share stories. There are tears in my eyes as I write this, as I never got the chance to share our stories one last time. I will miss you my friend.” ― Robert Lobetta
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Trevor Sorbie. I have always looked up to him and he has always been for me. One of the best hairdressers of all time. I’ll miss you.” ― Anthony Mascolo
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and Worldwide Honorary Patron of the Alternative Hair Show Trevor Sorbie MBE. I send my condolences and love to his wife Carole and his family. Rest in Peace.” ― Tony Rizzo
“I owe so much to Trevor—his kindness, his generosity of spirit, and his unwavering support. He was not only the greatest hairdresser in the world, but also a humble, compassionate, and loving soul. Every moment spent with Trevor was a gift. His creativity and passion for hairdressing changed so many lives, including mine. From the moment I met him, I knew I was in the presence of someone truly special. I was blessed to serve as his International Creative Director for many years, traveling the world with him. I owe all that I am to Trevor. I am forever grateful for everything he taught me—not just about hairdressing, but about life. His warmth touched everyone around him. He leaves behind a legacy of artistry and, more importantly, a legacy of kindness and care for others. Trevor’s charity work helping patients and NHS staff with wig styling and hair loss is another example of how he always put others first. To his dear wife Carole, his family, and the incredible team at Trevor Sorbie salons, my heart goes out to you. I will miss him deeply but will carry his spirit and love with me always. Rest in peace, Trevor. Your legacy will inspire generations to come.” ― Vivienne Mackinder
“Taking this moment to respect the passing of my incredible mentor, my thoughts are with Carole and Jade and the Trevor Sorbie family at this time. Words cannot express my feelings I am honoured that I shared so much of my life with Trevor as a part of it. His voice and wisdom will always be something I hear ‘be bold, be brave, be beautiful’. Trevor’s legacy will continue to shine with all the incredible people he touched over the years – and we will continue to drive this legacy forward with the words of wisdom that we pass down through the generations. He will always be here – he will always be with me. I feel honoured that not only did I know Trevor as an inspirational icon in our industry but also as a friend whose compassion, sense of humour, humbleness and kindness will be so missed. Thanks for being an integral part of my life, thanks for the chats, thanks for being a friend and mentor and thanks for the laughs, memories I will cherish. Rest in peace you absolute legend.” ― Sally Brooks
“The hair industry has lost a true visionary and icon in Trevor Sorbie. At Vidal Sassoon, Trevor quickly became a legend, most famously creating “The Wedge” – an iconic style that has been emulated countless times but never surpassed. Yet, his legacy goes well beyond one haircut; Trevor was revered around the world for his inventive spirit, exceptional talent, and leadership. After leaving Sassoon, Trevor continued to evolve, exploring new creative frontiers and captivating audiences on stages across the globe. His work was marked by an ever-present drive to innovate, and he constantly set new standards in artistry and technique. Throughout his career, he inspired and mentored a generation of stylists, shaping the careers of many who are now leaders in their own right. Trevor’s humility and grace were as memorable as his artistry, and he remained grounded despite his immense achievements. From all of us at Sassoon, we celebrate the life of a gentleman and a creative force whose contributions to the industry will be felt for generations. Trevor Sorbie was, and will always be, an enduring icon. Rest in peace, Trevor.” ― Sassoon Academy
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Trevor Sorbie MBE’s passing. His loss is a tremendous one for the world of hairdressing, where he stood as a beacon of innovation, creativity, and kindness. A true pioneer in the industry, Trevor’s influence has transcended generations, shaping the world of hairdressing with unmatched creativity and passion. Last month in Paris, at the iconic Folies Bergère theatre, we had the profound honor of celebrating Trevor with the AIPP Legend Award. The award was accepted on stage by Giuseppe Stelitano, Creative Director at Trevor Sorbie, joined by global hair icons Angelo Seminara and Antoinette Beenders, both of whom had the privilege of working alongside Sorbie in the early stages of their careers. It was a powerful and emotional tribute, a testament to the enduring legacy of a man who transformed our industry. Thank you, Trevor, for inspiring us all with your vision and artistry. Your legacy will continue to guide and elevate hairdressing worldwide.” ― AIPP (Association Internationalle Presse Professionnelle Coiffure)
