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The Value In Finding Creative Outlets Outside Of Hair

The Value In Finding Creative Outlets Outside Of Hair

The Value In Finding Creative Outlets Outside Of Hair

Five hair pros share how they switch off while keeping the creative fires burning

by KELSEY | DOCUMENTS

El Viaje Scents

In a world where most of us are ‘chronically online,’ it’s never been more important to seek out ways to switch off and stay away from screens. As naturally creative people, many hair professionals are turning their attention to other creative outlets outside of working hours. From fashion styling and dance to candle-making and gardening, hair pros have a whole host of passion projects away from the chair – with some even pursuing them as additional business ventures.

“Working in the hair industry demands a lot. We are up close and personal with our clients all day,” says Stephen Aiken, colourist at Pure Hair in Belfast, who has discovered a passion for creating fragrances and candles. “When I’m creating my scents, I get to be in my studio alone, enjoying some much-needed ‘me’ time—just myself with some music or even a podcast in the background,” he explains.  

Stephen Aiken

Stephen Aiken

Stephen was drawn to creating fragrances because of the fascinating chemistry behind them, where blending different scents can evoke distinct moods and atmospheres. What started as a love of buying candles and scents for his home led to a lightbulb moment of wanting to create his own fragrances based on his favourite aromas.  “There’s nothing better than getting home from a busy day at work, putting my feet up and setting the mood with the warm glow of a candle,” he comments.

What started as a small-scale project creating candles for himself, as well as friends and family, has grown into a business venture, with Stephen launching El Viaje, offering a range of charcoal incense, room sprays and wax melts. “There is so much involved in creating a scent, and the fun part is coming up with the combination—a little bit of this and a little bit of that to create the perfect blend. It’s the same as when I create colour mixtures for my clients,” he adds.

Likewise, for freelance hairdresser Justin Meckland, it’s been important to find a passive project which allows him to switch off and focus on another creative industry he loves – fashion styling. “Being a hairstylist has become part of my personality – since going freelance this was the perfect opportunity to explore my love for fashion styling on a deeper level and study online with the London College of Style,” Justin explains.

While he may admit to never fully switching off from his work as a hairdresser, committing to the styling course enabled Justin to set aside a day each week to turn his phone on ‘do not disturb’ and fully immerse himself in the world of fashion, completing weekly assignments and discovering more about the industry. “I’m constantly creating mood boards based on things like fashion through the decades, or drafting editorial submissions for projects, so the creative juices are always flowing,” he adds.

A world away from fashion styling but equally as mindful, salon owner Oliver Blackaby uses gardening as a source of creative expression.  For as long as he can remember, Oliver has had a deep love of gardening, but over the past two years it’s transformed from a casual hobby into a source of relaxation and even therapy. “Gardening, for me, is an art form,” he comments. “It’s about layering textures and colours, experimenting with plant combinations, and embracing the challenges of finding compatible plants that thrive together in light or shade.”

 

Justin Meckland

Justin on set styling

The results of Oliver’s hard work

In the past year, he has taken on some ambitious projects in the garden that have pushed him both creatively and physically. Last year, he relocated his fishpond to a new area and added a water feature. “The soothing sound of water has become a central part of my garden, offering a peaceful spot to meditate and unwind,” Oliver shares. “This year, I took on the challenge of building a nature pond, a sanctuary for frogs and other critters. This project breathed new life into a neglected part of the garden, transforming it into a vibrant, thriving ecosystem.”

Gardening has become more than just a pastime for Oliver, it’s a way for him to engage with life on multiple levels—creatively, physically and spiritually. “It’s where I find peace, challenge myself and connect with the world around me.”

For hairdressing apprentice Rhys Cockell, switching off and pursuing other creative endeavours has also helped him become immersed in another community, the Welsh Ballroom Community, which celebrates the Welsh ballroom scene in Wales. “Initially, it was my housemate who asked about going to some open sessions running in my city,” Rhys explains. “It was just after the final round of COVID lockdowns, and I thought it would be a way to break up the routine of going to work and coming home.”

Rhys had long admired Ballroom from a distance, through the lenses of Paris is Burning and watching Kendrick Mugler’s YouTube channel, so decided to go to the session. Since then, it’s become his main creative outlet and has actively been competing in the in the Kiki scene for around ten months. “Ballroom helps me switch off from work because the creativity for me is in different areas,” Rhys shares.

The Ballroom scene brings together a wide range of cultures and identities, meaning Rhys is influenced by the varying interpretations of the categories, which helps him stay creative. “A lot of the time we are creating effects (costumes) out of a shoestring budget or last minute and that to me is where the creativity lies. Ballroom teaches you to really go in on an idea.”

Rhys in motion captured by @hannahtottlephoto

 

Whether from the comfort of your home or garden or joining other communities to participate in activities, the value of switching off cannot be understated. Not only beneficial for mental health, but it can also spark inspiration and allow you to express yourself outside of the salon environment. It’s an opportunity to nurture your other talents – and the results speak for themselves. Case in point, Richard Phillipart’s impressive embroidery.

