Legendary Sea Cliff, NY barbershop Bart’s has continued to operate, despite plans to close last October.
Owner Joe Mazzeo had announced back in October his plans to close the establishment, with the 78 year old having worked in the shop that his father, Bartolomeo had opened, since the early 1960’s.
Joe Mazzeo
The Coronavirus pandemic, and subsequent lockdown last year actually forced Joe towards ‘a taste’ of retirement ahead of schedule. However he has since reopened, but is still passionate about selling the business to another barber who can take the business on.
Good luck to Joe. Joe is the epitome of what barbers mean to the communities they serve. We salute you Joe!
WE’VE ALL BEEN WISHING AWAY 2020, AND WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT 2021 BRINGS ALL THE THINGS WE MISSED OUT ON LAST YEAR. WE NEED STABILITY, THE RETURN OF CLIENTS TO THE BARBER’S CHAIR, AND UNITY WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
We are delighted to welcome an esteemed barber to our list of columnists, Robert Rix of The Company of Master Barbers in Southport. Robert comes to us with a wealth of experience, and he will forever stick in my mind from an event I attended when BarberEVO was in its infancy. Surrounded by the young, the flashy and the talented, all eyes were drawn to Robert and his traditional values, his outstanding techniques, and his insight into the business. We are honoured to welcome him to the BarberEVO family.
Robert Rix
In this issue we have pulled together a really strong array of opinions on hair trends for 2021. It seems that longer hair is on the way back and the lockdown has forced prolonged hair growth that is here to stay.
We were all saddened to hear of the death of our friend Sam Wall, and we felt it only right to update our readers on the outstanding response that Sam’s friends pulled out the bag in honour of a much-loved guy. Team Sam Wall have been pounding the streets racking up the miles and raising more than £15,000 for charity. We salute you!
Team Sam Wall
We would also like to mark the passing of the legend, Tony Roberts of Just Gents, in Milton Keynes, a grand master barber, and a wonderful character, we send our thoughts to his family and friends.
Back to the content in this issue and we take a look at the benefits of investing in studio time when it comes to putting together a collection. Kevin Luchmun tells us why opening his own studio has been a game changer. We are also able to bring you exclusive behind the scenes coverage of a fantastic day of shooting by Liam Oakes.
Liam Oakes
Finally, we catch up with Luka Chitty about his ongoing Together Create project which encourages you to think local when sourcing a venue for your next shoot.
Enjoy the read, as always, we’ve enjoyed pulling the issue together and we hope you enjoy it too.
Unfortunately, due to the increased levels of transmission of Covid-19 throughout England, more areas have been placed into Tier 4 restrictions, meaning that more barbershops have unfortunately been forced to close as we welcome the new year.
In an announcement made on 30th December, the UK Government Health Secretary Matt Hancock advised that the entire South-East, large parts of the Midlands, North-East and South West would move into the higher Tier, thus forcing closure of all close contact service businesses.
The full list of locations in Tier 4 can be located here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/full-list-of-local-restriction-tiers-by-area
We hope everyone in the affected areas stays safe and hopefully can successfully return to work and reopen their businesses as soon as possible.
A barber from Giffnock, Scotland, went above and beyond for his clients, by opening his shop on Christmas Day.
Tony Mann’s Barber Shop opened up on December 25th, in order to provide clients the opportunity to get a haircut, prior to the impending Scotland-wide lockdown, which meant that all barbershops would require to close as of Boxing Day.
Owner Tony Mann commented, “I wanted to ensure all my loyal customers looked sharp for the next three weeks,” he said. “They have been good to us since we reopened earlier this year, so it’s one way for me to give back. Christmas Day was really the last day that they can get a haircut. We had a lot of people coming in – those who celebrate Christmas and those who don’t. It was humbling to see them before we shut.”
All barbershops in Scotland have now closed due to the ongoing Covid restrictions, with a minimum closure period of three weeks, subject to review in due course.
