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.

Andis supports barber Daniel Rymer as he reaches Kilimanjaro summit to raise £100k for homeless charity, Caring For Bristol.

The effects of Covid-19 and its impact on the mental and business health of barbers all over the UK, and indeed beyond, cannot be understated or overestimated. And, like many barbers, Andis ambassador Daniel Rymer struggled to adapt as the doors to his barbershop closed, and he found himself at home contemplating what the future would hold for his career, his team and himself on a personal level. 

An inner strength to bring about positive change

That said, adversity can often reveal an inner strength and self-determination that drives people to achieve extraordinary things and, as Daniel says, this is what motivated him to accomplish such an amazing feat, with the help and support of Andis. “I found it hard to deal with lockdown and, despite what people say in public, many barbers and local businesses I spoke to were all feeling the same. When you’re not in the shop you become disconnected from the thing you’re most passionate about, and the people who share that passion; you lose your sense of purpose. The financial impacts compounded matters with the loss of income and trying to keep the business going with loans and costs. It was a worrying time and I felt I needed to do something positive for me, but also for other people.”

To overcome his predicament and fulfil his need to get away from his situation, Daniel hit upon the idea of scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro to not only address his own mental health challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, but also to help others in the process. “I wanted to achieve something positive, challenge myself to do something I’d never done before, and raise money for people dealing with homelessness and hopelessness. I decided to raise money for Caring in Bristol – a local charity whose vision is to create a city that’s empowered to solve homelessness as, despite everything, I felt I could do more for disadvantaged people. This is when Andis stepped in to offer their support.”

A passion for barbering meets ambition

Combining this personal feat with his passion for barbering, Daniel set about assembling a team to reach Mt. Kilimanjaro’s summit and undertake the highest haircut on record. With a collective of likeminded business owners from his area, and expert porters, Daniel embarked on a gruelling ten-day ascent to the 5,895m summit, which saw him coping with altitude sickness, blisters and acute tiredness. 

“It was very challenging with six days on the mountain. It took three days to get to base camp and we reached the summit on day four. The views were spectacular and it was a massive achievement for me and the whole team. Equipped with my Andis tools, cape and branded clothing, I performed haircuts on the mountain, which was an unbelievable experience and great for bonding everyone together on our shared mission.”

Care. Climb. Kilimanjaro. 

£100,000 raised, and time to reinvent his brand

Initially intending to raise £6,000 individually, a target which he has exceeded, the team’s efforts have now surpassed £100,000, and this achievement motivated Daniel to emerge even stronger. Giving him the time and space away from his business, he returned to the UK refreshed and reenergised with a new model in mind. “I’ve now rebranded my business to ‘Rythm Barbering’. Unlike before, this is a community hub that offers a safe, cool and creative space for independent barbers, as well as empowering self-employed beauty professionals, nail technicians and other creatives to thrive.”

Thanking Andis for their support, Daniel points to the range of tools, accessories and encouragement offered by the brand. “Andis has been amazing. They provided warm weather gear and a wide range of tools that enabled me to work throughout the trip, and on the mountain. Two of the tools I took on my trip were the Andis Galaxy Clipper and Trimmer. They are powerful and precise but also extremely lightweight – and that matters when you have heavy gear strapped to your back! I even gifted some tools to one of the porters, who happened to be a barber, so he can better support his family, so it’s been an enriching experience in so many ways.”

Named ‘Care. Climb. Kilimanjaro.’ Daniel has documented his trip and, as he concludes, this is both the “best and worst thing” he’s ever done. “It was an incredible journey, but it was gruelling, and it tested my resolve to the limit. But I’m so proud of what we achieved, and I look forward to continuing to receive donations in support of this worthy cause.” 

Donate to Daniel at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/danielrymerhair

For information on Caring in Bristol, visit https://caringinbristol.co.uk/

Visit Rythm here: https://rythmhair.com/

For information on Andis visit https://andis.com/

The latest issue of BarberEVO UK & Ireland is OUT NOW.    Get your copy here! 

Step into Spring

The latest issue of BarberEVO UK & Ireland is OUT NOW! Our second issue of 2024 is one you won’t want to miss. Inside, you’ll find exclusive interviews and features focusing on creativity, sustainability, business and retail tips as well as our brand-new column with Hairgound’s Live podcaster Simon Butcher. We showcase the best up-and-coming barbershops in London, as well as a stunning EVO abroad location in Tennessee; and much more inside.  