What started as a way to stop looking at screens after work has blossomed into beautiful artwork. “Embroidery requires both hands and demands your complete attention, there is no way I can find myself on a screen if I’m doing needlework,” he explains.  “So much of my time is consumed by hairdressing that I wanted an outlet that had nothing to do with the industry. My mum crossed stitched, and as a very gay child I would practise with her but nothing like the work I’m creating now. When looking for a craft to keep me off screens I thought this skill may still be in the recesses of my memory and I could tap into it,” he adds.

Richard is still trying to find his artistic style in this medium, as it’s traditionally a woman’s craft, so inspiration in a modern, less flowery style is limited. “I started out recreating paintings by famous artists like Picasso and Dali but felt constrained trying to recreate existing imagery. Lately, I’ve been exploring more modern art styles that allow for interpretation such as psychedelics, graffiti and cartoons.”

Richard’s epic embroidery

What is most apparent is there’s no one set passion project that you should or shouldn’t follow. Consider this your sign to nurture your inner child and tap into your interests, who knows where it could lead…

Want To Achieve Your Career Goals? It All Starts With VTCT Skills

Want To Achieve Your Career Goals? It All Starts With VTCT Skills

Want To Achieve Your Career Goals? It All Starts With VTCT Skills

VTCT Skills empowers individuals to think bigger and achieve more in their careers.

Promotion – VTCT Skills

by KELSEY | INDUSTRY NEWS 

VTCT

Skills-based education can transform careers – it delivers the fundamental knowledge and skill set needed to enter the hair industry and provides a huge step up in achieving career goals. The right education can be truly transformational, which is why VTCT Skills, a leading provider of technical and vocational qualifications worldwide, has launched a new social media campaign, “It All Starts with VTCT Skills.”

The campaign highlights the transformative power of skills-based education and showcases the success stories of individuals who have achieved their career goals and how VTCT qualifications and events have helped them along the way.

VTCT

For over 60 years, VTCT Skills has provided learners with the practical skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen professions. Offering a comprehensive range of qualifications and assessments across various sectors, the education provider empowers individuals to think bigger and achieve more in their careers.

Featuring interviews with award-winning hairstylists and salon owners who have benefited from VTCT qualifications and events, the social-led campaign highlights just how valuable quality education is in shaping careers. Each of the industry experts shares their personal experiences and offers advice to aspiring professionals. Those featured in the campaign include Casey Coleman, Christopher Laird, Talisha Cox, Colin McAndrew, Keri Blue, Lyla Woolley, Jacqui McIntosh and George Newton-Beck.

 

 “I highly recommend VTCT qualifications to anyone looking to enhance their skills and achieve their professional goals.”
Casey Coleman

“Our team benefit from us choosing VTCT as our provider because it’s of the very best standard,” says Colin McAndrew, award-winning salon owner at Medusa.  “The high-quality qualifications and support we receive from VTCT ensure that our team is equipped with the skills they need to excel in the industry.” 

VTCT Skills provides learners with the best possible experience. With a proven track record of success and a commitment to excellence, this new campaign offers the perfect opportunity for the wider hairdressing industry to share its take on the importance of qualifications and continuing education no matter what career stage a stylist is at. 

To see the campaign in full, follow @vtctskills on social media.

Industry Icon Trevor Sorbie Passes Away Aged 75

Industry Icon Trevor Sorbie Passes Away Aged 75

Industry Icon Trevor Sorbie Passes Away Aged 75

A icon in every sense of the word, Trevor Sorbie transformed hairdressing across the globe with his creative approach. 

by KELSEY | INFORM

Trevor Sorbie

Trevor Sorbie MBE, an icon in the world of hairdressing, has passed away peacefully with his family and beloved dog by his side.

Trevor leaves behind an incredible legacy of creativity, compassion and inspiration. His hairdressing journey began at the age of 14 when he became an apprentice in his father’s barbershop in Ilford. This early start in the industry ignited a passion that would see him rise to become one of the most celebrated figures in hairdressing.

The wedge

In 1974, Trevor took the industry by storm with his groundbreaking creation, The Wedge, which catapulted him to global recognition when it featured in a double-page spread in Vogue. This was followed by further innovations such as Scrunch Drying in 1979 and The Chop, showcasing his continuous drive to reinvent hair artistry.

His flagship salon in Covent Garden, London, opened in 1979, with the industry coming together to celebrate its 45th anniversary earlier this year. His leadership inspired hair professionals worldwide, earning him countless accolades and the honour of being the first hairdresser to receive an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 for services to British hairdressing.

Trevor’s legacy will continue on, safe in the hands of the incredible team of talents he mentored and inspired, who continue to uphold the values and excellence he championed. His outstanding contributions are noticeable through the industry, and he will always be remembered for his commitment to innovation, compassion and mentoring future generations. As he once said, “The future of anything is in forward progression.”

