Grooming Guru visits Bolton College

On Wednesday 2nd November, employers from the hair and barbering industry joined Bolton College students to enjoy a two-hour clipper seminar delivered by Simon Shaw, an award-winning barber from one of the UK’s leading trimmer brands, Wahl.   

The event, which was organised in conjunction with Sally Salons, featured three live demonstrations in the College’s Performing Arts Auditorium, and used keen Bolton College students as models.  

The seminar was also streamed live on the College’s Facebook page, so that enthusiasts unable to attend the demonstration could watch live from the comfort of their own home. 

Simon is considered a Grooming Guru within the industry; he shuns traditional scissor methods of styling, and instead creates innovative cuts using only Wahl clippers and trimmers. Simon commented: “I deliver shows the length and breadth of the country, over the past few weeks I’ve been everywhere from Belfast to London. It’s been a pleasure delivering a show from such a smart, up-to-date College. Hopefully I’ll be back again next year”. 

Students, apprentices, qualified hairdressers and barbers, and hair-industry employers used the seminar to brush up on existing skills or in some instances, to learn new ones. 

Nikki Lanaghan, owner of Object D’Art on St Georges Road, said: “The demo was so informative, I really enjoyed it. I already use clippers in the salon but it’s important to refresh skills, so I was very keen to come to the College to see the seminar”. 

Dean Greenhalgh, who is a former student of the College and now barbers at Escape in Edgworth, added: “Simon’s demonstration was really educational, I can’t wait to pass on what I’ve learnt to colleagues, and am keen to try out some of the techniques on my customers”. 

Sarah Bleackley, Hairdressing Curriculum Leader at the College, said: “Bolton College recognises that barbering is a rapidly expanding, dynamic industry; it counts for a large part of the UK’s annual £7.1 billion hair and beauty industry. As such, we constantly strive to be at the forefront of teaching in the industry, and inviting guests like Simon demonstrates our commitment to barbering. It’s been great to see ex-students and their employers in the audience, and it’s really inspiring to speak to them and see how far they’ve progressed”. 

Fancy getting into barbering or hairdressing yourself, or brushing up on your existing skills? Browse our range of fantastic courses here.