Cover Star: Charles Gray 

Founder of Hair in Motion and barbering legend Charles Gray needs no introduction, but in this issue, we highlight his career from young apprentice to heavyweight educator and entrepreneur. Charles reflects on starting his apprenticeship aged 18, to now being expert educator with Hair in Motion, co-founder of Leaf Signature Styling, and creative director at Leaf Scissors. We discuss all this and more with Charles in the latest unmissable issue.

Staying Creative      

In this issue, we are focusing on the best ways to stay creative as a barber, speaking to experts in the industry and highlighting the tools and skills necessary. We speak to creative expert and educator Alessandro Barca about his best tips, and tools he recommends for barbers to stay on the pulse of trends. While highlighting collections and advice on embracing individual techniques and finding a creative niche from Hayden Cassidy, Fede Damiani, Darren Heywood Kenny, Ex The Barber and Charlie Cullen. 

Sustainability   

With Earth Day 2024 approaching, we want to shine a light on the barbers, businesses and brands doing their bit to protect the environment. We speak to Brighton-based duo Ally Papworth and Dan Hall at The Tin Can Barbershop on their sustainable shop built in a shipping container, as well as columnist Carlie Cardle sharing sustainable insight to fellow business owners.  

Product Focus: Aftercare 

In this industry, barbers are spoiled for choice with the best and most exciting aftercare products for clients. We showcase speak to Matakki director Emma Curd about how their scissor brand has a unique function helping barbers avoid repetitive straining, as well as focusing on new releases like; Artero’s latest clipper, The Brooklyn; Wahl Professional’s Hi-Viz Trimmer, 5 Star Cordless Detailer Li, and the latest A-Lign Trimmer.  

Business   

Looking for the next way to expand your business? Focus on retail. Teaming up with Morgan’s Pomade, Kevin Vorley tells us about his tour to improve retail offerings in barbershops. While columnist Mark Maciver from SliderCuts Studio shares his advice to business owners and self-employed barbers about all thing’s insurance, with helpful tips about everything you need to know.  

We hope you enjoy this issue! You can order your print copy here. 

 

A safe space to pop your feet up, offload, and have a chat.

Lister have teamed up with parent company Wahl to create a pop-up barbershop at The Royal Highland Show to help raise awareness around mental health in agriculture.

Take a load off. A safe space to pop your feet up, offload, and have a chat. Mental health in the agricultural industry is something that doesn’t get talked about enough. With 92% of UK farmers under the age of 40 ranking their mental health as being poor, it is a hidden problem that we need to talk about.

The pop-up barbershop will be open from Friday the 23rd to Sunday the 25th near the Shearing Pavilion at The Royal Highland Show. Providing visitors with the opportunity to get a fresh hair cut by a professional barber, the campaign will be raising money for The DPJ Foundation and the RSABI, both mental health charities within the agricultural industry.

Attracting over 190,000 visitors each year, this year’s Royal Highland Show will be hosting the Shearing World Championships, seeing shearers and enthusiasts travelling from all around the world to support the competition. Creating this safe space at the event is crucial for those who may want to take a moment to relax and just chat in a safe space.

Martin Booth, Head of Sales and Commercial at Lister, said, “Partnering up with Wahl and offering a service, such as barbering, that can sometimes be difficult to arrange when travelling and working long hours is an important step in our mission to supporting mental health within agriculture. It is vital to raise awareness on this issue the industry is facing and ensure individuals who work in the rural community get access to the support and resources available.”

Lloyd Rees, shearer and Lister ambassador, said, “Many people working in farming and agriculture often feel isolated and distanced from the wider communities. This can have a big impact on their mental health, and without the proper resources and support to hand, can often spiral into something bigger”.

Kate Miles, Charity Manager of the DPJ Foundation, said, “We are really pleased and grateful that Lister have taken the lead with the Take a Load Off initiative to provide an opportunity to promote good mental health in agriculture, the power of taking time and talking. The eyes of the shearing world will be on the Golden Shears so it’s a brilliant chance to raise awareness.”

Fresha, the world’s leading marketplace and booking software for the beauty and wellness industry, is excited to announce its recent partnership with London’s premier barbershop, Huckle The Barber. 

This collaboration will streamline appointment bookings, payment processing, and overall customer experience, allowing Huckle The Barber to continue to set trends and cater to an expanding audience of tastemakers across multiple industries.

With locations in Shoreditch and Holborn, Huckle The Barber is synonymous with unparalleled quality, expert barbers, and impeccable hospitality. The barbershop’s commitment to the perfect blend of tradition and innovation has earned them a stellar reputation within the creative communities of London. With a clear vision of creating a welcoming cultural hub for people to enjoy, Huckle The Barber transcends grooming services to provide a home to live music, creative collaborations, and art exhibitions.

