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. 

 

Kicking off the new year at the ‘24 winter x games where the barbers are just as extreme as the competitors, andis company partners with barber authority to give athletes and vips gold medal looks.

Andis® Company, a leading manufacturer of handheld grooming tools and education for professional barbers took its expertise to new heights in January, literally. Sitting at nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, Buttermilk Mountain played host to the 2024 Winter X Games, as well as Andis Company’s partnership with Barber Authority. Joining forces to offer barbering services in the Athlete’s Lounge, Andis Ambassadors were tapped to style the athletes with fresh haircuts and beard trims to show off at the games, plus at-home tools to keep up the looks.

Teaming up with Barber Authority, a barbering collective founded by celebrity barber Steve Vilot in Lynchburg Tennessee, Andis sent Andis Ambassadors Jose Perez Zamora (@flashy_faded), Julien Howard (@thevelobarber), and Jorge Saldana (goalku_) to demonstrate their own skills on the mountain. Equipped with fresh, custom-engraved Master Cordless Clippers and all new Andis tools including trimmers, shavers and more, these barbers brought expert talent to the competition known for taking things to the next level.

These X-treme styles included many athletes walking away with the X Games official logo shaved into their fades. Snowboarder Pat Fava left the games with a mustache trim by Jose Perez Zamora as well. While the Winter X Games are often synonymous with the long hair that many of the athletes would refer to as “flow,” the Athlete’s Lounge was packed with athletes and other VIPs waiting for their shot at a new, Andis-perfected look. Fades, sculpted mullets, and crew cuts transformed the style of the games.

“Andis tools have powered Steve and Barber Authority for 10 years at the X Games. This year, we were excited to also provide barbers for the event,” said Bruce Bock, Sr. Corporate Communications Manager at Andis. “Jose, Julien and Jorge are extremely talented barbers and everyone who walked into the tent walked out with a perfect haircut.”

“I have always been an Andis-only barber and after years of using their precision tools in my barbershops and on tour, it has been awesome working with the team here at the Winter X Games,” said Vilot. The level of talent and the quality of tools is obvious looking at every haircut that left the tent. We are very excited to continue partnering with Andis, especially this summer at Lollapalooza.”

As 2024 is already shaping up to be a big year for tight, structured haircuts, Andis and Barber Authority have secured themselves as the trendsetters in the world of extreme sports. Sharing the incredible talent of the Andis Ambassadors and the precision of the Andis tool lineup on a stage this large is set to forecast a wave of new styles in the world of barbering.

For more information visit www.andis.com and barberauthority.com. To keep up with all things Andis® Company, follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Denman recently donated Jack Dean by Denman barbering kit to a new cohort of barbering learners at Mike Taylor Education in Poole. A general lack of offering for apprenticeships in barbering means that students are forced into a choice between private courses that are often premium priced and can lack real world training or hairdressing college courses that lack a barbering focus. Mike says “These nine students were falling between the cracks when it came to the training on offer. After years of petitioning and a change of local MP, I finally succeeded in securing funding for seven students. They were all worthy applicants and so eager to begin that I couldn’t just select seven, so we are funding two of them ourselves. Denman’s donation of kit means that they have quality tools from the very start.” 

These students will take English, maths and wider learning along with their practical skills and Mike’s purpose is to ensure that when they have acquired their VRQ Level 2 they will be workplace ready and an asset to any barbershop who will help them progress further.

For more information on Mike Taylor Education go to www.miketayloreducation.com. 

Follow @denmanpro. 

One Man. Two Wheels. Over 10,000 miles across 27 countries…

British Gentleman’s Grooming company Captain Fawcett Ltd, is on the road again for the third and final part of the GREAT EXPEDITION 2023. 

Richie Finney, founder of the multi-award-winning Norfolk-based lifestyle brand, has embarked on the last leg of a three part solo motorcycle adventure. Beginning in May, during spring and summer Richie completed two action-packed tours through Spain, central Europe and the Nordic and Baltic states. The finale, Part Three, sees him continue his odyssey through the heart of Europe, culminating with a photo finish in Paris in mid-October.

Covering 16,000km across 27 countries, the remarkable ride has proved hugely successful. As well as cementing relationships by sharing great moments in the European barbershop community, it has created the occasion to meet new acquaintances – barbers, customers and distributors alike. The Great Expedition is an unparalleled opportunity to showcase the brand’s multi-award winning Gentleman’s Grooming products to existing and prospective buyers on their home territory. Raising public awareness of the brand through barbershop events, the epic road trip is generating a wealth of shared social media content and enthusiastic coverage in the European press. 

