Bailey Snowden, founder of Snowden Hair, has opened his brand-new barbershop after deciding that his original venue was becoming too small. Bailey opened the business after noticing a gap in premium edge barbershops within his local area of Scunthorpe.
Bailey’s goal was to raise the bar in his local area, whilst creating a community not only for his clients, but for likeminded barbers. With over a decade of industry experience under his belt, taking the next step and opening a modern studio has been monumental in his journey.
“I am so incredibly proud of the progress I have made and what we’re building here, with many long days, sleepless nights and very big decisions I really believe we are creating a promising future within the heart of Scunthorpe,” said Bailey.
The new venue is still within his local town, keeping true to his roots. However, the new shop includes lots of new features for Snowden Hair such as a relaxed and comfortable waiting area for clients, a luxurious backwash, comfortable styling chairs positioned in front of their own vanity mirrors, shelves filled with Snowden approved styling products and an electric, welcoming atmosphere.
At just 28, Bailey has a strong progressive attitude to the industry and is constantly putting his all into education. He hasn’t only expanded the business to accommodate the clientele, but he is also expanding the Snowden Hair barbering team.
He wants to continue taking on apprentices from his local community and share his passion, always promoting the industry. Bailey wants others to see a future within hair that goes beyond the chair.
“I am truly thankful to everyone who has supported Snowden Hair and I’m excited at the fact that this is only the beginning of the journey, I welcome all future opportunities with open arms,” added Bailey.
Education, competition and business development came together at the 2026 V’s Summit, where barbers, franchise owners and industry partners gathered in Phoenix for three days of learning, networking and celebration.
Held June 15–17, the biennial event is one of the benefits barbers enjoy in being part of the V’s Barbershop network, designed to help barbers improve their craft and give them resources to support their careers.
With managers, shop owners and the brand’s leadership team all milling among the crowd, the Summit is a chance to make the connections barbers’ need to take their next career leap.
Class is in Session
This year’s “U Groom” homecoming theme brought a sense of school spirit and family-like connection to the three-day event, which once again saw education at the heart of the agenda.
Top educators and grooming brands including Captain Fawcett, Reuzel, Uppercut, StyleCraft, Andis, Wahl and Brosh shared practical knowledge for attendees to take back to their shops and clients, while vendor and retail sessions gave the opportunity to explore new tools, products and revenue opportunities.
For barbers, it meant discovering ways to enhance the guest experience, while franchise owners could take away ideas to strengthen shop performance, and encourage team education.
V’s founder and CEO Jim “Mr. V” Valenzuela joined the brand’s leadership team for an open discussion on the company’s plans, with presentations covering marketing, operations, franchise collaboration and the direction of the brand for franchisees.
The Best of V’s
An event highlight, the Ultimate Haircut competition once again put the V’s network’s talent to task, with Jacob Polangco from V’s Barbershop in Old Town Scottsdale taking first place.
One of the Summit’s most anticipated events, the competition celebrated the creativity, technical ability and professionalism of V’s barbers. It also gave talented individuals a stage to showcase their skills and represent their shops.
The Summit’s homecoming celebration also recognized the people and shops whose performance and leadership set an example across the network.
Honors included:
Shop of the Year: Nick Crouch & MJ Park – Nocatee
V’s Experience: Matt Klein & Teresa Klein – White Bear Lake
Founder’s Award: Ken Frate & Nate Lipton, Tucson Joesler Village, Tucson Williams Center – Old Spanish Trail
Spirit of V’s: Galaviz/Collier Family – Houston River Oaks & Katy Reserve
Franchisee of the Year: Lazaro Martinez & Abril Martinez – Verrado & Avonda
V’s Summit 2026 demonstrated that joining V’s means becoming part of something bigger than a single shop. It means access to continuing education, professional recognition, business resources and a nationwide community invested in helping its members succeed.
Founders of CHURCH CALIFORNIA, Ryan and Beatrice Gonzalez spent years honing and developing wild-grown products for well-groomed people. Now, with the help of lead educator Brandon Faulks, Church CA Pro is blooming bigger than ever.