To further elevate the customer experience, Huckle The Barber’s integration of Fresha will provide an all-in-one platform for seamless online appointment booking and management, secure card payment processing, and customer relationship management. The easy-to-use interface and integrated marketing, staffing, inventory, and accounting automation will help ensure Huckle The Barber remains at the forefront of the industry.

Fresha, formerly Shedul, has transformed the beauty and wellness industry by offering subscription-free, all-in-one business software to over 80,000 partner venues across 120 countries. The platform has quickly become the go-to solution for businesses seeking to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience.

“Working Fresha into our business is going to make my life, and my barbers’ lives, so much easier,” says owner Chris Ward. ”The peace of mind I get knowing Fresha is supporting my business is invaluable, and it allows me to focus on curating the best experience for my clients.”

You can find Huckle The Barber on the Fresha marketplace at fresha.com or by downloading the Fresha app on the App Store or Google Play. Please see attached for an image of Chris, as well.

About Huckle The Barber
Established in the heart of Shoreditch and Holborn, Huckle The Barber offers a unique blend of traditional services and modern hospitality. Known for its welcoming environment and skilled team of barbers, Huckle The Barber provides exceptional haircuts, beard trims, and hot towel shaves. For more information, visit www.hucklethebarber.com or follow Huckle The Barber on Facebook and Instagram.

About Fresha
Fresha is the world’s #1 beauty and wellness marketplace powered by all-in-one free business software with integrated payments. With over 80,000 partner venues in more than 120 countries, Fresha simplifies business operations and enhances customer experiences. To learn more, visit .fresha.com, download Fresha on the App Store and Google Play, or follow Fresha on Facebook and Instagram.

Time is running out to enter, don’t miss out!

This is your last chance to enter the WAHL British Barber/Barbershop of the Year 2023. Supercharge your reputation within the barbering industry and enter today.

For the chance to WIN:

• WAHL tool prize bundle worth over £1,000

• A year of free mentoring from WAHL Global Artistic Director, Simon Shaw and his team

• The prospect to join WAHL UK on stage at shows throughout the year 

• The chance to land a lucrative spot on the Wahl Artistic Team

It only takes a few clicks to enter. Good luck!

Charlie Baker, Wahl Barber of the Year 2022 shares his top tips on how to make your application stand out…

WAHL are excited to be sponsoring the Battle of the Barbers at Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE. We are passionate about providing the finest equipment for barbering, so look forward to seeing the best UK barbers battle it out on stage for the chance to be crowned the best Barber in the UK.

An untouchable lineup of skilled barbers wanting to take their careers to the next level will have the opportunity to do just that on the 29th of May 2023! Held at the biggest Afro exhibition in Europe, Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE, 10 sharp barbers will be battling their skills for the incredible prizes and prestigious ‘Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE Barber Stylist of the Year’ winning title.

The winner will receive the Afro Hair & Beauty LIVE Battle of the Barbers trophy as well as:

• The brand-new WAHL 5 Star Gold Cordless Magic clip, Gold Cordless Detailer and Vanish Shaver worth up to £500
• An incredible £1000 CASH prize
• Exposure that can boost your business and profile, taking it to the next levelIt doesn’t stop at first place, those taking second, and third places will also get a trophy and bundle of premium WAHL products.We are expecting to see an electric crowd surrounding the main stage at 2pm, come and see who will be crowned 2023’s winner!

About Wahl

When Leo Wahl invented the first electric hair clipper in 1919, he didn’t just revolutionise an industry. He created one.What started as one man’s brilliant, innovative idea in America’s heartland is now the worldwide standard for barbers and hairdressers.All Wahl products are designed with professional barbers and hairdressers in mind. We aim to provide powerful and durable products that are the very best quality on the market. Our extensive portfolio of clippers, trimmers and styling products has been created to offer each professional, regardless of experience or regularity of use, products that perfectly suit their needs.

Despite the challenging economic climate with double-digit inflation, the latest National Hair & Beauty Federation (NHBF) quarterly survey demonstrates a return by the industry to a positivity that we previously saw in spring/summer 2022. 

More businesses report making a small or good profit (43%); 38% of businesses are breaking even, with fewer businesses (19%) making a small or substantial loss.

The general trend towards increasing prices is slowing. Over the previous three months, 64% of businesses raised their prices. A further 51% will do so over the next three months.