Richie Finney (aka Captain Fawcett’s ‘Right Hand Man’) says: “Why Europe? Of course after Brexit we are no longer dealing with a single state (the EU) but 27 individual countries, each with their own nuances and customs requirements, plus others not part of the European Union. Some 78% of our orders go overseas and, furthermore, Captain Fawcett is hugely proud to be named a Department for Business and Trade Export Champion for 4 years running.

I’m taking to the highway because, as tis said ‘the road goes forever on’, but inevitably our time on it is short. The barbershop experience is hands-on. It can’t be replicated through wires and algorithms. The chatter, the laughter, the drinks, the scent of perfume, a massage, a luxurious close shave. Those tangible moments are the antidote to solitude, a tribute to our togetherness. They’re the essence of life itself! So, dear chums, by all means come along and say how do! It’s going to be wild, it’s going to be weird, and it’s going to be one hell of a ride!” 

The innovator in the barber industry is crossing over into music, integrating the unique sound of their clippers into a summer soundtrack created by legendary professionals.

STERLING, IL (August 1, 2023) – Did the inventors of the electric hair clipper just drop an album? Sounds like it. Wahl Clipper Corporation, a pioneer in the barber tool industry for over 100 years, dropped six new tracks as part of its new Icons of Wahl campaign.

At the heart of every barbershop is a musical backdrop that sets the tone for the space, the experiences, and the clients. The sound of their iconic clippers and trimmers has always been an omnipresent hum in the background of every haircut. In a bold creative move, Wahl blended these familiar sounds with music that resonates with modern professionals, giving birth to six fresh tracks, each seamlessly incorporating the distinctive sounds of a Wahl tool all while celebrating the unique identity and diversity of industry pros.

Every Wahl clipper has its own distinct vibration, tone, and pitch, creating a symphony of sound that is unmistakable to those who wield these legendary tools. Factor in the variable speeds, swappable blades, along with a variety of different cutting techniques, and you have a rich sonic palette of sounds that have become the hallmark of Wahl products.
The Icons of Wahl campaign showcases their line-up of headliner tools, Wahl’s most enduring products, each with its own unique legacy. These tools stand the test of time and have become the cornerstone for modern barbers and stylists. With Wahl’s clippers and trimmers in hand, these professionals elevate their artistry, producing exceptional results that leave a lasting impression on their clients.

The Icons of Wahl campaign features legendary professionals, including Rick Morin, Fernando Ibánez, Garland Fox, Kristi Faulkner, Nieves, and Arisa Thomas, each paired with the headlining Wahl tool that has played a pivotal role in shaping their careers. Wahl enlisted producer John Ferreria to craft original songs that merge the rhythms of their favorite tools with the genres that inspire them:

01. Rock the Look – Rick Morin feat. Wahl Senior® (80’s Rock)

02. Abracadabra – Kristi Faulkner feat. Wahl Magic Clip® (Electro Pop)

03. Style Standards – Garland Fox feat. Wahl Legend® (Jazz)

04. El Cabello – Fernando Ibánez feat. Wahl Super Taper® (Latin)

05. Fine Tune – Nieves feat. Detailer® Li (Alt Hip-Hop)

06. Fur Sure – Arisa Thomas feat. KM10® (Easy Pop)

Garrett McGuire, Wahl’s Global Brand Director, explained the thought process behind the inventive blending of tool vibrations with music, stating, “The buzz of Wahl tools has always been music to my ears, and I know barbers and stylists will immediately recognize each tool’s unique rhythm and vibration within these new songs. We are passionate about celebrating the essence of their craft in a way that resonates, with music being such a large part of the barbershop or salon experience, and feel inspired and energized in this industry they cherish.”

The Icons of Wahl campaign is a genre-blurring crossover for barber professionals and music enthusiasts alike, with custom music tracks available for download and sharing on various social media platforms. 
As part of the campaign, the entire Icons of Wahl line, including the Senior, the Legend, the Magic Clip, the Super Taper, the KM10, and the Detailer Li, is now available for purchase at wahlpro.com.

The original Icons of Wahl songs can be enjoyed on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and can be downloaded from wahlpro.com/icons.