Following a recent spike in Covid-19 infection rates, the Prime Minister has announced a new ‘Tier 4’ for London and parts of the South East and the East of England.
This will come into force from Sunday 20th December.
Barbershops, salons and beauty parlours can continue to stay open in all Tiers 1-3 elsewhere in England.
In Northern Ireland, all close contact businesses must close on Boxing Day – for what will be a 6-week long lockdown, subject to a review after 4-weeks.
In Wales, all close contact businesses will shut on December 19th as part of a level 4 lockdown which will be reviewed in three weeks.
In Scotland, all beauty salons, hairdressers and barbers must close for three weeks from Boxing Day.
These are concerning times for all barbershops and beauty salons throughout the UK, our thoughts are with each and every one of you at this difficult and challenging time.
Without question one of our most random news stories in 2020, is that McDonald’s in Sweden have opened a barbershop offering one specific cut, the 90’s inspired ‘Golden M’ haircut.
We know it’s a bit of an advertising stunt with a difference, as the so called ‘Golden M’ haircut is essentially a center part, or ‘curtains’ as our team knew from the 90’s… but McDonald’s Sweden allege that the cut is similar to the fast food chain’s famous Golden Arches logo. Who are we to disagree?
Influencer hairstylist Adam Lukacs provided virtual haircut lessons to those fortunate enough to book in digital appointments. Ensuring that ‘clients’ can confirm that they do indeed have the ‘Golden M’ haircut perfected.
Those who took a virtual session, were not only treated to some 90’s inspired haircut lessons, but also, and perhaps most importantly, were treated to a complimentary Big Mac – should their haircuts pass the McDonald’s Golden M Detector digital app.
The Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) have appointed a new Chair and Vice-Chair for their board of trustees.
Jenny Sworder is the new Chair, following 7 years as a trustee on the board and also previously being the Vice-Chair. Jenny has extensive experience in the Beauty and Retail Industry (over 20 years) with the likes of Fenwick’s stores, the Fragrance Foundation UK and the Cosmetics Executive Women UK.
She takes over from Professor Dr Chris Laws, who is retiring after 10 dedicated years of voluntary service as both a trustee and Chair to VTCT.
On taking up the new role, Jenny said, “I am delighted to take forward the great work that Chris has done for VTCT, over the past ten years. During this time he has helped to steer VTCT to being the wonderful organisation it is today. I look forward to further building upon this and tackling the new challenges within vocational and technical education, ensuring that learners remain at the heart of what we do as a modern and progressive Awarding Organisation.”
Jenny will be joined by Isabel Sutcliffe, the new Vice-Chair of VTCT. We wish them both the very best of luck in the new roles!
Despite the ongoing pandemic causing many high street businesses to close their doors, MR. Barbers has continued to grow from strength to strength. MR. Barbers new finance package offers existing barbershops a complete rebrand and refurbishment package with no upfront fee and monthly repayments of under £300 per month.
This is creating opportunities for barbershops that are struggling to make headway, to come onboard with the MR. family and start afresh. With ongoing support, a brand-new shop fit including chairs, as well as a website, booking app and marketing and social media presence, they do all the hard work to get your shop the recognition and presence it deserves.
Of course, the virus has had its impact on the brand, but the company has looked to set itself apart from the competition by making it the safest place in each town to get your hair cut. With a strict COVID hygiene policies and staff training in place, every haircut continues to reach the high standards expected with the business, whilst delivering it in a completely safe way.
MR. Barbers have three more shops opening over the next 2 months. Shop number 29, MR. Halesowen is opening its doors on December the 5th, shortly followed by MR. Woodbridge opening on the 7th of December. MR. Huntingdon will follow closely behind opening early in the New Year.
The effects of the pandemic are not just physical, people are struggling, and times are hard. MR. Barbers Halesowen is donating all proceeds from their grand opening on December 12th to the Black Country Foodbank. At a time like this, it is now more important than ever to give back to those in need.
