College News

Stylist to the stars stops by at Solihull College

Top celebrity hair stylist Andrew Barton hosts Solihull College event . . .

Andrew, who is famed for his role on Channel 4’s ‘Ten Years Younger’, was invited to host a College event aimed at young males to raise awareness of gender stereotyping in employment as well as promote career opportunities on offer within the predominantly female industry of hairdressing.

Local secondary school pupils attended the event which saw former hairdressing student Lindell Smith give demonstrations of the latest male styles. Lindell completed an apprenticeship programme through the College last year and now has a successful career specialising in barbering.

He wowed Andrew - whose cliental has included Madonna, Jennifer Aniston and Jordan, with this creative pattern shaved styles. “I am completely blown away by Lindell’s creativity and visual talent. His demonstrations were exceptional and his talent captured the audiences’ attention from the start.”

The event took place at the newly built Woodlands campus in north Solihull and also included a question and answer session providing the all male audience with the opportunity to talk to Andrew about his career choice and the benefits that a job in hairdressing has to offer.

Andrew comments on the success of the event: “It was a great initiative to encourage young men into a career that is not seen as a normal career path.”

The College’s Hair and Beauty tutors worked with the 14-19 Gender Equality team at the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to organise the day.

Yvonne Malpass, Head of Hair and Beauty at the College adds: “As a College it’s vital that we do all we can to challenge gender stereotyping as it can greatly affect a young person’s career choice. Hairdressing is an ever expanding industry and can offer young people exciting career opportunities, regardless of their gender.”