Stylist brings hope to those with wigs

HE is the David Beckham of the hairdressing world - known for giving women the look that makes them feel a million dollars.

But now world-renowned stylist Trevor Sorbie is hoping his skills can make a huge difference to women who have suffered hair loss due to a medical condition.

The salon guru was in Long Melford yesterday demonstrating an innovative service which sees professionals cutting and styling wigs for patients.

Cancer patient Julie Woodgate, of Cock & Bell Lane in Long Melford, was the first Suffolk woman to benefit from the scheme “My New Hair” - the brainchild of Mr Sorbie himself.

The 51-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in June and lost her locks as a result of chemotherapy treatment. She was prescribed a wig through the NHS but felt awkward wearing it, until it was properly styled by her village salon, Look Good, Feel Better in Hall Street.

Sporting her new hair after Mr Sorbie got to work with one of her wigs, she said: “It is fantastic because there is nowhere else like this in this area and to come somewhere where it is completely private and get one-to-one service with professional wig cutters, I think it is brilliant.

“It looks really real and it makes me feel fabulous and makes me feel normal again.”

She added: “It is an absolute dream come true to have Trevor style my wig.”

Mr Sorbie first came up with the concept of customising wigs when his sister-in-law was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and came to him for help to keep her looking attractive for his brother.

“That was when the penny dropped and I realised I was giving here more than a hairstyle, I was giving her the confidence to go out in the street and not to be stared at and to make her feel like a woman again,” he said.

“All I am trying to do is create a service that has not been addressed before. I do this free of charge because what I get out of it is far more rewarding than money can buy and it is the last chapter in my hairdressing career.”

So far award-winning Mr Sorbie has trained 200 hairdressers to style wigs - which are paid for by the NHS for patients - to his high standards.

And after registering the scheme as a charity and going into Downing Street and receiving financial backing from the Government, he hopes to now double that number.

“I have spent my whole life trying to make people look and feel good but this is an extension of that and this is more satisfying than trimming someone's hair every six weeks,” he added.

The designer wig that makes patients feel 'fabulous'

But now world-renowned stylist Trevor Sorbie is hoping his skills can make a life-changing difference to women with no hair.

The salon guru was in Long Melford yesterday demonstrating an innovative service which sees professionals cutting and styling wigs for patients who have suffered medical hair loss.

Cancer patient Julie Woodgate, of Cock & Bell Lane in Long Melford, was the first Suffolk woman to benefit from the scheme “My New Hair” - the brainchild of Mr Sorbie himself.

The 51-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in June and lost her locks as a result of chemotherapy treatment. She was prescribed a wig through the NHS but felt awkward wearing it, until it was properly styled by her village salon, Look Good, Feel Better in Hall Street.

Sporting her new hair after Mr Sorbie got to work with one of her wigs, she said: “It is fantastic because there is nowhere else like this in this area and to come somewhere where it is completely private and get one-to-one service with professional wig cutters I think it is brilliant.

“It looks really real and it makes me feel fabulous and makes me feel normal again.”

She added: “It is an absolute dream come true to have Trevor style my wig.”

Mr Sorbie first came up with the concept of customising wigs when his sister-in-law was diagnosed with cancer four years ago and came to him for help to keep her looking attractive for his brother.

“That was when the penny dropped and I realised I was giving here more than a hairstyle, I was giving her the confidence to go out in the street and not to be stared at and to make her feel like a woman again,” he said. “All I am trying to do is create a service that has not been addressed before. I do this free of charge because what I get out of it is far more rewarding than money can buy and it is the last chapter in my hairdressing career.”

So far Mr Sorbie has trained 200 hairdressers to style wigs - offered to patients at cost prices - to his high standards. And after registering the scheme as a charity and marching into Downing Street and receiving financial backing from the Government, he hopes to now double that number.

“I have spent my whole life trying to make people look and feel good but this is an extension of that and this is more satisfying than trimming someone's hair every six weeks,” he added.