ANDIS DEBUTS NEW RETRO REVIVAL STYLE COLLECTION FEATURING KEVIN LUCHMUN 

AS PART OF THE LATEST ANDIS CREATOR SERIES PROJECT, ANDIS’ INTERNATIONAL ARTISTIC TEAM LEAD, KEVIN LUCHMUN, STUNS WITH A COLLECTION OF ROCKSTAR STYLES FEATURING THE NEWEST LOOKS  

 Andis® Company’s International Artistic Lead, Kevin Luchmun, premiered his Retro Revival collection at BarberCon in Dallas, Texas. After months in development, Kevin’s newest styles debuted to incredible fanfare.

Presenting six unique cuts to round out this collection, these styles are modeled on multiple genders and feature several hair textures and popping colors to complement the edgy elements of nostalgia. As a part of the Andis Company, Luchmun crafted his looks with Andis professional tool line, with a strong reliance on the reSURGE Shaverand the reVITE Clipper.

After 6 months of planning, Kevin’s looks are not only emblematic of his incredible skill but of the elite-level performance of Andis products. As Andis’ International Artistic Lead, Kevin viewed this as an opportunity to not only drive innovation in the styling sphere but to demonstrate the versatility of Andis’ cordless lineup of clippers, trimmers, shavers and accessories.“My goal here was to take the inspiration that’s constantly available to us from fashion to social media, to our day-to-day lives and to create a collection that would totally cut through that noise. But, rather than building on contemporary trends, it was my intention to reinvent retro and older styles from the ground up.

With the help of my incredible creative team and my Andis partnership, I feel that this collection is the start of a complete reset for my own work and the barbering industry as a whole,” said Luchmun. As both barber and creative director, Luchmun worked closely with a team of stylists to craft clothing profiles that were able to complement the hair as much as the hair complemented the clothes. Directing his videography team with incredible precision, each angle of these cuts has been artfully captured in exceptional detail. In combination with Kevin’s own photography, this collection sets a new standard for barbering innovation. 

The six Retro Revival looks featured in this new collection were built to highlight the texture and color of each model’s hair, creating custom but easily replicable looks. The styles include:

Sculpted Tapered Afro

This style combines the natural volume and texture of an afro with a precise and gradual taper on the sides and back.  The hair is carefully shaped and sculpted to maintain a rounded silhouette, while the low taper provides a clean and polished look.  This creates a harmonious balance between the shape’s fullness and the well-defined lines of a taper, resulting in a stylish and sophisticated look. 

 Wave Fusion Mullet

A modern Mullet hairstyle with blonde hair, styled with its natural wavy texture and enhanced by a taper fade on the sides.  This trendy and versatile look has the retro appeal of the mullet with a contemporary twist. 

Sharp Edge Undercut Bob

This style is a precision bob hairstyle with an undercut at the back.  This edgy and modern look combines the sleekness of a classic bob with a bold twist.  The precision bob frames the face with clean lines and a sharply defined fringe.  At the back, the undercut is incorporated to remove weight and create movement throughout the shape. 

Tender Flow Mullet

This style is a soft, textured mullet hairstyle that gives a gentler look by maintaining length while still removing weight around the parietal ridge.  The underneath is connected to the top with soft waves and natural texture. 

90s Retro Rise

This style is a high-top hairstyle with a tapered fade that pays homage to the iconic trends of the 90s.  This classic yet contemporary hairstyle features a voluminous and structured high top, reminiscent of bold and gravity-defying vintage styles, embracing nostalgia while maintaining a fresh and fashionable aesthetic.

Rugged Edge

This Rugged Edge style combines elements of shorter internal lengths with textured layers and longer fringe for added flair. Using clippers to create texture through slide cutting, the layers play a significant role in adding dimension and movement to the style.  

Videos and photographs of Andis’ Retro Revival collection feat. Kevin Luchmun are available to view on the Creator Series Section of the Andis website.

