Kris Sorbie

Kris Sorbie has achieved star status in the hairdressing industry. Winner and five-time nominee of the prestigious North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) Master Hairdresser of the Year, she also received the 2004 and 2005 Canadian International Hairstylist of the Year, an ABBIES award for Best Salon Education Program, and Best Educator of the Year at HairColor USA.
Early Life
Born in London, England, Kris is the youngest daughter of Polish refugees: a tailor mother and watchmaker father. Against her parents’ wishes, she left school at age 16 to attend Chiswick Polytechnic and study hair and beauty. Her father wanted Kris to follow in his footsteps as a watchmaker, while her mother’s heart was set on her career as a secretary. Kris considered medicine (as a brain surgeon, no less), but the thought of years of study and a lot of reading helped confirm that her passion for hair, from the age of 7, was her calling.
Although Kris failed all the exams required for college entry, Chiswick Polytechnic gave her the opportunity to attend. She persuaded them she would be the best student they would ever have . . . and she was!
Influence in Hairdressing
After graduating college, Kris floated from salon to salon until she finally found her fit at Shyloks, one of the United Kingdom’s first cut and blow-dry salons—a totally new concept in the world of hair at that time. Within a short period, she was promoted to manager, developed her skills with hair, grew an enormous clientele, and discovered her profound respect for, and influence in, education.
In 1980, Kris met Trevor Sorbie, one of the industry’s greatest hairdressers. She worked alongside him for almost 20 years until Redken 5th Avenue discovered her onstage at HairColor USA and offered her the position of Global Artistic Director. This reignited her passion and gave her an opportunity to showcase her individual talents.
Relocating to New York
Kris was quickly recognized as a world-renowned leader in cutting-edge hair color concepts and techniques. As an expert in the field of long hair styling, she raised the bar in the art of finishing. She has been lead stylist on many shows for NY Fashion Week and is a regular guest speaker at Teen Vogue Fashion University.
Integrating her years of diverse experience as an art director, color consultant, video producer, and Redken Exchange Facilitator, Kris breaks the mold time and time again. She uses the juxtaposition between contrasting elements—fragility and strength, tradition and modernity, and fluidity and severity—to bring innovative trends and fashion-forward artistry to the forefront of the salon industry. Her ability to translate these into profit potential in the salon paves the way toward a better life for stylists, both financially and artistically. In her role as Redken’s Education Artistic Director, Kris equips salon stylists with the tools and know-how to grow professionally and to profit in their role behind the chair.
Hair Color DVD
Kris’s passion for the hairdressing industry has led her to leave a legacy. Her DVD series, ‘B -ING WHERE YOU WANT TO B' ® offers stylists the inspiration to develop color techniques and apply them to grow their business and brand.
Awards
2006 NAHA Master Hairdresser of the Year - Nominee
2006 Canadian Hairdresser Mirror Awards - International Stylist Nomination
2005 Canadian International Hairstylist of the Year
2005 NAHA Master Hairdresser of the Year - Nominee
2004 Canadian International Hairstylist of the Year

2004 NAHA Master Hairdresser of the Year - Nominee
2003 Canadian Hairdresser Mirror Awards - International Stylist Nomination
2003 NAHA Master Hairdresser of the Year - Nominee
2002 NAHA Master Hairdresser of the Year
2002 ABBIES Award - Best Salon Educational Program
2002 Ripped Ragged and Torn Technical Collection
2001 NAHA Master Hairdresser of the Year - Nominee
2000 HairColor USA - Most Inspirational Instruction
1998 HairColor USA - Best Educator of the Year
Video Production
2009 KS+CB Educational DVD

2009 'B-ING WHERE YOU WANT TO B’®

2009 Redken Education on Demand

2007 I’m not just a hairdresser

2006 Outrage

2005 Intersection
2004 Transparency
2004 Redken for Men
2003 Architecture & Discord
2002 Ripped Ragged and Torn
2000 Redken Trends
Collections
2006 Outrage
2005 Intersection
2004 Transparency
2004 Redken for Men
2003 Architecture & Discord
2002 Ripped Ragged and Torn
2000 Redken Trends

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