Trevor Hyland, a 26-year-old from Shrule, County Mayo, has earned the nickname “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Mullet” after entering a Swiss competition to find the best retro mullet hairstyle. The contest could send him to represent Ireland at the European level if he wins.
Hyland’s entry went viral after the story was shared by Ladbible and other large social media pages. “I sent it there a couple of days ago, and it just blew up,” he said, surprised by the attention.
The competition aims to find Switzerland’s top mullet. Semi-finalists will join a parade in Valais in October, and the winner will move on to the ‘Euro Mullet 2025’ contest in France. Public voting runs through September 26, with a panel of judges also helping decide the winner.
Living in Visp, Switzerland, Hyland works in pharmaceuticals and is excited about the festival, where past winners will be present. He joked about an “ancient fella” who still sports a mullet handing down the trophy.
The photo that captured the internet’s attention was taken by Hyland’s friend and professional barber, Ciaran Collopy. Hyland had flown to Dublin for his sister’s wedding and surprised his family with his bold new haircut. He had been growing the mullet for months and wanted a fresh trim before submitting his competition photo. Collopy worked on his hair for two to three hours to perfect the look just before the wedding.
Only his brother knew about the mullet before the wedding day. “He was laughing in the corner,” Hyland recalled. The rest of the family was busy with wedding plans, so no one noticed at first. However, his mother was unhappy when she finally saw it at dinner.
Despite initial shock, the hairstyle was a hit with other wedding guests, who kept asking about the competition. This positive response helped his family accept the bold new look.
To vote for Hyland, supporters must pick five favorite entries and provide an email address. Many don’t realize they need to select multiple contestants to vote.
Hyland has lived in Switzerland for a year and enjoys the local culture. He chose the country because it’s close enough to Ireland for frequent visits. He also appreciates the weather, with summers reaching around 35 degrees Celsius and winters filled with skiing.
Prizes for the winner include the Swiss Mullet Cup trophy, a year’s supply of Mullet Tea—a hard iced tea brand sponsoring the event—and the chance to become the face of Mullet Tea. Hyland joked that he has an advantage because he looks like the brand’s current mascot.
The contest has been a fun way for Hyland to connect with his new home while showing off his unique style on an international stage.