  To keep up to date with Kevin’s work follow him on Instagram. To learn more about Andis® Company, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. 

Wahl Professional® launches new on-demand education platform to be a hub of knowledge and connection for the barber and stylist community around the world  The on-demand education platform will bring professionals from around the world together online to enhance their skills, stay current, and share knowledge with their peers that will elevate their craft.   Advancing education for stylists and barbers worldwide has always been a top priority for Wahl Professional, the leader in professional and home grooming electric hair clippers, trimmers and shavers. After over 104 years as an iconic and respected brand, Wahl continues to adapt and evolve for the benefit of the industry by introducing a cutting-edge global on-demand education platform allowing for continuing education, career advancement, and community building among barbers and stylists of all skill levels. Education is a crucial part of Wahl Professional’s brand identity, having opened The Wahl Barber Academy, offered the Wahl Fade It Forward® scholarship program, and held countless live educational events. However, in this increasingly on-demand and globalized world, Wahl felt it was time to create a platform for learning that could be accessed by professionals anytime, anywhere, and at their own pace. Wahl’s new platform offers barbers and stylists a vast library of educational videos that teach basic skills as well as cutting edge trends. The platform will also feature monthly ‘Lives,’ where instructors from all over the world will offer demonstrations to the global audience. In addition to the library of educational content, the state of the art on-demand education platform will be a place where professionals can access details about in-person global events and sign-up information, as well as information about Wahl, its products, and its list of Global Educators. If professionals want to attend a Wahl course, such as the Future Maker Classes but don’t have the ability to travel to attend in person, they can also pay to experience these classes through the platform as ‘Premium Content.’Stephanie Polansky, Wahl’s Director of Global Education, was especially excited about the gamification and badge features of the new platform. As barbers and stylists make their way through the courses on the platform, they can track and celebrate their progress by receiving badges for more videos watched. Stephanie said: “Professionals can share their badges and accomplishments on social media to show their clientele that they are continually investing in education and enhancing their skills.” Building a cohesive community of hair professionals around the world is what Garrett McGuire, Wahl’s Global Brand Director, is most passionate about. “The on-demand education platform is intended to be an online gathering space in addition to being a world-class educational platform. Wahl’s goal is to advance the industry and bring professionals together to share knowledge and connect with others who share their love of the craft. It’s our hope that the Wahl on-demand education platform sets the standard for online barbering education just as Wahl has set the standard for electric hair tools for over 100 years.” To register for the Wahl on-demand education platform, visit https://education.wahlglobal.com/learn

Fresha, the #1 booking platform and marketplace for beauty and wellness, has optimised their online booking system to intelligently prevent gaps between appointments, and ensure back-to-back bookings. It’s a simple yet powerful way for beauty and wellness businesses to maximise efficiency and create more availability every day. The feature addresses a widespread issue in the industry: unbookable calendar gaps cost businesses hours of availability each week. With this new feature, Fresha users are already seeing a 44% increase in occupancy. 

Powered by an algorithm built from scratch by Fresha’s engineers, the smart scheduling feature helps businesses earn more every day without costing them anything, while continuing to provide clients with the best online booking experience in the industry. It builds on Fresha’s position as the most innovative, value-rich booking platform for beauty and wellness. 

Seamlessly integrating with the rest of Fresha’s appointment management tools, the new feature:

• Takes zero effort to use. Users can switch it on with a single click. 
• Gives users full control, with the ability to automatically reduce calendar gaps based on their schedule, or eliminate them completely.
• Optimises bookings from all sources, including bookings through a business’s website, Google Search and Maps, social media, or the Fresha marketplace. 

Early feedback from Fresha’s users has been overwhelmingly positive. “This is a dream feature of mine,” said Chris Ward, founder of London-based barbershop Huckle The Barber. “Gaps between bookings cost us hours each week, and no client wants to get a phone call asking to move their appointment. Fresha lets us avoid those awkward gaps and serve even more clients every day – it’s a game-changer.”

