The Art Of Hair At Trevor Sorbie

YOU take your life in your hands when you trust someone with your tresses.

This is not a dramatic overstatement. I’ve been unfortunate enough to have experienced epic hair horrors that make me an authority on this. The perm that had to be cut out, unkindly coining me the nickname ‘lad’ when I was at school. Not a great confidence builder in those testing teenage years. Various colour calamities. Blonde to black left a strange pink tinge lingering on my locks for far too long. Plum slices that ended up as a full purple rinse. The fringe that was a complete cringe. The catalogue of catastrophes goes on.

Vince has a list of faithful high profile clients and he’s entirely unpretentious about this. It is all about the craft. And he’s a bloody nice bloke to boot.

Before - an overgrown 'mum bob'So I was bereft when my hairdresser of many years moved away. How very rude. What was a girl to do? Given that he also cut most of my closest friends’ manes I was short on recommendations.

After umming and ahhing for a good few months, my previously edgy crop had taken on a mum-bob boringness. No offence to the mums out there with said style, it’s just not for me. As luck would have it one of the crew at Trevor Sorbie suggested I pay a visit to Vince, the newest addition to their talented team.

With an amount of apprehension as though I was approaching a blind date, I trip trapped to the Spring Gardens salon. Upon being greeted, I was offered refreshments from the complimentary in-house bar. 11am was a bit too early even for me to get on the bubbles, so I settled on a mocha and a lovely chunk of lemon cake. Despite the esteemed credibility of the name behind this salon it isn’t at all daunting and there are no divas in residence. I felt instantly at ease.

Vince Allenby works his magicAs soon as I met Vince, we clicked. I explained my plight and he conceded my look may be erring a bit too much on the side of Hale housewife considering what I actually wanted.

Washed and ready to go we nattered on while he set to work.

Vince may be new to Trevor Sorbie, but he’s certainly no young pup in hairdressing. Without giving his age away it’s polite to say he’s got a fair few decades under his belt in this profession. There’s a lifelong pattern of fine art, to hairdressing, dabbling with studying fine art again and back to hairdressing, from own salon to session styling to other salons and most recently to Trevor Sorbie.

His digits work with the dexterity of a true craftsman. Vince has an astonishing eye for detail and it struck me as being the most painstakingly perfectionist cut I have ever had. He is a hair artist.

This reputation has preceded him as I learnt he has a list of faithful high profile clients and he’s entirely unpretentious about this. It is all about the craft. And he’s a bloody nice bloke to boot.

After - sharp and chicFrom debating the best Porn Star Martini in Manchester to philosophising about getting through life without selling your soul, we covered a diverse base of easygoing conversation. Hairdressers hear so much and having worked with celebrities, royalty, WAGS (apparently they hate being labelled with the W word) Vince had a few entertaining stories in the bank. Taking on the role of therapist is another hat to wear when faced with a client requesting a drastic change. He stressed it’s important to find out what a client really wants as sometimes it’s an internal issue that actually needs addressing, but once those scissors snip there’s no going back. Been there, worn the whole wardrobe for that one.

Technical excellence is at the fore for all at Trevor Sorbie and Vince is excited about working with a team of likeminded professionals. Confirmation of that kindred spirit came when Trevor himself asked Vince to “tell him about art”. This might sound a bit deep for a write-up about a haircut, but your crowning glory is exactly that and therefore deserves a high degree of consideration. It should also be a fun experience so if you want to tick those boxes give Vince a whirl. I can now personally recommend him and I’ll be going back.

Telephone 0161 839 2255 or visit www.trevorsorbie.com for more information.

Click here to be in with a chance of winning a hair cut with Vince and a personalised goody bag.