Contributed by Michael Conlin, South Africa
SIMON FORBES … HIS DREAM BECAME A REALITY
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Simon Forbes.
He passed away on Saturday the 9th May after a very long battle with cancer. Fortunately, he was not hospitalised until the last hours of his life.
We send all our sympathy and condolences to his daughter, Lucy and son Callum. He was with Callum to his passing but unfortunately, Lucy is living in California and has not yet been able yet to return to London.
We know that apart from his family and friends this news will leave many hairstylists across the globe very saddened. His influence spread to every continent in the world — rightly credited with his invention of hair extensions, nearly 40 years ago, which changed the face of hairdressing.
Simon rose to fame in 1980 after opening the Antenna London salon in Kensington. It catered for the youth market and it was here where he applied his creative concepts and produced some of the most iconic images that define the decade. From females with shaved sides, to guys with sharp and strong looks, and, of course, his invention of Monofibre hair extensions. Antenna London was the heart of hair fashion and attracted clients and influencers of the generation from all over the globe, including the likes of Madonna, Boy George, Annie Lennox, Cher, Toyah Wilcox, to name a few.
This influential clientele continued into the 21st century with celebs such as Peaches Geldof, Elle MacPherson and Cheryl Cole.
Simon, along with his partner, Eleanor Donaldson, set up Dome — manufacturing, distributing and training hairstylists globally. Simon toured tirelessly, educating and amusing audiences, with his brilliant sense of humour combined with his forthright views.
He went on to have a successful TV production company and the first viewing was that of The Hairdresser featuring Lee Stafford.
The last years of his life were spent quietly fighting his illness but still involved with Dome. We are delighted that he lived long enough to see his latest development, Monofibre JNR Tape (not officially launched yet). This is a quick easy way to give clients Monofibre extensions without having to master the technique required to apply the Original Monofibre.
He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, but also, so many others whose lives he touched with his game-changing creativity and intelligence. It was his desire that his creation of hair extensions became a staple service within the industry. The fourth accepted service.
Without a doubt, his dream came true.
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