Adir Abergel // 📸: Beau Grealy
Adir Abergel // 📸: Beau Grealy

The World’s Best Groomers Share Their Stories

These five iconic hairdressers are masters of helping folks feel good.

Words by John Pearson

Alongside this week’s Mr Feelgood cover star, Sam McKnight MBE, we wished to remind you of other excellent groomers that we’ve featured along the way.

Collectively, they have coiffured the heads of sports stars, movie icons, royalty and the most vulnerable, homeless people living on the streets.

Cutting someone’s hair is not limited to merely chopping the locks in a skillful and stylish manner. It’s a much more intimate service which requires trust, familiarity, mutual respect and warmth.

It’s a relationship that can span many decades and travel a lifetime of ups and down — a safe and often cherished experience that allows for space, honest conversations, confidences. A therapist of sort and sometimes an alchemist, someone capable of shifting the client’s energy and thus being the catalyst for a new chapter in life.

Each individual below has their own story, their own uniqueness, and I’m certain will agree that the practical hairdressing part is only as important to them as the human connection.


CHRIS MCMILLAN

Chris McMillan // 📸: Sam Frost (Originally photographed for C Magazine)
Chris McMillan // 📸: Sam Frost (Originally photographed for C Magazine)

What an epic life Chris McMillan has led. His story reads like a Hollywood script, from the depths of drinking and drugs and finally rehab, to creating the famous ‘Rachel Green’ cut for Jennifer Anniston in Friends. Today he is owner of one of the world’s leading salons and continues to follow his passion, with an A-list roster of clients.

Read Here


ADIR ABERGEL

Adir Abergel // 📸: Beau Grealy
Adir Abergel // 📸: Beau Grealy

Like a hurricane of energy and feel good, hairdresser Adir Abergel left his parents in Israel at eight years old, with little knowledge of the English language, and overcoming great odds as an immigrant, he forged a career that has seen him work with some of the worlds brightest stars.

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JOSHUA COOMBES

Joshua Coombes // 📸: Laurent Demartini
Joshua Coombes // 📸: Laurent Demartini

As a late starter to his profession, Joshua, touched by the epidemic of homelessness, has focussed his time, empathy and talent, traveling the world and giving haircuts and dignity to those most vulnerable, living on the streets.

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MIRA CHAI HYDE

Mira Chai Hyde // 📸 : Nicola Buck
Mira Chai Hyde // 📸 : Nicola Buck

As one of the first female barbers of men’s hair, trained at Vidal Sassoon, Mira has travelled the world as one of the industries most in demand groomers. These days, she’s built an ever-expanding business cutting hair from her bohemian and utterly congenial garage. Citing opportunity, creativity and the value of hard work, Mira is an example in motion for the next generation.

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JOHNNIE SAPONG

Johnnie Sapong // 📸: Beau Grealy
Johnnie Sapong // 📸: Beau Grealy

A craftsman, an artisan, an indomitable spirit, leading hairdresser Johnnie Sapong is loved by all those fortunate enough to encounter his positive presence. In this interview, he shares his recent near death experience, the wisdom and importance of family, and his gratitude for his clients and community who stepped up to give back.

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John is a world-renowned male model who has been the face of countless leading fashion houses. During his 36-year modeling career he has also moonlighted as an actor, writer, restauranteur, editor, and producer. He co-founded Mr Feelgood to provide a safe space for candid discussion and sharing ideas.

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