The team began travelling in May on a mission to grow the brand’s education and ambassador program by opening the door to a wider network of barbers, putting product knowledge and strong technical foundations at the heart of the program.
Pandemic Pivot to Program Lead
Brandon never envisioned himself becoming an educator, but when the pandemic hit, he went looking for a stable, hands-on career. After he picked up his first pair of shears and enrolled at an Aveda Institute, where he admits to “not being the best student”, before working in a classic barbershop.
Eventually joining Church Barber in San Francisco, founder Ryan sent him to his first class. “That opened my eyes to looking at barbering as more of a craft than a job. My first year, I did about seven or eight in-person classes. I kind of got addicted to it,” Brandon said.
Passing it Forward
As his knowledge grew, he looked for ways to share it. That started with peer classes inside the shop, taking what he’d learned and teaching it to the other barbers at Church. After hosting classes at True System, Brandon began experimenting with a model designed to remove financial barriers.
“About a year ago, I started offering pay-what-you-can classes,” he said. “I wanted to make education more approachable for people at all different stages of their careers. That has developed into Church California Pro Education as it is now.”
Section First, Style Second
Technique sits at the core of the curriculum, starting with sectioning. “Once you learn how to section, you can easily guide yourself through the haircut,” Brandon explained. “One section can be eight different haircuts, if not more. It is about choosing the length and texture that are suitable for the client.”
Technique and precision are only half the story, though. “I like to remind them that they are artists,” he said. “It is not about cutting like a robot. It is about learning precise techniques but also cutting hair as an artist and creating your vision.”
No Hard Sell
Church California Pro products knowledge is built into the classes, but never as a sales pitch. “The hair comes first,” Brandon said. Classes cover cutting techniques, then styling, showing barbers how to choose products based on a client’s style and hair type, so they can better educate their own clients.
“I have been to classes where the whole thing seems like a sales pitch, and that approach rubs me the wrong way. I always make sure it is hair first, and then we can talk about the product.”
Who’s Next?
As the ambassador network grows, Brandon wants growth to be gradual, organic and driven by genuine passion, not social media numbers.
“Experience or following is not the biggest thing to look for,” he said. “It is someone who is genuinely passionate about barbering and wants to help others. Are you truly passionate about hair, and are you truly passionate about helping other people get better?”
Whether you want to sharpen your technical foundations, embrace your artistic side or take the next step towards becoming an ambassador or educator, Church California Pro has a place for you. Find out more at pro.churchcalifornia.com.
Barber, educator and school founder Kenneth Shuler has passed away aged 85, leaving a legacy of mentorship and opportunity that helped generations of beauty professionals build their careers.
Michael Kenneth Shuler, founder of Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, passed away on October 11, 2026. His career spanned more than six decades, taking him from barbering to leading an eight-campus education network alongside his wife Angie.
Born in Holly Hill, South Carolina, Kenneth entered the industry in 1959. In 1968, he acquired Capitol Barber College and established Kenneth Shuler School of Men’s Hairstyling, which later became Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology. His schools would help shape the careers of thousands of barbering and beauty professionals across the Southeast.
Remembering his contribution, Tonya Hanna, Director of Education at American Crew, reflected on the breadth of his influence.
“Mr. Shuler helped shape the beauty industry with a lifelong commitment to education, mentorship, and opportunity,” Tonya said. “From his beginnings as a barber to building Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, he championed an approach to education that went beyond technical skills, preparing beauty professionals with the confidence, business knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to build successful careers.”
Tonya also recalled his personal impact on her career, explaining that Kenneth Shuler was the largest American Crew Partner School during her time running that division of the company.
“He leaves a legacy of generations of professionals and educators who continue to carry his influence throughout the beauty industry,” she said.
Kenneth’s commitment extended to national leadership, including three consecutive terms as president of the National Association of Barber Schools. His contributions were recognized with South Carolina’s Order of the Palmetto in 2014 and the national N.F. Cimaglia Award in 2018.
BarberEVO extends its condolences to Kenneth’s family, friends, colleagues and the many students whose lives he helped shape.Barber, educator and school founder Kenneth Shuler has passed away aged 85, leaving a legacy of mentorship and opportunity that helped generations of beauty professionals build their careers.