• 

Jeremy Miller, Head of Product at Fresha, highlighted the significance of this feature for the industry. “Calendar gaps have been a painful, costly issue for beauty and wellness businesses for years. With smart scheduling, those days are over; the feature sets a whole new standard for online booking.”

“With more availability every day, businesses with Fresha are set to grow faster than ever,” added Nick Miller, Fresha co-founder and Chief of Product. “Every feature we create is aligned with our goal of offering unmatched value and empowering beauty and wellness businesses worldwide. No other platform offers features as powerful or easy-to-use as ours – all for no subscription.”

THE 2024 NORTH AMERICAN HAIRSTYLING AWARDS (NAHA) ENTRY PERIOD CLOSES SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

For the first time ever, the finalist announcement will be made LIVE at Premiere Anaheim in February

The Professional Beauty Association (PBA), whose mission is to advocate and fight for the rights and professionalism of the beauty industry, is excited to announce that entry is open for the 35th North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) now through September 21, 2023. NAHA is the most prestigious hair and beauty competition in North America, recognizing the industry’s top talent and creative visionaries.

The finalist announcement will take place LIVE at Premiere Anaheim February 4th on the Mainstage at the Anaheim Convention Center. This event is the perfect opportunity for industry professionals to come together and celebrate the best in the business.

“We are thrilled for the live, in-person finalist announcement at Premiere Anaheim in February,” said Nina Daily, Executive Director of PBA. “NAHA is a platform for artists to showcase their creativity and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the beauty industry. We can’t wait to see what this year’s entrants have in store for us.”

NAHA is not just a competition but a celebration of the artistry and creativity of hairstylists and makeup artists. Previous NAHA winners include esteemed industry professionals like Sam Villa, Michelle O’Connor, Jalia Pettis, and Nick Stenson. These artists have not only won the coveted NAHA award but are leaders in the industry, inspiring and mentoring the next generation of hairstylists and makeup artists.

Sam Villa, a three-time NAHA winner, is a renowned educator and mentor in the industry. He has worked with top brands and has been featured in numerous publications. Michelle O’Connor, a two-time NAHA winner, is a global artistic director for Matrix and has worked with celebrities like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. Jalia Pettis, a NAHA winner in the Makeup category, is known for her work in film and editorial makeup. Nick Stenson, a NAHA winner in the Styling & Finishing category, is a celebrity hairstylist and the artistic director for Ulta Beauty.

Key dates for NAHA 2022 are as follows:

● Entry Deadline: September 21, 2023

● Finalist Announcement: February 4, 2024– live at Premiere Anaheim and livestreamed 

● NAHA 2024 Award Ceremony: June 2, 2024—Orlando

Categories for the 35th Annual North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) are as follows:

●  Avant Garde

●  Barber of the Year

●  Editorial Stylist of the Year

●  Educator of the Year

●  Haircolor

●  Haircutting

●  Hairstylist of the Year

●  Inspiring Salon of the Year

●  Makeup Artist of the Year

●  Master Hairstylist of the Year

●  Student Hairstylist of the Year

●  Styling & Finishing

●  Team of the Year

● Texture

Entrants for all categories must be licensed cosmetologists or barbers, with the exceptions of Student Hairstylist of the Year, Makeup Artist of the Year and Inspiring Salon of the Year.

Information on tickets and hotels is coming soon. For more information, please click here. If you haven’t already entered, now is the time to do so. 

Don’t miss your chance to berecognized as one of the best in the industry. 

Hurry and enter today!

Nikodem Szulc (@nikodemszulcbarber), ambassador for Matakki Scissors (@matakkiscissors), competed for a Guinness World Record – and succeeded! 

He and his team cut the most consecutive haircuts in eight hours – that’s 467 heads! We spoke to the winning barber about what it took to achieve such a huge achievement…

Q: Tell us about the lead-up to the Guinnes Record – what motivated you to try and break the record?

