In this industry, Eric Way Lovemore needs no introduction following his stellar career in the hair world. Now, the world-class barber has added another accolade to his belt: Artero’s UK and Northern Ireland Brand Manager.

On top of this new role, he will continue his work as the UK ambassador and global educator role for Artero. Telling us about his new venture, Eric said: “As the Brand Manager, I will grow the brand within my countries, introducing Artero to distributors, academies, barbershop, hairdressing salons, and end users. Artero has laid its foundations securely in the marketplace but now it’s time for the brand to start resonating with everyone and experience this well priced, high quality diverse product range that Artero has to offer.

“Now it will be easier for the brand to have a face in the country for buyers to easily communicate with and for me to bring more opportunities to the brand which is far easier than Artero in Spain trying to do it.”

He added: “When I was introduced to Artero three years ago, I immediately fell in love with the ethos of the brand and the quality of all the products. I realised that the brand was at its infant stages in the UK and Northern Ireland but was a brand that had been established for more than a hundred years and is still run by the same family from the very beginning.

“I wanted to be part of the brands journey and felt that with my passion for the industry I could grow with the brand and help being part of its unprecedented success globally.”

Generation Barber is set to return to Bournemouth on May 20th, 2024. Following the success of the 2023 show, Generation Barber will return bigger and better than before.

Aimed specifically for barbering students, Generation Barber, sponsored by Denman International brings together barbers, students and educators from across the UK for a day filled with education, inspiration and networking.

With education from leading barbering educators and influencers including the Great British Barbering Academy Team, Afro Hair Champion Grim Barber, Andis UK Education Team Lead, Baldy, and the organiser himself, Mike Taylor, this year’s schedule has it all.

For the first time, Generation Barber will also include demonstrations from barbers who started their own businesses in their 20’s. Dubbed the ‘Young Guns’, this performance is the perfect opportunity to inspire the new generation of barbers into thinking not only about their practical skills but also the whole package of what it takes to be a successful barber.

Alongside the incredible line-up, Generation Barber also allows students and barbers to get up close and personal with leading professionals in the Help and Advice Centres, situated in the main hall throughout the day. From advice on how to maintain your clippers to help on how to get that crispy fade, if you have any specific questions that need a more 1:2:1 response, the educators will be there throughout the day to help.

Due to the huge success from last year the Student Competition will also be returning. This is an incredible opportunity for learners currently working towards a formally accredited level 2 or 3 qualification to have a platform to showcase their skills.

There are two categories to choose from; either Classic or Creative, and the first round is judged by photographic entry. Get through to the final and you will see your work showcased around the Generation Barber Hall and on the big screen on stage. However, there can only be one lucky winner from each category who will go on to win a selection of goodies from Generation Barber Student Competition sponsor, Denman International and show supporter, Andis.

Award-winning barber, Yasemin Hassan has announced the launch of Talking Textures. A groundbreaking exhibition which set to illuminate London’s Ugly Duck Venue with its launch on April 12th, 2024. Curated by Yasemin Hassan and captured through the lens of photographer Yeliz Zaifoglu, the photo series dives deep into the intricate relationship between beauty, cultural identity, and the resilient nature of hair, especially within the Southwest Asian & North African (SWANA) communities.

Talking Textures is more than just an exhibition; it’s a movement. Spanning across a series of 26 compelling photographs, a poignant short video, and an engaging panel discussion, the project aims to celebrate, educate, and redefine the cultural significance of textured hair. This initiative seeks to bring to light the challenges, beauty rituals, and the profound connection between hair and cultural identity in SWANA regions.

Yasemin Hassan, an award-winning hairdresser, has emerged as a pivotal figure for individuals with textured hair in London, particularly within the SWANA community. Her extensive experience on high-end fashion shoots and London Fashion Week 2023, coupled with personal conversations within her community, inspired the creation of Talking Textures. Yasemin’s mission is to decolonize perceptions of hair and address the underrepresentation of SWANA identities in the hair industry.

Working closely with Dania Arafeh, founder of 3EIB – a SWANA fashion platform reclaiming the Arabic word 3Eib, meaning ‘shame’ – this project is a reaction to the underlying shame that SWANA individuals often experience from others within their own cultures, as well as what we are taught in the mainstream media about beauty.

The exhibition runs from 12th April at Ugly Duck London, 49 Tanner St, London SE1 3PL.

For more information please visit www.instagram.com/talking_textures_

A study undertaken by RICS last year showed that 4 in 10 men in the UK won’t speak to their families, friends or health professionals if they are struggling with mental health, and shockingly, 75% of suicides in the UK are male.

Local business owner Christie Turner, owner of CT Barbering, has firsthand experience of the impact of untreated men’s mental health issues, having witnessed several male friends and family members’ struggle. Through the therapeutic nature of her conversations with clients, that can range from humorous and uplifting to deep and meaningful, she’s been able to help them through some difficult and challenging times and this motivated her to go further in addressing the stigma surrounding men’s mental wellbeing.

Drawing from her diverse experience in various barber shops, Christie recognises how the traditional barber environment can affect men’s mental health due to the societal attitudes towards male self-care and masculinity. She believes that nurturing the link between looking good and feeling good can make a positive difference.

With over a decade of experience, the business owner appreciates the significant role barbers play as regular touch points in men’s lives, offering a support system outside of family, friends and healthcare providers. Due to the close contact service and regularity of appointments (males in the UK visit a barber every 2.5 weeks on averageiv) she believes this is what helps to build that unique connection.

Utilising mental health mirror decals that encourage men to open up, a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and a range of wellness services including stress-relieving facials tailored to male skin types, the barber and qualified facialist hopes to identify early signs of struggle among her clients, offering them crucial support within the community.

Christie said: ‘The statistics around men’s mental health are devastating and highlight the urgent need for support. As a barber, I’m uniquely positioned in the community and have an opportunity to support them. I aspire to create an environment where men feel safe to express their feelings and share what’s going on in their lives, while promoting the importance of self-care through a range of accessible grooming and wellness services. The mental health support available through the NHS isn’t enough to tackle the epidemic of male suicide rates so I’m taking action to support as many men in my community as I can. Hopefully I can inspire others to do the same.’

You can find Christie at My T Sharp on Newnham Avenue or via her Instagram.