At the age of 15, Louis Byrne found himself homeless. Battling with who he was, what he was and whether the world had space for him in it. At question were his sexuality, his identity and his future. Even in those darkest moments, he did have one positive thing: belief. Belief that he could make it out, do something good and turn his story into strength. This belief was the spark behind ‘I Can, I Am, and I Will’, a reset plan for creatives, hairdressers and humans who are ready to remember their worth. A reminder that everyone deserves access to confidence, creativity and community.
Fast forward to today and Louis Byrne is a respected name in the hairdressing industry. He’s a great session artist, regularly featuring in Vogue, Numero and Wonderland and collaborating with some of the world’s most luxurious brands, but he’s also more than that. He sees himself as a listener, a space-holder and a mirror for others to see their power. “My aunt gave me a brush and comb at the age of four and unknowingly gave me my purpose”, says Louis. “That chair became my safe place, and now it’s a safe space for my clients too.”
Dear Industry – Can We Talk?
This is an open letter from someone who still believes in his craft. I love this industry, but I won’t lie – I’m watching it lose its soul. We used to be artists, listeners and healers. We still are, but it’s getting harder to hear ourselves over the noise. Every week, there’s a new product, a new ‘must-have’, a new viral trend telling us how we need to cut, colour, style, sell and how we need to be.
Somewhere along the way, craft became content and technique took a back seat to TikTok. The chair – our sacred space – has started to feel more like a conveyor belt. We’ve traded legacy for likes. Connection for conversions. Patience for performance. I’m tired. Tired of watching young talent chase validation instead of mastery. Tired of seeing stylists burn out trying to keep up with an industry that rarely looks up to see them. Tired of pretending that shiny branding can replace the quiet magic that happens when hands meet hair with intention. But I’m also hopeful. Because I’ve seen what happens when we return to our roots.
Because it’s about more than hair. It’s about healing, identity and dignity. It’s about making sure no one is left out of the conversation – whether they’re in a classroom, a salon or somewhere in between. So, this is a call – not for rebellion, but for remembrance. Let’s remember what it means to be in service. Let’s remember the value of slow, skilled, soulful work. Let’s remember that consumerism doesn’t have to crush the craft, if we choose to create with consciousness.
To the next gen: you don’t need to go viral to matter. To the vets: your wisdom is needed now more than ever. To the brands: back the culture, not just the campaign. And to all of us: let’s stop selling hair and start honouring it. The future isn’t just about trends. It’s about truth. And I’m betting on ours.
With love, power and purpose,
Louis Byrne x
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