A: My motivation was like ‘Hey, it’s a world record; it’s something special. How many people do you know who did this? Nobody – so you must do it!’ It was a week after we come back from Barber Connect and first, I wanted a break, but then I thought, ‘NO, let’s do it while we’re on the ball!’ 

Q: How did it feel when you achieved this record?

A: We were waiting about 10 months for the official confirmation from Guinness, because of some little problems about the video and few others so it was especially anticipated, and it was like ‘Wow, we did this; I’m the one of 20 who broke the world record it’s amazing.’

Q: Will you try and break any other records?!

A: Who knows! Maybe some day, there will be the attempt to beat our own record, or any other in barbering and cutting hair.

Q: How did you approach the eight hours? Tell us the layout – who helped you, how did you organise the shop, how many people came to get their hair cut? We want ALL the insight!

A: Firstly, I got the phone call from Mario Mayer who organized everything, and he said ‘Hey Nikodem, we’re going to beat the Guinness record, do you want to join us?” And I said, ‘Sure – tell me when and where and what to do!’

My father helped me a lot in this too – his name is Adam Szulc and he’s a worldwide barber and author of Barbering: A Complete Guide to Men’s Haircuts. He was posting on Facebook and Instagram about it. 

We cut about 500 heads and there could be more but there was a minimum length of them. It was 2cm on the sides and back, and 6cm on the top. We had to cut 2cm or more on the whole head, and we had to measure them with the ruler on the side, on the back, and on the top. 

We had to do pictures before and after to prove that we cut those two or more centimeters, so a lot of people sat on the chair and after measuring I was like, ‘Sorry man, your hair is too short to qualify.’

After about six hours, we heard, ‘We did it! We’ve got more cut heads then ours predecessors, but we still cutting to do as more as possible!” Around 100 cuts were disqualified and we don’t know why, but we still cut more than one hundred more than the Australians who won it in 2012!

THE NORCAL BARBER EXPO IS CALIFORNIA’S LARGEST EXPO, COVERING EDUCATION, BARBER BATTLES, AND VENDORS ACROSS A 20,000 SQ FT. ARENA. ALEJANDRO CUADRA AND JERRY HERRERA STRIVE TO ELEVATE THE BARBERING COMMUNITY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE POWER DUO TOLD US ABOUT THEIR VISION FOR THIS INCREDIBLE EXPO EXPERIENCE.

Between this power duo, they have 10 years-worth of experience in education and event organisation. Alejandro works with the Urban Barber College and Jerry organized the Bay Area Barber and Beauty Expo. NorCal, however, will be the largest Barber Expo in California at more than 20,000 sq ft. exclusively for the Barbering community and lifestyle. “It’s an exciting opportunity for barbers and cosmetologists to come together, network, learn, and celebrate their craft in a dynamic and live setting,” Alejandro told BarberEVO. “NorCal Barber Expo strives to create new networks, and industry relationships to create an event that showcases the best of the barbering industry.” 

In the early days, Jerry reached out to Jay Majors, one of the godfathers of the barber industry, to help consult and make the NorCal Expo an industry staple. Alejandro said: “Attendees can learn from industry leaders, witness live demonstrations, enter competitions, and stay updated on the latest trends and techniques. The expo is a place to explore and shop for new and innovative products that can enhance their work.” 

What can barbers expect from Nor Cal this year? “To start on August 6th, we’ll have education and workshops from 9am to 1pm, hosted by Ivan Zoot and headlined by Chris Bossio of Tomb45. The expo then continues from 1pm to 8pm.” 

The layout boasts a main stage for announcements, a Barber Battle stage as well as live demonstrations and Spanish education stages. Alejandro told us that having a spanish language stage is important to enhance diversity, embodying what NorCal is about. “Our Barber competitions will have categories for professionals, students and beauty,” he said. “We want to bring together barbers, cosmetologists, and anyone who shares a passion for the craft.” 

