The Creative Retreat London
The Creative Retreat
London, United Kingdom
26–27 July 2026
Location: Mash Studio, London
The Creative Retreat is a two-day experience for hairdressers and creatives who want to step out of survival mode and reconnect with themselves as artists.
Led by Candice McKay, the London edition offers a focused, studio-based setting for deep creative work. It’s a chance to slow down, step away from routine, and create space to think clearly and reconnect with your creative direction.
Hairdressing is more than technique.
It’s vision, creativity and storytelling.
Across two days, we work through mood boards, concept building, visual storytelling, trend forecasting and social media strategy, helping you turn raw ideas into intentional, expressive work. We also look at how to take ideas from concept to execution, so they can be applied confidently in real working contexts, whether for your salon, your social media, competitions, PR or collection work.
Mindful practices are woven throughout the retreat to help reset focus, release burnout and support creative clarity.
There is space to observe and discuss how ideas translate into real hair, imagery and decision making, without pressure to perform.
You’ll work within a small group of creatives. The space is non competitive and unbranded, with an emphasis on shared thinking rather than comparison. Conversation, reflection and exchange are central to the experience.
The retreat takes place at Mash Studio, a creative incubator and community space that values inclusion, sustainability and independent thinking. Brand neutral, zero to landfill, and welcoming to neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ creatives, it offers a calm, supportive environment for focused creative work.
An evening walking art tour through London is included, offering time to observe, absorb and draw inspiration from the city together.
Who this retreat suits
This retreat is well suited to freelancers, salon owners and educators who want space to think, create and reconnect, without pressure or performance.
What’s included
All Creative Retreat sessions
Course materials and workbooks
Healthy lunch and refreshments on both days
Guided evening walking art tour
Investment: £950
Payment terms available.
Enquiries & bookings
Contact Candice
Email: info@candicemckay.hair
WhatsApp: +351 920 269 627
The Creative Retreat Germany
Hosted by Davines
Location: Davines House, Düsseldorf
The Creative Retreat is a two-day experience for hairdressers and creatives who want to step out of survival mode and reconnect with themselves as artists.
Hosted at Davines House in Düsseldorf, this edition brings the Creative Retreat into a design-led, forward-thinking environment rooted in sustainability, culture and conscious beauty. It’s a space to slow down, step away from routine, and reconnect with creative direction in a thoughtful, grounded way.
Hairdressing is more than technique.
It’s vision, creativity and storytelling.
Across two days, we work through mood boards, concept development, visual storytelling, trend forecasting and social media strategy. The focus is on helping you translate instinct and inspiration into clear, intentional creative work that feels relevant and authentic—whether for your salon, personal brand, competitions, PR or collection work.
Mindful practices are woven throughout the retreat to help reset focus, release creative fatigue and create the mental space needed for deeper thinking and clarity. The emphasis is not on doing more, but on working with greater awareness, confidence and intention.
You’ll explore how creative ideas move from concept to execution, and how to articulate and present your work coherently in real-world contexts. There is time to observe, reflect and discuss how ideas translate into hair, imagery and decision making—without pressure to perform.
The retreat is unbranded and non-competitive, creating a supportive environment where shared thinking, openness and community come before comparison. You’ll work within a small, intentional group of creatives, with conversation and exchange at the heart of the experience. The connections formed often continue long after the retreat ends.
Davines House provides a calm, modern setting that reflects the brand’s values of sustainability, ethics and thoughtful design—offering the ideal backdrop for focused creative work and meaningful dialogue.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
All Creative Retreat sessions
Creative direction, trend forecasting, visual storytelling and social media strategy workshops
Guided mindful practices
Course materials and workbooks
Lunch and refreshments on both days
A curated, intimate group experience
Investment: €990
ENQUIRIES & BOOKINGS
For more information or to register interest:
Davines Germany
Email: n.gaerber@davines.de
Rügen
The Haarsnieder team will spend two day in workshop with Candice, learning everything about trend forecasting and the Sonder collection.
Private event
Madrid
The Mechanics of Texturizing
Unlock the art of texturizing with multiple scissor techniques, crafting magic beyond mere hair cutting. Dive deep into volume, bulk removal, and curl control, expanding your toolkit to unleash endless possibilities. Elevate your skills with this course, mastering both the 'how' and the science behind texturizing, ensuring optimal results with each technique.
Target audience - All stylists .
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Sonder, the realization that every person we encounter has a life as complex and vivid as our own. Each stranger passing us by on the street, every individual we meet, carries within them a unique story, experiences, and emotions.
The hair itself is raw, fresh, feminine, and minimalistic. It accentuates the natural texture and movement, while the makeup is clean, enhancing the beauty of each individual. Which revels against the imagery we are seeing in AI creations. All the looks are created to be easily replicated even in the busiest salon days, empowering hairdressers to deliver exceptional results with ease.
CAPE TOWN
Candice Mckay in Cape Town
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Workshop 6th May
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Target audience - All stylists
HELSINKI
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Bronzed sand, whitewashed stones, rust-coloured rocks and pearlescent sunlight gleaming on ocean waves. Imagine yourself walking along the coast, the sun warming your skin - and highlighting the natural beauty of your hair. The rich colours glowing with vitality, the style relaxed and uniquely you.