250 guests packed into the salon courtyard
Not everybody can call upon Dire Straits to play live at your semi-retirement party… but not everybody is the hairdressing legend Guy Kremer. And so a crowd of more than 250 celebrities, clients and friends – including author Kathy Lette, fashion designer Maria Grachvogel and British painter and curator David Remfry – packed his Parchment Street courtyard to listen to a touching and humorous speech from hotelier Robin Hutson before handing over to Dire Straits founder member and guitarist John Illsley, who played a fantastic set featuring all the band’s best-known songs.
“What an amazing party it was,” said Guy. “It was the best way to start the new act of my life and I am so grateful to my wonderful team, friends and business associates from across Winchester for helping to make this such a memorable event.”
Dire Straits’ John Illsley onstage
Hotelier Robin Hutson led the speeches
Hampshire’s most famous hairdresser opened his modest French Connection salon in Winchester 50 years ago. Over the decades, the flamboyant Frenchman has grown it into the international Guy Kremer business, opening new salons, launching hair products and growing a clientele that includes pop stars, princesses and A-Listers.
As well as giving his time to a generation of young apprentices, Guy is a member of the L’Oréal Professionnel Portfolio, an exclusive group of top British hairdressers recognised for their creativity and expertise in professional hairdressing, and nine years ago was awarded The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s UK Hairdresser of the Year for the second time.
Guy (right) with John Illsley and Kathy Lette
As Guy bows out to spend more time at his home in France, the Guy Kremer name will now be handed over to the salon’s senior team of Jonny Engstrom, Emily Huggett and Martin Roskilly. However, even at the age of 71 and nearing the end of his stellar career, Guy is adamant there is still more to do. As well as returning to his Winchester salon for a month every six weeks to do clients, he is also working on the relaunch of his own line of Guy Kremer hair products next year.
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Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial. I’ve learned to value rest, nutrition, and exercise as integral parts of my routine. Establishing a morning routine has been a game-changer for me, providing structure and setting a positive tone for the day. This balance between personal care and professional responsibilities ensures I can bring my best self to my work.
Understanding and aligning with my core beliefs has been a significant part of my journey and part of the reason we moved to Davines, a brand that reflects our ethos and values. Authenticity, creativity, kindness, and sharing are the pillars that guide my decisions and actions. These values not only shape my professional approach but also resonate with my personal life, helping to create an alignment in both worlds. The B Corp status of Davines was a big attraction and their transparency and accountability inspired us as a business to look for the best practices and prioritise people over profit.
I understand that when starting your career, it’s tempting to seize every opportunity. With experience, I can offer this advice: focus on what brings you joy. People often talk about work-life balance, but when you find purpose in your career, the alignment naturally follows. You don’t need to chase everything all the time. Recognise what makes you feel good about yourself, and the rest will follow.
An industry icon and a visionary rising through the ranks – together Trevor Sorbie and Giuseppe Stelitano make quite the powerhouse pairing, sending the success of the Trevor Sorbie brand stratospheric in recent years. Most recently, Giuseppe was the creative genius behind one of the epic hair shows at the L’Oréal Colour Trophy UK Grand Final, and as the brand celebrates its 45th anniversary, it’s never been more apparent that the future is very bright.
Talking exclusively to Creative HEAD, Trevor and Giuseppe discuss what keeps their creative fires alight…
What is your favourite image that each other has created and why?
Trevor: I think this look from Giuseppe is brilliant. It’s a unique way of photographing hair. It’s mystique, it’s got drama, and the angle of the photograph is unlike any photo I’ve seen. Of course, I’m also very proud of Giuseppe’s latest campaign, 1979.
What do you believe makes a great image?
G: To me, a great image tells a story and evokes an emotional response. It’s not just about the technical perfection but about capturing a moment. Lighting, set, make-up, styling and the subject all play crucial roles, but the magic happens when these elements come together to create something that feels truly authentic and fresh.
T: I think the same as Giuseppe, it’s a combination of all elements, as well including the model, hair, photography and make-up also coming together in perfect harmony, which is very rare to get all those elements exactly right. When a picture comes together like that, that’s when you can say you’ve got the wow factor.