Alejandro continued: “NorCal’s main sponsor, Cocco Hair Pro, will educate barbers on their Digital Gap technology and best new tools. Vendors will show off the newest in tools and products on the main expo floor. “And of course, being in Northern California, one of our main sponsors is Redman Medicine a recreational Cannabis company, so you can say hi to them too.” 

“We have a lot of exciting barbering brands that you will not find anywhere else in the world and we are excited to bring them to a bigger stage. We also have Bebe Latino who hosts the Golden State Expo from San Jose, CA, who will be hosting the Spanish language education stage.” 

What benefits does their history in education bring to the table? “Being in the school environment is rewarding because students are always so excited to learn new things – and we see this amplified on our stages. When people first get into barbering, they have an open mind and are willing to try new products, which is always fun. Having firsthand experience in guiding and mentoring students as they develop their skills and enter the barbering profession is a pleasure.” 

Ultimately: “NorCal Barber Expo is an excellent opportunity for barbers to connect with peers, industry leaders, product suppliers, and potential mentors for collaborations, and career opportunities. It’s a time to celebrate the art of barbering and appreciate the art!” 

Check out norcalbarberexpo.com and @NorCalBarberExpo on IG for essential announcements about scheduled activities, guest speakers, and tickets. 

BE PART OF CALIFORNIA’S PREMIER EXPO 

BARBER BATTLE / EXPO / EDUCATION CLASSES 

www.norcalbarberexpo.com 

4501 PLEASANTON AVE PLEASANTON, CA 94566

With the industry events season at its height, EVO have teamed up with some of the leading brands in the industry, such as legendary apparel and cape brand, Barber Strong. Making a huge splash at Chicago’s ABS, CT Barber Expo and now, onto Premiere Orlando, they don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. 

At each event, the EVO Media Zone features multiple interactive activations, such as the EVO Cover Booth and the EVO Interview Hub. As a collaboration with Barber Strong, the EVO team (including the publication’s Director and Co-Founder, David Foster, and Editor Jennifer Paxton) interviewed countless industry leaders, such as: Kenny Duncan, Tyrik Jackson, Jay Majors, Kristi Faulkner, Byrd Mena, Hayden Cassidy, Steven Rivera, Kevin Nguyen, and many, many more. 

With each interviewee, the discussions surrounded the pro’s career, industry advice, and the importance of client comfort and barber professionalism. With the EVO Interview Hub decked out in Barber Strong’s top selling products, barber and salon professionals spoke about the importance of investing in durable, top quality, and long-lasting barbershop essentials. Interviewees held up their chosen jackets, vests and capes and discussed the top elements of what they look for in these products, and why Barber Strong are at the top of their game. 

Engineered especially for the professional barber, Barber Strong apparel and capes, use innovative methods, such as their NanoShield Technology to repel hair and maximize airflow for peak performance. In addition, the products are water and chemical resistant which gives the barber and stylist peace of mind when creating. Their wide collection of capes and apparel excel at providing a comfortable experience for clients, heightening the client experience. 

This is what some of the interviewees had to say: 

“You have all shapes and sizes of people come into your shop. So, to have a cape you know is going to be durable, comfortable and adaptable for all sizes, it will just help your clients feel relaxed and comfortable in your chair.” – Kristi Faulkner, on Barber Strong’s Shield Collection Barber Cape

“Client comfort is the number one thing. When you create a business, you have to reverse engineer and think of the customer’s experience before you think of your own needs. What is the customer experience going to be like? To me, it’s all about the five senses. Taste, smell, sight, hearing, and feeling. This cape feels good.” – Tyrik Jackson, on Barber Strong’s Classic Collection Barber Cape 

“When you walk into my barbershop, you know exactly who the barbers are, and who the clients are. So, every barber in the shop has a uniform and looks the part, so the clients know who to go to for any help they may need.” – Angel Raws, on Barber Strong’s Barber Tech Tee

Missed the EVO Media Zone at ABS or CT? Well, you’re in luck because we are taking it on the road again. Next stop, Premiere Orlando, and then, to a city near you?