The latest issue of BarberEVO North America is OUT NOW.  

Get your copy here!

Barber of the Edition: Jessie Perez Gil
Barbershop of the Edition: Blind Barber Chicago
Newcomer of the Edition: Elliot Thomas, The Spot Academy
EVO in the City Location: San Francisco
EVO Abroad Location: Switzerland
Diary of a CEO: Aston LaFon, 18.21 ManMade
Behind-the-Scenes Photoshoot: Purcy Chair

Welcoming our new and returning columnists: 

Angie Perino
Barberville
Chico Boom
Byrd Mena
Brandi Lashay
Tyler Kelbert

 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:  

NEW YEAR TRENDS

Everything you need to know about 2024 style is HERE.

Featuring trend predictions from STMNT’s Jōvan Figueroa, American Crew’s Phoenix Thomson, Andis’ Angie Perino, Pamela Reyes, Taylor Leven and Jason Rios, too. Including insight to color, style, cuts, design, texture, and protective styling.

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GROOMING

Shaving and skincare make for the perfect relaxation experience in a shop. Learn how to maximize on sales and revenue using grooming services.

Featuring advice from Jay Cruz, J. Harris Barber, Danilo Alfonso, Joseph Macdonald and more. 

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EDITORIAL

Expect big names in the editorial world in this feature. Byrd Mena is one of our new columnists and gives you the tools you need to do justice to your creativity and design photoshoots that showcase your skill AND look cool.

Also spotlighted are Carlos A. Trista, who covers freestyling on competition stages; Edwin Cruz Delgado, who speaks about the best products. Angel Marcano also looks at the power of color and pattern to boost your creative streak. And the one and only Byrd Mena tells you what you need to do to get your work notices.

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TOOL FOCUS: ELECTRICALS

The biggest names in electricals are here: Cocco Hair Pro, Bevel, Tomb45, Panasonic, BaBylissPRO, Andis, and Wahl share their most exciting releases. This is where you find out what tools are going to up your game this year.

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

Marketing is key to your barbershop’s success, and finding easy-to-use tools that can boost client engagement while saving your business time and money can be a gamechanger. To help barbers build and launch end-to-end email and text message campaigns from scratch, Fresha just added a campaign builder to its suite of marketing tools. 

With a simple drag-and-drop system, you can create content, segment your audience, schedule email sends, and reach out to your clients with text messages. Not only will all those elements help you keep your clients informed, but you can do it all quickly, right from your phone, tablet or computer.

This campaign builder is the newest update to Fresha’s subscription-free suite of barbershop management tools, and it enhancestheir already best-in-class platform. Read on to find out how the campaign builder can help you manage and grow your business right now.

Drag-and-drop builder: This new marketing tool is the industry’s most powerful and intuitive drag-and-drop campaign builder. You don’t need specialised marketing knowledge to make it work for you, and it’s built with busy barbershop owners and staff members in mind.

Free template gallery: The email builder comes with a free gallery full of templates you can use to send messages in minutes. Each template can also be edited to match your shop’s branding, so everything you send out is cohesive.

Emails and text messages: The unique, multichannel campaign function lets you reach clients with email-style content via text messages, or shorter, post-appointment thank you messages that’ll make your clients feel valued.

Simple retargeting: With the campaign builder, you can also retarget your messaging to get more value from your campaigns and reach even more people.

Campaign reporting: You can evaluate all of this activity with enhanced reports that’ll give you visibility of your success so far, and help you make decisions about future marketing activity.

Boosted bookings: Fresha Partners who use this suite of marketing tools have seen at least four times their return on investment from email and text message campaigns. 

Fresha is constantly innovating, and this is just the latest addition to its end-to-end software. That means there’s always more to come, so you can maximise your time and focus on taking care of your clients. Join the 100,000 businesses globally taking barbershop management and client experience to the next level with Fresha – sign up now on fresha.com/for-business.

