The last time I’d blogged was in 2015 following a run on Professional Hairdresser online, as they followed my #barberlife – how the landscape has changed for barbers in recent years is incredible, even how we communicate to our clients, and each other. The popular hashtag identifies us all, and it’s with great interest that I use it, and follow it.
What’s luxury to you, and luxury to me could be miles apart and it’s down to our tastes that would define that I think you’d agree. Over the year, I’ve been working with some great brands, and barbershops including restructured salons, doing what I have a love for, education and creating standards, part of our British Barbers Association mandates.
What’s on offer now, has brought luxury to the appeal of the barbershop. Looking at historical establishments, service offer was always clear and defined, but now in 2016 exfoliation, face steaming, options and choices are all available.
Recognising the changing face of barbering has created enormous interest in retraining, or advanced training, matching trend with skill, and why not, to keep competitive, embracing these new factors in the market place can only be a positive way forward. Think back years ago, we probably wouldn’t have been interested in how to use beard oil, now, it’s a different story.
On a walk around central London dropping in to barbershops and salons that I work with, the steps forward are there, and the chairs are being filled. Creative cutting, and indeed the complete men’s grooming experience are available – and it’s great to see this. Education will always be at the backbone of it all, without the investment in skills to provide the luxury shaves, and added services, is necessary.
That’s not the only thing I’d noticed on my written adventure, it cast my mind to how barbershops have evolved, and barbershop environments have become even more inviting. We’ve seen lots of different brands turn up the dial on interiors, but even with this the balance of comfortable and with the times, is equally measured.
All in all the face of the barbershop is changing and the appeal is matched by the quality on offer. Education is rooted in my daily life, and understand how these, for example, successful brands have built robust businesses.
For me, I’ve just opened a new barbershop at Chandos Place, Covent Garden. A new direction for myself, but a welcome one. Education is still key to my journey and while the barbershop is fully functional, there’s also now a central London academy to fulfill the many Envy Barber courses.
Enjoy your #barberlife – and if you’re at any events, lets get together!   
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