Find out more about Barber Strong at barber-strong.com

Samson’s Haircare, the artisanal men’s hair and beard care range, have recently launched an innovative hair styling clay designed to help men achieve and maintain the perfect hairstyle, while at the simultaneously nourishing the hair with vital minerals. Samson’s Haircare Dead Sea Clay (4oz. / $22.00) is an easy-to-use moldable hairstyling clay that provides a matte finish and a medium-to-high hold. It is ideal for men (or anyone with short hair) who wants a natural-looking style that lasts all day.

This new hair styling clay is made with natural ingredients sourced from the Dead Sea region on the Eastern shores of Jordan. The formula predominantly contains the coveted Dead Sea Clay, which is known for its nourishing and healing properties that cleanse and purify the hair. The product also contained the addition of Black Hawaiian Sea Salt which delivers a naturally soft and moldable texture. Samson’s Dead Sea Clay is suitable for all hair types and can be used daily to revitalize hair texture.  And….the best part is that this clay can actually be rinsed out with water!

Dead Sea Clay is medium-to-strong hold, which makes pliable and easy to use, allowing you to style hair into the desired look with ease. Whether you prefer a casual, messy, textured look, or a more formal, modern pompadour style, this clay provides a natural-looking ultra-matte finish that lasts all day. 

The Samson’s Dead Sea Clay is packed with good-for-you minerals that nourish hair follicles and allow them to retain a healthy moisture level. The matte finish of the product ensures that hair looks effortlessly styled without appearing greasy or shiny compared to other products on the market. The Dead Sea Clay and Black Hawaiian Salt are ethically sourced and are hand batched and distributed by the Samson’s Haircare team.  

“We know that men want a hair product that is easy-to-use and delivers great results,” said Adam Muncy, co-founder of Samson’s Haircare. “We originally started experimenting with Dead Sea Clay for its healing and restorative properties and our new forming clay is specifically designed to provide a range of benefits for men’s hair. The product itself is a major achievement for my partner Jake, as a brewer and formulator, as this improves hair health and delivers a natural-looking style that lasts all day. We believe that this product will be a game-changer for men who want to achieve stylish and healthy-looking hair with minimal effort. Usually, it’s almost impossible to check all these boxes at once, but Samson’s Dead Sea Clay allows us to do so.”

Samson’s Haircare is committed to using only the highest quality and naturally sourced ingredients in every product. The Dead Sea Clay is free from harmful chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, making it safe and gentle for daily use to improve hair texture, hold and moisture levels for men who care about the look and health of their hair.

Dead Sea Clay is now available for purchase online at Samson’s Haircare website. Customers can enjoy free shipping on orders over $16 and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For more information on the Dead Sea Clay Hair Product and other Samson’s Haircare products, please visit their website https://samsonshaircare.com/

The iconic hairdressing competition, Wella Professionals TrendVision Award 2023, has launched. This contest showcases the greatest men’s and women’s hairdressing creativity in the UK & Ireland: this year new categories and exciting updates make it more desirable than ever before to enter. Max Amen, General Manager UK & Ireland, Wella Company said: “Wella’s TrendVision Award is an industry icon. It is a unique platform which offers all competitors the opportunity to show their skills, grow professionally, partner with legendary artists and unleash their creativity”.  

Entries open on the 17^th of April. All successful photographic entries will go straight through to the UK & Ireland Final, which takes place on 25^th September 2023 at Magazine London. All categories will compete live at the final, making it a truly memorable event.   

TrendVision Award celebrates innovative colouring techniques, first class cutting skills and inspirational, fashionable hairdressing. This dynamic platform showcases the exceptional Wella colour portfolio.   

Entering TrendVision Award has never been easier, and it’s not just open to those working in a salon. Anyone living or working in the UK or Ireland, including independent stylists, can enter, and you don’t need to be a Wella Professionals account. The exception being XPOSURE Creative Colour, which is exclusive to hairdressing students. Competitors complete an online entry form with a before and after image, then upload both images or a transformational reel to Instagram, making sure the relevant hashtags and tags are included. Images must have been taken in the last 12 months, not previously entered into any industry competitions, and there are no gender-specific limitations for models.  