Wahl Professional, has unveiled its highly anticipated 5 Star Cordless Barber Combo™. This exceptional combo pairs Wahl’s best-selling professional cordless clipper and trimmer in one convenient package. With an upgraded motor on the clipper, DLC blades, and a sleek design, this duo is set to optimize every barber’s workspace. Offering exceptional quality at an affordable price of just $279 (MSRP), professionals won’t want to miss the chance to elevate their craft and station with this remarkable combo.he 5 Star Cordless Detailer® Li trimmer, in a modern black casing with gold blades and details, boasts a T-Wide blade made from high-carbon steel. Featuring cutting-edge titanium and DLC coatings, this new blade maintains a lower temperature, resists corrosion, and offers outstanding durability, making it perfect for precise detailing and fine-line trimming. Additionally, the trimmer comes equipped with an enhanced, full-size clipper motor to cut through all hair textures and densities in just one pass. Matching the sleek black body and gold accents of the trimmer, the 5 Star Cordless Magic Clip® clipper showcases a more powerful motor that effortlessly handles thick, wet, and textured hair, providing exceptional cutting performance. The new titanium and DLC blade surface stays cool and resists corrosion, guaranteeing client comfort and optimal longevity. Renowned Wahl Professional Educator, Garland “G-Whiz” Fox (@thisisgwhizwahlclippers), expresses enthusiasm for the upgraded Cordless Magic Clip and Detailer Li sold as a combo, as well as the space-saving single cord and the cost-effective price of the Cordless Barber Combo™. Fox states, “As a professional, maintaining a clean and efficient workstation is essential, and cordless tools are a no-brainer. Having two high-quality tools charging on a single station with just one cord not only saves space but also adds a cool aesthetic touch.” Barbers and stylists can purchase the 5 Star Cordless Barber Combo™ beginning July 12th for just $279 at wahlpro.com or by visiting their local distributor.

BARBEREVO UK & IRELAND #42 IS OUT NOW!

NEW YEAR, NEW FEATURES

We’re buzzing to announce our new “Of the Edition” features for 2024. Here, we’ll share a Newcomer, Barber, and Barbershop of the Edition. 

Our newcomer is Matt Pearson. Though Matt found the art of barbering later in life, he certainly isn’t short of the talent.

Barber of the Edition is SHABA winner Peter Healy – he tells us his story and why entering competitions is a way to bolster success online and get more people to see your work. 

Barbershop of the Edition goes to Dan’s Barbershop London. There’s colour, creativity, and some great advice for running your business. 

ON THE COVER

We’re proud to have Fellowship PROJECT: Men 2023 shoot on our cover. It’s a sleek take on contemporary styling that we think takes the award for one of our best covers yet.

We had the chance to catch up with the team at the Fellowship for British Hairdressing Fellowship Luncheon at the end of last year and what an incredible way to get to know these star stylists. 

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ALSO we’d like congratulate the new team, too, who we have no doubt will be creating exciting stuff in 2024 – watch this space…

COLUMNISTS

A massive shoutout to our 2024 columnists, Carlie Cardle, Hayden Cassidy and Mark Maciver – welcome to the EVO team, guys!

Carlie is covering skincare, grooming, and everything you need to know abou enriching your service menu for 2024 and beyond.

Hayden – the globe-trotter that she is – is taking us along with her on her travels across cotenants, educating with Andis. This month, she brings us to Japan… style trends and tall tales included!

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Mark is a master business owner of Slider Cuts in London and gives some advice on how to energise your business for 2024. This is how to start the new year right…

Of course, we’re thrilled to have the legendary Simon Shaw, Vikki Harrison Smith, and Alan Beak back for an incredible year of content.

We say this every issue, but you REALLY don’t want to miss this one!!

Get your copy here!

Stephen Farrar, owner of Custom Belmont is joining a band of friends to raise money for the #justicefortommy campaign. Tommy Kneebone was a thriving seven-month-old baby who passed away suddenly. The Kneebone family are raising funds to help cover costs as they strive to obtain justice by challenging the hospital care he received.

Tommy’s father, Josh Kneebone is a barber from Kent who has Strops Barbershop in Crowborough and is a friend of Stephen. Having seen firsthand the devastating effect of losing Tommy, Stephen has decided to raffle off a Takara Belmont Dainty chair to raise funds.

A Takara Belmont Dainty Chair is a much-coveted item to barbers, as it is seen as the pinnacle of quality in barbershop chairs. This is the perfect chance to have this iconic chair in your barbershop for the cost of a £10 donation. They are worth in the region of £1500.00 and he hopes to draw the raffle at the Barber Connect event in June in Telford.

To enter the raffle, please donate what you can. The suggested donation is £10.00, please remember to add your name to be added to the raffle, and support the #justicefortommy campaign. You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/justicefortommy1?utm_term=eRbNx6XyWo,