BarberEVO Magazine

Be part of the Barber EVOlution

Andrew Brewster

Introducing the National Association of Barbers

The National Association of Barbers is thrilled to announce the launch of their new website, www.nationalbarbers.org

A passionate community of barbers and industry professionals dedicated to providing business and long-term career support for licensed barbers, barbershop owners, and barber students.

“At National Association of Barbers, we strive to support all the various and unique needs of our professional barber community through support, resources and inspiration. We believe and appreciate the work that barbers do each day and look forward to becoming their business partner”—Sanita Rizvic, Brand Manager

In additional to free resources, NAOB is furthering supporting barbers and the progression of their careers in offering premium liability insurance, at an industry low price. This includes protection for any mishaps that may happen in the barbershop in addition to stolen equipment coverage. NAOB will be there for professional barbers through the best of times and protect them in the challenging ones.

All members of The National Association of Barbers will receive A rated professional liability coverage, free resources, a free professional website, and additional member benefits such as discounts to the top barber brands in the industry. The National Association of Barbers is committed to providing U.S. barbers the best resources in the industry for the longevity and success of their careers.

Milwaukee Bucks and the Andis Foundation Partner Up

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Andis Foundation have partnered to host six “Barbershop Mondays” with Bucks’ community partner Safe & Sound and local young men.

Through the program, community rooms in Milwaukee neighborhoods will transform into pop-up barbershops, offering free haircuts to young men between the ages of 10-23. Facilitated by Safe & Sound, these six sessions are more than just a haircut as the barbershop chairs provide a casual setting for open communication and dialogue among attendees. The focus of these discussions is building social and emotional confidence, leadership and how youth can develop positive mentor relationships.

“The Andis Foundation is excited to partner with the Milwaukee Bucks for our new Barbershop Mondays, Powered by Andis program,” said Laura Andis Bishop, co-president of Andis Company. “Neighborhood barbershops have long played a critical role in their communities, providing a safe place for young men to gather and talk about issues with a positive role model – their barber. This innovative program is an extension of that important relationship.”

The first Barbershop Mondays program was held last week, with five more events slated through February and March. Bucks platers are scheduled to attend at least two of the remaining sessions. More details on those visits will be announced in due course.

MURDOCK LONDON and CALM join forces training UK barbers in Mental Health First Aid

21stof January – a day widely claimed to be the most depressing day of the year – but leading British barbershop, MURDOCK LONDON, are partnering with mental health charity, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), to help change the culture and stigma associated with discussing men’s mental health and help combat male suicide.

With 12 lives lost every day, suicide remains the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK.  Research from CALM has revealed that 84% of men bottle up their emotions, and are much less likely than women to consult a friend or family member if they’re going through a tough time, let alone reach out to a trained professional.

Many men feel more comfortable opening up to someone in a relaxed setting who sits outside of their social circle. In partnering with CALM, MURDOCK LONDON have made it their priority to make their barbershops an open space for discussion; training their barbers in Mental Health First Aid which enables them to recognise the signs if a client is struggling with their mental health and understand how to listen, talk, and refer them to CALM for further support if necessary.

Simon Gunning, CEO of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), said: “Murdock are an exciting, socially-conscious brand and we’re delighted to be partnering with them. Suicide remains the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, but working with brands like Murdock allows us to continue supporting men who may be going through a difficult times in their lives. CALM works to create positive cultural change and with Murdock, the barber’s chair is the perfect environment to start a conversation that might just save a life.”

SLICK BACKS AND TEXTURED STYLES TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT LFWM AW19

This year’s London Fashion Week Men’s AW19 gave us a preview into some of the trends we can expect to see in men’s hair in the year ahead, from relaxed, textured looks to slicked back sleek.

Daniel W. Fletcher’s models evoked an ‘after work playground feel’, with prep-schoolboy slicked down side parts giving way to ruffled, deconstructed crowns using Fudge Professional.

Another Fudge Professional user, Phoebe English’s latest collection focused on sustainable manufacturing processes using materials that would eventually return to the Earth. The hair followed a similarly natural aesthetic featuring models’ unique texture. This textured, natural style is one that some of BarberEVO’s favourite barbers have said we should expect to see a lot of this year, so it’s no surprise this look is making waves on the runway.

Toni&Guy dominated the runway, providing a range of dynamic hairstyles for Band of Outsiders, E. Tautz, Private Policy, Velsvoir and Paria Farzaneh. International Artistic Director Luke Harris took inspiration from American Psycho to create an iconic, slicked-back look for Paria Farzaneh, complementing the glossy make-up and streamlined tailoring.

Again focusing on laid-back, minimal looks, Toni&Guy’s Dexter Johnson creates soft textures, which are minimal and effortless to compliment warm hues of the Band of Outsiders collection.

 

Dame Louise Ellman MP visits City of Liverpool College

Dame Louise Ellman MP visited The City of Liverpool College’s Duke Street Centre to meet Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT), Elaine Bowker, Principal at the College, and the team that deliver VTCT’s technical qualifications and apprenticeships to learners in Riverside.

During their visit, Dame Louise and Alan discussed the importance of technical education to the UK’s economy, and the crucial role it can play in tackling poverty and deprivation. They also met with a number of learners who are studying for VTCT’s qualifications and apprenticeships in Level 2 Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Barbering, and had the opportunity to watch them in action, testing out their skills in training.

In light of recent revelations by Ofsted that Level 2 service industry courses including beauty and hair were identified by colleges as giving learners the ‘greatest chance’ of progressing into employment, both Dame Louise and Alan had the opportunity to hear first-hand why so many young people are choosing to start a career in this sector, which is a thriving space for young aspirational professionals seeking a long-term career in the industry.

 

Dame Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool, Riverside, said:

“Thanks to VTCT and the staff and learners at The City of Liverpool College for having me today. It was great to look around the College’s hair and beauty training facilities and find out more about how VTCT’s technical qualifications and apprenticeships are upskilling learners in my constituency.

“Providing our young people with high quality education and technical training is crucial to ensuring they have the skills they need to take up new jobs in our economy, to boosting social mobility in areas that have been left behind and to tackling the UK’s marked skills gap.

“The City of Liverpool College is a vital provider of technical education in our city, and I greatly enjoyed the opportunity to speak to learners about their skills and future career aspirations. We must drive a culture shift to promote technical qualifications and apprenticeships as valuable routes into rewarding careers.”

 

Alan Woods OBE, Chief Executive of VTCT, said:

“I was delighted to meet Dame Louise and speak with the learners who are working hard towards completing our technical qualifications and apprenticeships.

“VTCT is leading in the provision of high-quality technical awards and assessments and it was fantastic to demonstrate our hugely valuable work to Dame Louise.

“The Government must lead from the top by promoting the value of technical and vocational education, and by making sure that colleges like The City of Liverpool College, and the employers they works with, are able to fund and accommodate the three-month work placement requirement of the new T Levels.

“This will be crucial in ensuring that the Government’s post-16 Skills Plan achieves its intention of delivering lasting change within our technical education and apprenticeships system.”

 

Elaine Bowker, Principal, The City of Liverpool College, said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome Dame Louise to The City of Liverpool College today to showcase the range of VTCT courses we deliver to learners, helping to ensure they are equipped with the skills they need to pursue their career of choice.

“Providing young people with the opportunity to develop their technical and professional skills, through high-quality qualifications, is essential to helping them achieve their full potential.”