The 2023 categories are:   

• Colour Visionary  

End Look Goal: A focus on stunning colour that uses exquisite colour techniques and showcases innovative colouring skills, using a collection of lavender tones ranging from delicate lilac to vibrant purple.   

• Craft Visionary   

End Look Goal : A focus on cut, colour and styling using colour techniques and placement to achieve striking colour to enhance the precision of the haircut. This is all about the before and after transformation, whilst maintaing condition.   

• Editorial Look  

End Look Goal: A colour editorial image that delivers an edgy yet balanced editorial hair design, using colour, texture and shape to bring a visual story to life.   

• XPOSURE Creative Colour  

End Look Goal: Showcase creative colouring that’s perfectly placed to create a strong cut and colour combination. Quality and condition is key, as is suitability to the model or headblock.   

Inspirational mood boards and category criteria can be found on the TrendVision Award website wella.co.uk/trendvision  

Key 2023 dates:  

Photographic Entries open: Monday 17^th April.  

Photographic Entries close: Friday 9^th June 5pm.  

Photographic Results Announcement: w/c 24th July  

UK & Ireland Final: Monday 25^th September, Magazine London.  

The TrendVision Award journey is supported by an incredible online resource hub where all the information and inspiration you need is available, at www.wella.co.uk/trendvision.  

For further information, contact the Wella Events Team at wellaevents@wella.com.  

Connect with Wella Professional on social media. Instagram @WellaProfessionalsUKI / Facebook @WellaUKI / TikTok @WellaHairUKI #NTVA2023 

State-of-the-art school to be located in Chicago, IL.

Wahl Clipper Corporation is pleased to announce plans are underway to open the Wahl Barber Academy. This first-of-its-kind barber school is scheduled to open in the Spring in Chicago, IL. 

The Academy is in partnership with Pivot Point Academy which will operate the school and oversee curriculum. The Wahl Barber Academy will continue a legacy of industry firsts by being an elite barbering institution designed to train the next generation of barber professionals.

“Education has always been a cornerstone of Wahl’s philosophy. The opening of the Wahl Barber Academy furthers our commitment to providing the educational excellence needed to succeed in the barbering industry,” said Lance Wahl, senior vice president of professional sales & marketing at Wahl Clipper Corporation.

The Wahl Barber Academy will equip future barbers with the skills needed to perform at the industry’s highest levels. With its reputation for developing exceptional new hair and beauty professionals, Wahl found in Pivot Point Academy a partner that matches its commitment to excellence and a shared drive to improve the beauty and barber industry.

“The Wahl Barber Academy was designed to create well-rounded, exceptional barbers. The students will learn hair cutting, shaving, grooming and basic skin care, along with the business skills necessary to prepare them to succeed in the men’s grooming industry,” said Denise Provenzano, managing partner and co-owner of Pivot Point Academy.

Wahl and Pivot Point Academy have assembled a team of leading licensed instructors who demonstrate technical skill and the ability to inspire and motivate students. Provenzano oversees faculty recruitment with Pivot Point Academy’s Master Barber & Lead Educator Ken Washburn and School Director Michelle Lamantia.

The award-winning team at Interworks Architecture is designing the modern-industrial 6,183-square-foot educational space located at 8501 W. Higgins in Chicago near O’Hare Airport, and easily accessed from the CTA blue line.

In addition to offering world-class education for future barbers, the academy will serve as an advanced training center, hosting educational opportunities for industry professionals and Wahl’s global team of educators. Classes will begin in Spring 2023 and guests will be able to schedule hair and grooming appointments with the next generation of leading barber students starting shortly thereafter.

A private grand opening celebration is slated for Friday, April 14, in advance of America’s Beauty Show.