“Seeing you work on stage when I was 16 blew my mind wide open, seeing you do the impossible showed me what was possible and sent my life on a trajectory that I’m still on today. I use the things I learned during the 11 years in Covent Garden every day, and will for the rest of my career. Thank you for your mentorship and your friendship. Whoever said never meet your heroes hadn’t met Trevor Sorbie.” ― Tom Connell
“RIP to Trevor Sorbie MBE, a true icon who embodied talent and artistry in every sense. His influence on my career was profound, inspiring me to see and approach our craft from fresh, new perspectives. His legacy will forever shape the way we create and elevate hairdressing.” ― Sam Villa
“Goodbye Trevor… what an incredible life you have lived. I am so grateful to have known and worked with you, thank you for believing in me and sharing your knowledge and creative passion. We first connected over both coming from Paisley in Scotland. I loved working alongside you, so many memories of going with you to your favourite wig shops, cutting wigs apart, your favourite Indian restaurant in London and working with you at your house. You were a brilliant boss and mentor and inspiration to all of our industry. Your legacy continues on through all the lives that you have touched so deeply. Fly high Trevor. Sending love to all of Trevor’s family, friends and team.” ― Pauline McCabe
“I am saddened by the death of my friend and World Honorary Patron of the Alternative Hair Show, Trevor Sorbie MBE. We have lost an artist, an icon and a legend of our industry. I send my condolences to Carole Sorbie, his dear wife and all his family and the hair community. Rest in peace!” ― Rudy Mostarda
“Dear Trevor, I still remember when my dream upon arriving in London was to work for you, and how my limited English at the time put a stop to it. Years later, to fulfill my dream of working with you, I had to hire you myself for Show Positivo. We laughed on the stage, and you threw your hands up, telling the story to the audience. Thank you for your presence at a couple of #secretmasterclass events, first with an unforgettable interview by the great Sergi Bancells and then on a second occasion with Tom Connell. I remember how your love for hairdressing always led you to jump up on stage to help others, like Pablo Kümin or Ilham Mestour. Thank you for your words to us and for our pixel technique in the ‘HeadHackers’ documentary. For your friendship and your legacy. And as your signature on the walls of my studio reminds me: “Look beyond the obvious.” Rest in peace, my dear friend. Our condolences to his family, friends, and to our dear family at Trevor Sorbie.” ― Jorge X
“RIP Trevor… What an incredible legacy you have left in your wake. Always an inspiration, a pioneer, a professional and a great and kind man. Thank you for everything you have given. Rest in peace.” ― Richard Ashforth
“The world of hairdressing mourns the loss of Trevor Sorbie, a true international icon whose impact on the industry was profound and enduring. Trevor’s legacy will continue to shape the world of hairdressing, leaving an indelible mark on the industry he helped elevate. Sending condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the Sorbie team. May we find comfort in the memories he created.” ― Sharon Blain
“Our love and thoughts are with Carole and their families, their friends and of course colleagues at the loss of this giant of a man. Trevor always gave me encouragement, advice and a nod of acknowledgment from first working with him over 25 years ago on the TV show ‘Style Challenge’. A mentor, artist, creative, innovator… he will be missed. RIP Sir Trevor Sorbie.” ― Andrew Barton
“I met Trevor Sorbie on so many occasions over a period of 30 years. His creative skill is indisputable and well-documented, but there was another side to him which only came across when you were privileged enough to meet him in person, or experience him working on-stage. That was his ability to communicate verbally, as well as visually. For me as a non-hairdresser, it was truly remarkable the way Trevor could convey both the technical and creative aspects of his work – and always in a way which was captivating and entertaining in equal measure.” ― Gary Kelly, Editor-in-Chief, Estetica UK
