Rags to Riches: Bristol Barber Becomes Celebrity Stylist

A Bristol-born hairdresser, Carl Bembridge, has transformed his life from a council estate to a career styling global celebrities. Facing significant health challenges, including 11 operations for rickets as a child, Bembridge harbored dreams of working in the fashion and beauty industry. His career took off after being personally selected to style Ariana Grande for the filming of 'Wicked' in London. This monumental opportunity, which brought him to tears, opened doors to further high-profile jobs. He previously used tips to fund his travel to London for volunteer work on photo shoots, posting his work on social media. This led to his first celebrity client, Katie Price, setting him on a path to international acclaim. A decade into his career, Bembridge recently completed a press tour in New York with The Pussycat Dolls, and his styling has been featured on the cover of Vogue. He maintains close ties to his roots, regularly visiting his former apprenticeship salon, Cohesion Hair, in Bristol, whom he considers family. The co-owner of Cohesion Hair, Karen Whyte, noted Bembridge's innate potential and transformation from a painfully shy schoolboy into a confident professional. Bembridge's skills are in demand for jobs ranging from 90 minutes to several days, enabling him to travel extensively. His mother was instrumental in nurturing his talent, gifting him a hair styling mannequin as a child, on which he tirelessly practiced. Now based in Essex, he has secured a role on Season 8 of Love Island USA, filming in Fiji, and is represented by an American agent. Bembridge embraces his journey, stating, 'Dreams can come true no matter where you're from,' while proudly representing Bristol.