Michael Kenneth Shuler, founder of Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, passed away on October 11, 2026. His career spanned more than six decades, taking him from barbering to leading an eight-campus education network alongside his wife Angie.
Born in Holly Hill, South Carolina, Kenneth entered the industry in 1959. In 1968, he acquired Capitol Barber College and established Kenneth Shuler School of Men’s Hairstyling, which later became Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology. His schools would help shape the careers of thousands of barbering and beauty professionals across the Southeast.
Remembering his contribution, Tonya Hanna, Director of Education at American Crew, reflected on the breadth of his influence.
“Mr. Shuler helped shape the beauty industry with a lifelong commitment to education, mentorship, and opportunity,” Tonya said. “From his beginnings as a barber to building Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, he championed an approach to education that went beyond technical skills, preparing beauty professionals with the confidence, business knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to build successful careers.”
Tonya also recalled his personal impact on her career, explaining that Kenneth Shuler was the largest American Crew Partner School during her time running that division of the company.
“He leaves a legacy of generations of professionals and educators who continue to carry his influence throughout the beauty industry,” she said.
Kenneth’s commitment extended to national leadership, including three consecutive terms as president of the National Association of Barber Schools. His contributions were recognized with South Carolina’s Order of the Palmetto in 2014 and the national N.F. Cimaglia Award in 2018.
BarberEVO extends its condolences to Kenneth’s family, friends, colleagues and the many students whose lives he helped shape.
As global artist and education manager for Depot Male Tools, Luca Malnati has spent the last decade reshaping how barbers think about hair, product, and education.
His latest project, the Seasons of Identity collection, captures that philosophy in vivid color, earning a place on the cover of BarberEVO 51.
Four Seasons, Four Statements
The collection drew inspiration from the changing seasons. Luca explained that he designed four distinct looks reflecting a different time of year through color and texture.
He selected a blonde, a copper, pink, and a dark-haired model, each symbolizing a unique season. While the blonde suggested spring, and the pink stood in for summer, the dark hair represented winter, and the copper perfectly embodied fall.
Luca said he wanted to “mix the elements of nature and translate them into hair,” using tone, shine, and movement to echo the natural world.
This was also a conscious break from the hyper-masculine aesthetic that has dominated barbering collections in recent years.
Luca noted that a lot of imagery in the industry still centered on “super sharp, super strong, super masculine” looks that do not always feel relatable for every client.
Instead, he drew inspiration from the fashion and salon worlds, where color and texture are used more freely and with greater nuance. “I wanted to step out a little and get inspiration from the salon world to bring it into the barber world,” he said.
The goal was to create something both artistic and accessible, a collection that felt aspirational but still wearable.
Styling the Seasons
Depot’s product range played a central role in bringing Luca’s concept to life. Although Depot is a male brand, he was clear that it’s not confined to a narrow, hypermasculine image. For him, Depot is about male beauty and self-expression, not stereotypes.
He described his vision of the Depot client as “a person that wants to take care of themselves and wants to express their personality through the hair and be confident with the beauty that nature gives to them.”
Each look in Seasons of Identity was anchored by a specific product story. For the autumn-inspired copper, Luca reached for 316 Styling Cream. The product offered a natural shine and a slightly wet, moldable finish that reminded him of leaves resting on the ground, touched with dew.
For the springlike blonde, he chose 310 Curl Designer, one of his personal favorites as a curly haired artist himself. The product’s volume and movement made him think of “when you start to see flowers bloom in the spring, and feel the breeze move through the grass.”
Winter was interpreted with 312 Charcoal Paste, a moldable clay with charcoal that delivered a darker, matte satin effect and strong structure. It echoed the muted tones and solidity of colder months.
Summer came through in the pink look, styled with 302 Play Pomade, a soft, workable pomade that allowed for restyling throughout the day. Luca pointed out that this flexibility felt perfect for hot weather, when clients are more likely to touch and refresh their hair.
Big Vision, Small Production
Behind the scenes, the production of Seasons of Identity was intimate and resourceful. Luca completed the entire project in a single day using friends, colleagues, and personal contacts instead of professional models.