In 2019/20 approximately 1.9 million people have used a foodbank in the United Kingdom, around 300,000 more than the previous year. If this wasn’t enough of a strain, new analytics have forecasted a 61% increase in the use of foodbanks in October to December alone. The pressure on foodbanks is immense. Black Country Foodbank is a local charity to Halesowen that helps vulnerable individuals and families in crisis. They provide people with 3 days’ worth of emergency food supplies while a longer solution is developed. This service provides relief and help to those in need at a very difficult time.
British Master Barbers, the alliance created to help qualified and highly skilled barbers across the UK showcase their talent, has selected and announced their finalists for the 2020 Barber of the Year award. There were 118 entrants, whittled down to a final 10 – and the judges will have a very difficult decision to make!
The finalists are: Allan Stone, Baldy, Corneliu Crihan, David Logue, Grant Hackett, Lee Dixon, Mercedes Paginton, Paul Mac, Sarrelle McCann and Shaun Buckingham.
We wish every finalist the very bets of luck for this prestigious competition!
There is some much-needed light relief to be had with Fudge Professional’s second social media miniseries called ‘In Near the Chair’. The YouTube show is hosted by Fudge Professional Global Brand Ambassador, Jonathan Andrews, and the series was created to explore the relationship between a hairdresser and their client.
“Our first episode with Jamie Laing was a great success and when we launched it at the beginning of lockdown, it went down really well. This episode is continuing the theme about the hairdresser and client relationship and once you sit down in that chair, all caution is out the window, and you end up spilling all your secrets, hopes, fears and dreams to the stylist through the mirror in front of you. This time, I’m cutting the hair of TOWIE legend, Pete Wicks and once again, creating excellent TV watching,” explains Jonathan.
The Fudge Professional series of ‘In the Chair’ is all about putting famous faces in the hot seat and asking the questions the public wants to know the answers to – this time Pete Wicks is the man in the chair. “Pete is renowned for his long hair. He hadn’t had it cut for 10 months and it wasn’t really his crowning glory anymore. It was definitely time to tackle it with the scissors,” continues Jonathan.
Creating that tousled look that Pete wears so well takes a little bit of work using the right products to create the natural style that he loves. This was the perfect time for Jonathan to explain to Pete exactly how to use Fudge Professional products in the right way to keep his hair in great condition and sitting exactly how he likes it both during the day and into the evening.
The 20-minute filmed interview was shot in Covid secure conditions that meant not only did the guys don full PPE (Pete was not chuffed with the hazmat suit), but Pete was encouraged to style his own hair using Fudge Professional products. The interview is brilliant viewing with lots of focus on Pete’s serial dating love life, a nod to his new knee-high cowboy boots, his number one fan (spoiler alert… it’s his Mum) how his long hair was a fingers up to those telling him his hair was receding, and that social media haters don’t phase him one bit.
As part of the new ‘Fudge the Rules’ brand ethos, where whatever the world does, Fudge does differently, Pete certainly steps up to the plate with his chequered past and workaholic mindset. “Pete was so easy to chat to, and it was great he was up for a real hair change. I took off six inches and it took him back to his early days on TOWIE, even he admitted the health and feel of his hair was so much better. He dubbed it Preppy Pete! Due to social distancing and filming, plus Pete’s admittance he has no clue how to style his hair, I decided to get Pete to do his own styling, so he knew how to do it at home. We worked with his favourite Fudge Professional Salt Spray and I also introduced him to the new Fudge Professional Matte Hed Mouldable to work with his natural curls and texture,” says Jonathan.
The last word went to Pete in the video: “I’ll be honest, when I came in this morning, I wasn’t feeling too chirpy. I didn’t really trust you (Jonathan) and then you put me in a hazmat suit! It was all looking like a car crash. I’m now sitting here, and I’ve got the perfect hair, using the perfect product, with the perfect hairdresser.” You can’t ask for more than that.