Energy costs are still at the top of business concerns in terms of impact of the business (80%). The NHBF has already presented the detail of these findings to Ofgem the regulator to feed into their review of the non-domestic energy market and report to government in the summer.

The increased cost of trade supplies and increases to National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage (NMW/NLW) are the next two major concerns for business owners. In response, they are removing non-essential expenditure, increasing prices and continuing to hold off taking on staff/apprentices – 23% have cut back on apprentices and similar to the autumn, only 15% (up from 9% in January) were definitely or likely to take on apprentices in the next three months.

However, 21% of respondents were definitely or likely to take on new staff in the next three months, up from 15% in January. 

Reliance on external support has eased back to levels seen in spring/summer 2022; now only over half of businesses (58%) are either partially or completely reliant on Government support – down from 71% in January.

Business survival expectations have improved and are in line with more positive outlook seen in July 2022. Two thirds (64%, up from 49% in January) are now confident of their survival. Nevertheless, the number of businesses who are not sure whether they will survive over the next six months until September 2023 is still significant at a third.

Richard Lambert, Chief Executive of the NHBF said: “Overall, this latest NHBF State of the Industry survey is showing a more positive feeling in general and improvement for most of the industry.

“Hopefully, the announcement of a rise in funding for the apprenticeship standards will encourage more employers to change their mind about recruiting junior staff, and we will start to see more young people come into the industry – plus this will help businesses to grow.

“As an organisation, we will continue to use this vital information to help inform our work with government for their planning on issues that directly affect our industry.”

@nhbfsocial // NHBF

Barbers set to compete for coveted titles in 3 live competitions at the UK’s premier barbering event. 

World leading manufacturer of barbering, styling and grooming tools, Andis remains at the forefront of innovation and education and is the main sponsor of Barber Connect, which takes place at the International Centre, Telford on June 11-12. This year Andis will debut Battle Royale – a new barbering competition format designed celebrate originality, technical precision and creativity.  

With three categories; ANDIS Creative Freestyle Barbering, ANDIS Fastest Fade and ANDIS Student Barbering, the competitions will bring together the most talented barbers from around the world to showcase their skills and creativity, and compete against each other to win in their chosen category.

“Ultimately, Battle Royale is an exciting and dynamic event that celebrates the artistry and skill of barbers,” says Andis International Artistic Team Lead, Kevin Luchmun. “It provides a platform for barbers to showcase their talents, connect with other professionals in the industry, and push themselves to reach new heights of creativity and excellence. We’re so excited about presenting this competition on our impressive stage at Barber Connect.”

Judged by a panel of leading industry experts, including Andis International Artistic Team Lead Kevin Luchmun, Andis UK Education Team Lead Baldy and Andis International Platform Artist Hayden Cassidy, each contestant’s work will be closely evaluated based on criteria such as technique, style, and overall presentation. 

Joined by judges Joseph Goss from Rum Barber, Andis Educator Sid Sottung and Bonds Barbershop owner and educator Mike Taylor, the winners will receive a range of prizes, including Andis tools, a cash prize and the opportunity to be featured on Andis Social Media channels. The competition is a highly respected and sought-after accolade, and winning will be considered a significant achievement in the industry. All contestants will receive and Andis tool assortment values at £500, just for competing.

Competition schedule, entry costs and prizes:

Day: Sunday 1pm-3pm

Category: ANDIS Creative Freestyle Barbering (30 mins cutting time)

Entry fee: £100

Day: Sunday 3.30pm-5pm

Category: ANDIS Fastest Fade (15 mins cutting time)

Entry fee: £100

Prizes for Creative Freestyle Barbering and Fastest Fade categories

1st Place: £500, beSPOKE Trimmer, post on Andis IG

2nd Place: Black reVITE Clipper and taper blade, plus a post on Andis Instagram

3rd Place: Grey reVITE Clipper and fade blade, plus a post on Andis Instagram

Day: Monday 10:30am-12:30pm

Category: ANDIS Student Barbering (30 mins cutting time)

Entry fee: £60

Prizes for ANDIS Student Barbering category

1st Place: £250, beSPOKE Trimmer, plus a post on Andis Instagram

2nd Place: Black reVITE Clipper and taper blade, plus a post on Andis Instagram

3rd Place: Grey reVITE Clipper and fade blade, plus a post on Andis Instagram

TO ENTER

To enter the competition please visit https://www.stylingproductsuk.co.uk/andis-battle-royale-i421 

Competitions are limited 8 competitors for each event

To keep up with Andis® Company, follow them on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.