A close friend handled makeup, and the photographer and videographer were also part of his circle. Even the wardrobe came from his own closet. By doing the color, cuts, and styling himself, he demonstrated that a strong collection does not have to rely on a huge budget.
He wanted other barbers to see that “you don’t need to invest a lot of money to get a good collection, you just need to collect the right people that help you with a good vision and just spread your creativity and your art.”
That spirit of resourcefulness and community runs through Luca’s role at Depot. As global artist and education manager, he is responsible not only for his own creative work but also for shaping the brand’s worldwide education strategy and supporting the growth of its educator network.
He described his job as having “the creativity and the responsibility” to design new seminars, introduce fresh concepts, and encourage barbers to think differently about hair and service.
His approach to education goes far beyond teaching how a product works. In North America, Depot is building a community of educators who can share the brand’s method, vision, and tools while also helping barbers expand their service menus and business potential.
“The Depot products are tools that allow you to work better, but also to perform in a different way,” said Luca.
Central to this educational philosophy is consultation. Luca believes that proper consultation is “key for planning the journey with the customers and building trust and loyalty.”
He teaches barbers to understand not only how to execute a technique, but why they are choosing it, and how it solves a specific client problem. That, in turn, makes retail recommendations feel personalized and credible rather than transactional. He described it as a “tailor made approach” focused on understanding the client deeply and giving the best possible advice.
Over his nearly ten years with Depot, Luca has come back to one guiding principle: trust in the process.
“I think if you truly believe in your brand, your skills, and yourself, and you trust the process, you can reach results you never expected. Not everything happens in an instant.”
The British Hair Consortium (BHC) has issued an open letter calling for clarity on the state of the UK’s beauty industry, claiming that today’s headlines “don’t reflect the reality facing hairdressers, barbers and beauticians.”
In its role representing the UK’s hairdressing, barbering and beauty sectors, the BHC said that despite media cover suggesting the industry is experiencing a boom this does not reflect the daily reality of those working behind the chair.
“Across the country, salon owners continue to grapple with rising costs, increasing employment burdens, reduced consumer spending and the ongoing impact of VAT disparities,” read the BHC’s letter.
“Businesses that have served their communities for decades are facing immense pressure. Salon closures continue to occur at an alarming rate, while many business owners are questioning the long-term viability of remaining on the high street.”
According to the trade body, this misleading impression of the UK’s beauty sector risks masking the challenges faced by service businesses, potentially undermining the case for targeted support.
The BHC is currently campaigning for VAT reforms that it says are needed to prevent tax losses, and is advocating for measures it claims will protect jobs, apprenticeships and businesses.
As part of its campaigning, the BHC is calling for hair and beauty services be measured and reported separately from retail and manufacturing in data shared with Government, clarity the trade body says is vital in determining the real growth of the sector.
“Our message to policymakers is simple: do not mistake growth in consumer product sales for a boom in salon based service businesses,” said the BHC.
“Our message to the industry is equally clear: we see the reality you are facing, we understand the pressures you are under, and we will continue to ensure your voice is heard at the highest levels of government.”
Underground hair event Hair Jam is returning for its fourth edition on Sunday 25 October 2026, this time with a Halloween night inspired by ’80s VHS horror.
bebop, London’s independent hair & nail salon, is bringing Hair Jam back for a stylish yet spooky evening on Sunday 25th October, sponsored by Maria Nila UK. The event is expected to run from 7:30pm to 10pm at bebop, Unit 9-10 8 Hornsey Street, London N7 8EG, and is free for anyone in the industry to attend.
This year the line-up is led by women and non-binary artists, with Hair Jam 2026 set to give often overlooked talent room to be seen, without the egos or hierarchy that often come with traditional shows.
Hair Jam launched on Friday 13th October 2023 as an alternative to the big-name shows that tend to dominate the hair calendar. Rather than a seated show fronted by the usual figureheads, it puts independent and underground hairdressers from London, the UK and Europe at 12 working stations, where guests can walk up, watch them create and ask questions as they go.
There is no stage, no competition, just hairdressers who love what they do and want a space to show it, with the finished looks showcased on models at 9pm. Among the artists featured will be Neevo from Salt Salon London, Ratbag from SANO Hair, Isabella from Peg Hair Salon, Phoebe Friend from Shag London, and Renay Roussou from bebop.
