HairCon Unveils Star-Studded Opening Night including Celebration for Trevor Sorbie
Published:HairCon Powered by Fresha has revealed details of its highly anticipated invite-only Opening Night. Set to take place at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse on Saturday June 13, 2026, it is set to kick off the official opening of HairCon to the professional hair and barbering community running from Sunday, June 14 to Monday, June 15.
The invitation-only event will bring together some of the biggest names in global hairdressing and barbering for an evening of creativity, live performance and industry celebration, offering guests an exclusive first look at the visionary content and talent shaping HairCon 2026.
Running from 6pm to 11pm, the Opening Night promises high-production creative showcases, immersive performances and industry-leading artistry, all set within one of the UK’s most iconic live music venues.
Among the standout moments of the evening will be Trevor Sorbie: Celebrating a Creative Legacy, recognising the extraordinary contribution of the late Trevor Sorbie MBE to the global hairdressing industry.
The showcase will celebrate Trevor Sorbie’s pioneering creativity, mentorship and lasting influence on generations of hairdressers. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern hairdressing, Trevor Sorbie helped shape British hairdressing’s reputation on the world stage and inspired industry leaders including Eugene Souleiman, Angelo Seminara, Sally Brooks, Antoinette Beenders and Tom Connell.
Combining storytelling, conversation, creative presentations and live performance, the celebration will reflect the many facets of Trevor Sorbie’s legacy – from his groundbreaking work and iconic haircutting innovations to his humour, generosity and commitment to supporting others.
The celebration will also recognise the enduring impact of mynewhair, the charity founded by Trevor Sorbie to support people experiencing medical hair loss.
HairCon organisers confirmed that the celebration will extend into the official HairCon event which opens on Sunday June 14, with additional creative and storytelling-led moments dedicated to honouring Trevor Sorbie’s influence on the profession.
Alongside the Trevor Sorbie celebration, HairCon’s Opening Night will feature an impressive line-up of creative presentations from some of the industry’s leading brands and artists.
Led by Nick Irwin, Deep Culture explores the relationship between historical hair references, contemporary subcultures, fashion and music, offering a creative perspective on cultural relevance in modern hairdressing.
Paul Mitchell will present Ignite, a showcase designed to inspire creativity through colour and innovation. Featuring Noogie Thai, Severine Papin, Maria Mueller and Vicky Panting, the presentation celebrates the brand’s ongoing commitment to hairdressers since its launch in 1980.
Led by Akin Konizi, HOB Academy will debut Wella Professionals’ latest colour innovation through a collection of exclusive looks, highlighting technical excellence, contemporary craftsmanship and creative colour artistry.
Internationally renowned creative Charlie Le Mindu will unveil the Red Capsule Collection, a couture-inspired showcase that combines fashion, costume design and experimental materials. Human hair is incorporated into fabrics through embroidery, weaving and braiding techniques, with the collection exploring themes of resilience, beauty and transformation.
Powered by Fresha and led by Josh Lamonaca, MENSPIRE’s DECODE promises a thought-provoking exploration of modern masculinity through hair. Featuring a diverse range of looks, the presentation challenges expectations while showcasing technical precision, texture and movement.
HairCon organisers have confirmed that further Opening Night reveals will be announced for the exclusive invite-only event, as the show prepares to deliver another year of industry-leading education, creativity and innovation.
Taking place at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse, HairCon continues to position itself as a destination event for the professional hair and barbering industry, bringing together brands, artists, educators and salon professionals for two days of inspiration, business insight and community connection.
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