27 September 2018

He Who Dares

He Who Dares

East Sussex College, formerly Sussex Downs College, welcomed renowned hairstylist Paul Dare to the Lewes and Eastbourne campuses last week (19th September).

The Australian-based hairdresser ran an afternoon workshop for Level 2 and Level 3 Hairdressing students, demonstrating a haircut and talking about his 40-year career in the industry.

“A hairdresser is a sculptor; it’s a very creative process,” Paul told the full-time Hairdressing students. Upon realising this, Paul pursued a career in hairdressing over studying architecture, starting his career with Vidal Sassoon. It was here that he was taught the Vidal Sassoon philosophy: a clean, minimal style using just scissors.

“I’m only human, I made mistakes,” Paul said to the students, admitting it took at least 50 haircuts to perfect the sharp edge in Vidal Sassoon’s iconic classic bob cut.

It was hairstylist Trevor Sorbie who changed Paul’s career. “He took away my blinkers with a haircut he created a haircut in 1980 called the Wolfman,” Paul continued. “He cut hair using a razor and it was coloured blonde on the tips, exposing dark roots. It was something I’d never seen before and it changed my world. With no discipline, hair is just so much fun.”

Fast forward to an era of YouTube video tutorials, including hair being cut with samurai swords and even set alight to achieve a style, then Paul’s own addition to the marketplace doesn’t seem so daunting. His product, the Dare Chisel, was created after Paul realised the layering and razoring effect he could create with a real chisel, creating an alternative to using conventional hair cutting tools.

”I appreciate the world Trevor Sorbie opened up for me. Then I thought, ‘what else can I use?’”

Paul’s motivational talk to the students urged them to experiment with different styles, using all the styling tools available. Paul left the UK in 1985 and opened his first salon in Australia in 1989. He also runs hands-on workshops to help educate and train stylists. Paul received a ‘Legends’ award in Australia, when he was just 42. “This was an absolute honour,” he said, as the prestigious award is usually reserved for “older hairstylists who have made their mark on the industry.”

Paul continues: “I want to remove students’ blinkers, in the same way Trevor Sorbie did for me. They will learn the foundations here at College, but I want them to realise early on in their training that there are multiple ways to cut hair. For me, I don’t go to work, I just have fun, and I’ve been doing that for 40 years!”

Emma Hartup, Head of Curriculum (Hair & Beauty, Hospitality & Catering, Business, Travel & Tourism at East Sussex College adds, “It’s been fantastic to welcome Paul to the College to run this workshop for our students. He’s unique flair and approach to style has been inspiring. Working with renowned industry stylists is critical for our students and complements their creative learning here at College.”