Where previous editions landed in the middle of the busy trade-show season, Hair Jam ’26 sits close to Halloween, giving industry pros the chance for a proper party, with an 80s VHS horror theme keeping guests on their toes through the night. Those attending are encouraged to dress up, and anyone who does gets a free drink at the bar.
“Hair Jam has always been about staying independent and giving underground talent a welcoming platform. The industry has become far too serious, and with the pressures of everyday life and social media, we could all use a night to take a step back and enjoy what we do,” said Pont Smith, founder of bebop.
“There’s no prize to win, just a chance to create, share what you know, and meet people who love hairdressing as much as you do. Most of all, it’s a reminder that being a hairdresser is meant to be fun.”
Kay, a member of bebop’s art team and one of the salon’s colour educators, organised and hosts the night.
“Women make up most of this industry, but you wouldn’t always know it from who gets put on stage, and non-binary artists get even less of a look-in,” said Kay. “This year’s Hair Jam is about making room for people to come through on their own terms, with no egos and no hierarchy, just brilliant work.”
For those who dare, there will also be Tarot readings form Tora Rose, and for everyone else there will be music throughout the night from WEASEL, as well as a fully stocked bar and a limited number of Maria Nila goody bags.
Entry is free and open to the industry. Space is limited, so guests are advised to arrive early, particularly if they want a goody bag.
East of Eden has already hit 6.5 million views in its first four days on Netflix, with viewers revelling in the 19th Century drama. But it’s the men’s hairstyles that have caught our eye, with classic cuts from the era highlighting looks that have come back into style through the re-emergence of traditional barbering.
With period drama’s proving more popular than ever, are we about to see a return of more classic men’s cuts?
Annabelle Taurua, beauty expert at booking platform Fresha, is taking a closer look at the classic styles seen in East of Eden, to give a breakdown on how to achieve the same look in today.
Adam Trask’s Swept Back Scissor Cut (Christopher Abbot)
“Adam’s hairstyle for most of the series is a medium-length, scissor cut style that keeps plenty of length and natural texture throughout, with the hair swept back rather than sharply parted like many of today’s modern lengthier cuts.
“If you want to replicate Adam’s East of Eden look, ask your Barber for a medium-length scissor cut that keeps plenty of length through the sides and back; ask them to thin it out slightly while keeping the natural shape and texture. I’d style it with a small amount of styling cream through damp hair, then sweep it back with your fingers.”
“Charles wears a medium-length shag with natural layers and plenty of relaxed movement throughout. A relaxed shag is not sharply structured or heavily styled. It should allow the hair to fall naturally, creating an effortless, lived-in look.
“If you’re seeking a relaxed shag similar to Charles, I’d ask your Barber for a medium-length shag with soft layers, again, keeping plenty of length and working with your hair’s natural texture.
“Keep the styling minimal, as the whole point of a relaxed shag is that you don’t need to style it. Apply a small amount of leave-in product to damp hair and let it dry naturally, using your fingers to shape the hair for an undone finish.”
“Cal sported natural-looking curls and volume through the top and sides of his hair in the series. An untamed perm hairstyle isn’t tightly defined or heavily styled, and the curls tend to be left slightly unruly for a more relaxed, lived-in finish.
“Joseph Zada, the actor who plays Cal, appears to have naturally curly hair, as this is his signature look across most of his acting roles, which makes it much easier for him to achieve this look.
“If you don’t have naturally curly hair, ask your Barber for a loose, natural-looking perm that adds texture and movement without creating tight curls, keeping some length through the sides and back. Keep styling minimal by applying a small amount of curl cream to damp hair, scrunch through the curls and allow them to dry naturally.”
Wahl Professional put its styling tools at the heart of London Fashion Week this season, marking the leading brand’s first official appearance as a hair sponsor for Yuhan Wang’s Spring/Summer 2027 show, Sweet Nightmare.
Central to the collaboration were four hero products: the Wahl Pro Shine Curling Tong, Pro Shine Conical Wand, Pro Glide Straighteners and Vanquish Hair Dryer. Used together, the tools gave the backstage team the precision to build soft, defined pin curls and transform them into the runway’s deliberately undone finish.
