The Hair Salon Academy
Advanced hair education courses with Oliver and Vanessa.
Step into a world where hairstyling meets art, culture, and inclusivity with Vanessa and Oliver’s professional hairstyling education platform. Hosted in Brighton through The Hair Salon Academy, these masterclasses blend decades of experience and passion, led by industry veterans Oliver Blackaby and Vanessa Koeb. With over thirty years in the industry for Oliver and nearly two decades for Vanessa, these courses are crafted to bring a transformative edge to your hair artistry.
Our courses don’t just teach techniques; they immerse you in the origins, inspirations, and stories behind each look, empowering you to deliver cutting-edge, trend-driven styles with a deeper understanding of fashion, history, and the artistry that fuels today’s hair trends.
Our Comprehensive Education Curriculum
Fashion-Driven Insights
Stay on the pulse of contemporary hair design with insights into how art, architecture, and fashion influence long hair styling. We bring you a nuanced perspective on trends, helping you interpret and recreate looks that are relevant and fashion-forward.
Advanced Crafting and Cutting TechniquesÂ
Refine your craft with current techniques in cutting, razoring, and layering. Our training fuses classic and modern approaches to create dimension, movement, and a unique personality in every hairstyle. With techniques rooted in high-end services and the latest fashion, you’ll achieve a level of precision that sets your work apart.
Salon-Ready Editorial Styling
With our experience on editorial and fashion photo shoots, we bring you the latest in session styling techniques, equipping you to create camera-ready looks. Our approach blends salon artistry with the essence of session work, empowering you to produce dynamic, collection-worthy looks that are also suited to real-world salon settings.
Transformative Iconic Looks
Unlock the skills to modernize and reinvent iconic hairstyles, giving you the confidence to deliver high-fashion results that resonate with today’s trends while honoring classic inspiration.
Hair Education Courses 2025
Edgy Revolution - 17th Feb
A hands-on course designed to redefine short hair styling through three iconic looks: The Shullet, The Mixie, and The Crop. This workshop blends foundational cutting principles with advanced texturizing,razor and visual cutting techniques, empowering hairstylists to craft bold, modern, and effortlessly cool styles. Each haircut tells a story, from the playful and versatile nature of the Shullet to the polished edge of the Mixie and the daring confidence of the Crop. This course is ideal for hairstylists looking to expand their skill set, embrace daring trends, and deliver personalised, cutting-edge looks that clients will love.
One day course. Perfect for any skill level, but must have basic cutting skills.Â
Classic To Cool - 24th March
From foundation to innovation.
Step-by-step workshop dedicated to creating iconic yet modern hairstyles. Transitioning from timeless classic shapes to contemporary cool looks, this course offers a comprehensive presentation of each hairstyle’s evolution and the influences behind these trends.
Our focus will be on mastering the fundamentals of cutting, combined with advanced texturising techniques, to create versatile and dynamic versions of each haircut. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the principles that underpin each style from a timeless one bob with graduation, to the texture bob, to the popular midi crop, empowering them to craft customised looks with confidence and creativity.
One day course. Perfect for any skill level, but must have basic cutting skills.
Redefine Masculine Hair - 12th May
Redefine masculinity in hairstyling with a course designed for those ready to embrace the modern evolution of long masculine. This workshop moves beyond traditional male cuts, focusing on inclusivity and diverse gender identities to create versatile, contemporary styles. Using razors and scissors instead of clippers, you’ll explore advanced cutting and styling techniques for long and mid-length looks inspired by pop culture icons.This course highlights three distinctive styles: The Jared, The Harry and The Jacob.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the expertise to create long hairstyles that embrace individuality and challenge traditional definitions of masculinity, providing your clients with personalised, fashion-forward looks.
One day course. Perfect for any skill level, but must have basic cutting skills.Â
Timeless Layers - 2nd June
Step into the glamour of the fashion world with Timeless Layers, a course dedicated to mastering long hair techniques inspired by runway trends and the iconic styles of supermodels like Gisele Bündchen, Cindy Crawford and Kate Moss
This workshop goes beyond standard hairstyling, delving into the cultural impact of supermodel hair and its continued influence on modern trends.
Participants will learn advanced layering, cutting, and styling techniques that emphasize shape, movement, and versatility. With a focus on body positioning, distribution, and inversion methods, this course ensures precision and polish in every cut and style.
One day course. Perfect for any skill level, but must have basic cutting skills.Â
Our Education Philosophy
Inclusivity and inspiration are at the heart of our educational ethos. Designed as a safe, judgement-free space, our courses invite stylists of all backgrounds and gender identities to come together, learn, and grow. We’re committed to providing a genderless approach to cutting, blending our understanding of both masculine and feminine styles into a versatile, universal technique that respects and celebrates individuality.
Our masterclasses reflect our commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and the sharing of inspiration. We don’t just teach; we learn alongside you, constantly evolving to incorporate the latest in fashion, trends, and techniques. Join us on this educational experience to bring your craft to the next level. To find out about our upcoming courses sign up to our Academy mailing list below, and follow us @thehairsalonacademy
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