When selecting the shots from your collection or creative work, what extra ‘wow factor’ helps you decide what makes the cut?
G: For me it is when I see a shot that makes me stop in my tracks. It’s that instant connection, where everything comes together perfectly…the hair, the model’s expression, the lighting. I look for an image that not only showcases technical skills but is also unique and offers something interesting. It’s that one shot that you know will leave a lasting impression
T: Like the last answer really. You know it when you see it. It must give you an emotion that triggers something in your head. I think to create a good collection, the photographer (and especially the photographer!) must be on the same page as you. It’s got to excite them. When you get that from the photographer, that’s when you know they’ll give it 100 per cent because they are excited.
What are your hopes for the Trevor Sorbie brand in the next 25 years?
G: Looking ahead, I hope to see the Trevor Sorbie brand continue to lead the industry. I picture us expanding our global presence, pioneering trends, and setting new standards in hairstyling. My dream is for us to keep inspiring both our guests and the next generation of hairdressers. I want us to continue breaking boundaries and thinking outside the box, but always keeping in mind our core brand values.
T: The team I’ve grown are the best placed to take the brand forward, continue the legacy that I built, and I truly believe that the Trevor Sorbie brand is in the best hands. I know we will see the brand continue to thrive and grow. I’ve set up my team to carry forward our vision and values, ensuring the brand remains at the forefront of the industry. I am confident that the Trevor Sorbie name will endure and inspire future generations.
What is your favourite aspect of working together, and what makes your working dynamic so special?
G: My favourite aspect of working together is the combination of trust and respect that we have for each other. Although I might have Trevor’s blessing to lead the brand creatively, I’m always asking him for his advice or opinion.
T: As Giuseppe said, it’s the connection we have. When you get the right connection, you can bounce ideas back and forth – one person can excite the other and vice versa. When I chose Giuseppe as our creative director, I saw a lot of myself in him. At first, I had to hold his hand to show him the ropes but within a few months, I let him fly. He had it perfectly in line with my mind. It’s that old fashion saying that ‘great minds think alike’, and that’s me and Giuseppe.
45 years is a fantastic anniversary for the Covent Garden salon! What do you consider to be the secret to your long-term success?
T: I can sum up the answer in two words: discipline and consistency. Anyone who has worked for me will know that when people come to work for me, it’s like joining the army. I break down the way they think and build them back up, and they become one of us. They love my philosophy because it is very simple: I truly care about my staff. I believe our product is our staff.
How has the Trevor Sorbie brand evolved during your time with the company, and what excites you most about working for Trevor Sorbie right now?
G: During my time at Trevor Sorbie, I’ve seen the brand grow in ways that I couldn’t have imagined. We’ve embraced change and adapted ourselves to a much more current world while staying true to the quality and creativity that Trevor Sorbie is known for. What excites me most about working for Trevor Sorbie right now is our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence. This dedication to staying ahead of the game and constantly evolving makes every day engaging and keeps my enthusiasm for the work alive.
Join Evie and Aki from Allilon in this exciting collaboration, as they demonstrate a stunning colour and cut combination. Discover how even the simplest haircutting techniques can be transformed into something extraordinary with Evie’s amazing half-and-half colouring technique. Enjoy the journey!
Joshua Goldsworthy fashioned a copper-rich 90s shag with an 80s punk edge at The Coterie: In Session, back in 2017.
A quick-fire, five minute Masterclass from Allilon educators Kate and Madeleine to help you level up your skills.
Hair looks inspired by The Garden of Time theme at fashion’s iconic event.
Hair: Felicitas Hair
Photography and Retouching: Esteban Roca
Make-up: Kuki Giménez Agency
Styling: Visori FashionArt
Models: Shock Models
Products: Revlon Professional
Preview the FAME Team’s 2024 Portfolio, documenting both their styles and feelings behind each look.
How accidentally moving to London and a chance encounter with the Trevor Sorbie team accelerated his career.
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