Speaking of Trevor’s passing, Creative HEAD’s editorial director, Amanda Nottage, said:

“We knew we would be saying goodbye soon, but that doesn’t make this message any easier. Trevor Sorbie has taught this industry an immeasurable amount about hairdressing, creativity, innovation and disrupting expectations, and even in death he’s been breaking the rules, being so open and transparent about the impending end of his life. An inspiration until the very end.

In the mid 1980s, my sister would make a 200-mile round trip every six weeks to get her hair cut at Trevor’s Covent Garden salon. She was young, and couldn’t afford the great man himself, but she wanted that cachet of being a client of his salon. His shampoo sat on her shower shelf. I remember thinking, “That’s where I want to go when I grow up”.

In 2012, returning from maternity leave, my first big project was to interview Trevor at Salon Smart, as he and the team staged a brilliant hair show inspired by the Covent Garden street performers so close to his salon. Meeting him for breakfast, I was frankly terrified and overwhelmed at the prospect of working with such a bloody icon, whose name was mentioned in the same breath as Vidal Sassoon and Leonard. But he was an absolute gem, rude and funny and bolshy. He gave me confidence I was sorely lacking, having been at home with a newborn for the previous eight months. He was brilliant up there on stage.

I had the absolute pleasure of spending time this week with Bree, Giuseppe, Nathan and Ryan, the team that is leading the charge now at the salon group. They talked of how proud they are of his faith in them, and how they’d spent a wonderful day at his home very recently, laughing constantly, surrounded by cards and messages from well-wishers across the country. “Who knew dying would be so much fun?” he joked. Doesn’t that say everything?

Goodbye Trevor. You leave a legacy that is absolutely extraordinary. You have inspired and mentored some of the very best hairdressers working today. You have created looks that have caused jaws to drop. You have helped restore the confidence of thousands with your My New Hair endeavour. And you’ve built a business that will now carry on your name with real heart and soul and artistry. Thank you from us all.”

Son Of A Bleach

Son Of A Bleach

Son Of A Bleach

The latest collection from Veronica De Totero offers a playful yet poignant exploration of self-expression through hair that dares to be messy

by KELSEY | PORTFOLIOS

ART DIRECTOR, PRODUCER & STYLIST: Veronica De Totero
PHOTOGRAPHER: Valentina Sergi
RETOUCHER: TATY
MODELS: Lina Hand, Valentina Sergi, Veronica De Totero
MAKE-UP ARTIST: Gaia Santoro
HAIR STYLIST: Gianfranco Filoni
COLOURING: Ryan Philips
NAIL ARTIST: Elisa Riezzo
CLOTHING: CANDIDO 1859
EYEWEAR: Ottica Giuliano

From Berlin To London: How Ursula’s Grown Her salon, Bond, With Fresha

From Berlin To London: How Ursula’s Grown Her salon, Bond, With Fresha

From Berlin To London: How Ursula’s Grown Her salon, Bond, With Fresha

How the right tools can help turn dreams into a reality

Promotion – Fresha

by KELSEY | INDUSTRY NEWS 

Ursula at Bond Shoreditch

Opened by Ursula, who’s been hairdressing since 1999, Bond sits in the heart of Shoreditch, London. With a great reputation for their outstanding hair colouring, it’s surprising to know that owning a salon wasn’t always a goal of Ursula’s.

“For many years I didn’t have a desire to own my own salon. But six years ago I was working in a really lovely small salon in Berlin. It was a beautiful salon, with a lovely team. I loved the vibe and the way they managed the salon, and I thought ‘well, I could do this,'” she explains.

Ursula outside of Bond Shoreditch

Ursula

Ursula first heard about Fresha through a friend and fellow business owner, Tina. Tina owns Shoreditch Nails and is a long-time user of Fresha. She recommended it to Ursula given that they were both at similar points in their business journey. After an easy sign-up, Ursula quickly knew that using Fresha was a “no-brainer”.

 Realising it would be exactly what she needed to streamline her business, Ursula has been using it since.

Ursula stresses she’s always impressed with Fresha’s continuous innovation. The platform regularly introduces new features that not only make the day-to-day easier, but makes it possible to always push the business further, bringing in more clients, higher loyalty and an all-in-all better experience from beginning to end.

Ursula also highlights how Fresha listens to its partners and quickly uses their feedback to make changes, which has helped her stay competitive in the busy Shoreditch hairdressing scene.

“We use the automated marketing campaigns – one of our favourites is the birthday 10 per cent discount. We give an email to all of our clients on their birthday month offering them 10 per cent off on their next visit. This makes people feel really special,” she shares. 

Ursula blow-drying hair of client at Bond Shoreditch

Running Bond is more than just managing a business for Ursula; it’s about creating a welcoming environment where creativity and excellent service come together. With her skills, the unique atmosphere of her salon, and the support of tools like Fresha, Ursula has turned Bond into a standout success. Her journey from a hairdresser in Berlin to a business owner in Shoreditch shows how passion, innovation, and the right tools can turn a dream into reality. 

To learn more, visit fresha.com, download Fresha on the App Store and Google Play, or follow Fresha on Instagram and Facebook.