“The hair industry has lost a true visionary and icon in Trevor Sorbie. At Vidal Sassoon, Trevor quickly became a legend, most famously creating “The Wedge” – an iconic style that has been emulated countless times but never surpassed. Yet, his legacy goes well beyond one haircut; Trevor was revered around the world for his inventive spirit, exceptional talent, and leadership. After leaving Sassoon, Trevor continued to evolve, exploring new creative frontiers and captivating audiences on stages across the globe. His work was marked by an ever-present drive to innovate, and he constantly set new standards in artistry and technique. Throughout his career, he inspired and mentored a generation of stylists, shaping the careers of many who are now leaders in their own right. Trevor’s humility and grace were as memorable as his artistry, and he remained grounded despite his immense achievements. From all of us at Sassoon, we celebrate the life of a gentleman and a creative force whose contributions to the industry will be felt for generations. Trevor Sorbie was, and will always be, an enduring icon. Rest in peace, Trevor.” ― Mark Hayes, International Creative Director, House of Sassoon
“On behalf of everyone at Keune, we want to express our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Trevor Sorbie. Trevor’s incredible vision, artistry, and passion have left an unforgettable mark on the hair industry globally, and his legacy as a pioneer and disruptor will continue to inspire us and countless others in the future. Trevor’s influence and his dedication will always remain an inspiration to us at Keune, and our thoughts are with Trevor’s friends, family and team during this difficult time.” ― Darren Potter on behalf of the Keune Family
“Trevor was one of the last hair legends that inspired us with his iconic images and creative vision. His collections and images such as the Wedge were groundbreaking and we are unlikely to experience that again. The industry has lost a true icon.” ― Cos Sakkas
“The industry is mourning the loss of a legend – Trevor paved the way for our generation of hairdressing. One of the greatest educators and hairdressers our industry has ever seen. Rest in Peace Trevor, you’ll be sorely missed“. ― Stell Andrew and the Rush Artistic Team
“To me Trevor was a friend and inspiration, and one of the main reasons to became a hairdresser. I will miss his passion and sense of humour, but will continue to think ‘what would Trevor think’. He was never shy when sharing compliments and many times gave me the strength to believe in my convictions. Thank You Trevor, for everything.” ― Adam Reed
“Trevor Sorbie was an inspiration from the moment I met him. His humility, vision, and kindness made him not only an extraordinary figure in our industry but also a guiding force in my life. He wasn’t just a pioneer in our field; he was a father figure to many of us. His accomplishments, both in his craft, through his charity work and generosity have left an indelible mark, and his influence will forever shape the industry. The void is vast yet his legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the future stylists he continues to inspire.” ― Angelo Seminara
“So saddened by the passing of Trevor Sorbie, a true legend and visionary – a loss to our industry. I had the immense honour and pleasure of working for him in his Brighton salon for two unforgettable years. Trevor’s creativity and dedication shaped so many of us, and I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunities he gave me. Our last meeting, judging the Alternative Hair Show together at Salon International last year, was a reminder of his unwavering passion and impact on the whole industry. Thinking of his family and friends tonight. Thank you, Trevor, for paving the way and inspiring countless lives. Rest in peace.” ― Fergal Doyle
“We were lucky enough to have worked alongside Trevor, over the years at many trade shows and events and he always kept us on our toes. He was such a force in our industry and produced so many iconic images and hairstyles and was always pushing creativity and technique in a forward momentum. When we opened our Academy, we wanted to inspire our students and have a wall of fame, (a collection of photographs of iconic hairdresser’s hands on display) we were honoured to have the photo of Trevor and he amongst others attended the unveiling and opening of the Academy and will always remember his enthusiasm for this project. Everyone who has seen Trevor teach, will have left with his philosophy “are you better today than you were yesterday”. This is the lasting gift he has given to our craft. All our thoughts go out to Carol, family and all of Trevor’s team.” ― Alan and Linda Stewart OBE and all the team at Rainbow Room International
“A true inspiration to us all – Trevor showed us the way and was instrumental in making British hairdressing what it is today. We are forever indebted to you and can’t thank you enough.” ― Bruno Marc Giamattei and the Marc Antoni Team