Wahl Professional Artistic Lead Stacey Wright and Wahl European Artistic & Education Team Member James Parr directed a team of stylists backstage to bring Wang’s dreamlike vision to life.
“The Pro Shine Curling Tong and Vanquish Hair Dryer were our hero tools backstage,” said James. “The Pro Shine’s consistent heat and keratin-infused ceramic barrel gave us the bounce, movement and refined shape we needed to build the traditional set.
“The Vanquish’s focused airflow then helped us create lift at the hairline and loosen the finish without losing that underlying structure. Alongside the Pro Shine Conical Wand and Pro Glide Straighteners, they gave us the control to take the hair from polished to deliberately undone.”
The creative starting point was a girl who had fallen asleep with her hair set before slipping into a nightmare. Soft, romantic curls remained recognisable, but their polished shape was disrupted with lift, movement and deliberately dishevelled texture.
The styling direction reflected the wider concept behind Sweet Nightmare, which explores the unstable territory between waking and sleeping, a woman’s inner world and the different versions of ourselves that can exist at once. Across the collection, lingerie, transparent lace and silk satin met cotton, checks and sports jersey, while familiar garments and everyday bedroom objects were distorted and reimagined.
The Wahl Pro Shine Curling Tong created the defined curls and pin-curl shapes that formed the foundation of the look, while the Pro Shine Conical Wand introduced variation through the curl pattern. Pro Glide Straighteners were used to refine individual sections, and the Wahl Vanquish Hair Dryer added height around the hairline and loosened the finish through the lengths.
“Backstage, we needed to work quickly without losing control of the finish. The Vanquish’s focused airflow let us build height at the hairline and movement through the lengths, while its lightweight design made it comfortable to handle throughout show preparation,” added Stacey.
“The result was hair that looked softly set at first glance, but slightly disturbed on closer inspection – the point where a sweet dream starts to become a nightmare.”
Although the tools were put through their paces by professional stylists backstage, they are also designed for styling at home, offering flexibility to create everything from defined curls and loose waves to smooth, polished finishes.
Wahl Professional’s first official London Fashion Week hair sponsorship marks a significant step for the brand’s styling category, placing professional-grade Wahl tools at the heart of one of the world’s leading fashion stages and showing how the same performance can translate from backstage to the bathroom mirror.
The Fellowship for British Hairdressing has announced the recipients of The Wahl Scholarship for 2027, with Charlotte Illi of Brooks & Brooks, Cameron Sutton from CAM & Co. Barbers, and Monika Felczykowska of Monia Style the lucky few chosen.
Each winner will receive a choice of selected Wahl academy courses to attend throughout the year at Wahl HQ Academy and a Wahl product kit to add to their collection.
“This opportunity means a great deal to me, as it represents recognition of my hard work and dedication, and motivates me to continue developing my skills and growing professionally,” said Monika Felczykowska. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and excited for what lies ahead.”
The Wahl Scholarship is an opportunity for them to learn new skills and gain valuable tools that will help elevate their career. It includes participation in the Wahl Bootcamp, which past scholars have said gave them more confidence in taking their careers to the next level. Several scholars have gone on to be educators or ambassadors for the brands who sponsor Wahl’s scholarships.
Cameron Sutton from CAM & Co. said that winning the Wahl Scholarship is a “massive deal”, saying that he can now “grow as a barber and educate other people” as his career progresses.
The Wahl Scholarship is only one of the Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Scholarship programmes which aims to provide emerging creatives with opportunities to work alongside leading educators and global brands whilst developing their technical, creative and commercial expertise.
“For eighty years, the Fellowship has brought together the very best of British Hairdressing. That legacy is something we are incredibly proud to inherit, but our responsibility is to ensure the Fellowship continues to evolve for future generations,” said Simon Shaw, Fellowship for British Hairdressing President.
“The Fellowship for British Hairdressing’s Scholarships have been implemented to ensure that next generation is provided with the opportunity to excel in the industry. Congratulations to Charlotte, Cameron and Monica.”
