A PLACE TO CALL HOME

Chatting rubbish

Jen started out in the industry straight out of school. “My mum got me a job as an apprentice because I didn't really know what else to do. She said: ‘I’ve got the perfect job for you, chatting rubbish and sweeping floors.’” She fell in love with it and stuck with it. She moved into barbering eight years ago: “I decided to take the leap to barbering. I made the decision when I was travelling around Australia. I basically reinvented myself. Upon my return, I opened Phoney Pony Barbers.”

Hairdressing and barbering in harmony

Jen sees hairdressing and barbering skills as complementary. “I don't think hairdressing and barbering skills are totally divided. I think it’s important to use all your skills.”

She’s says using professional cutting techniques, possibly in combination with clipper work, produces the best result. “Many barbers focus on fading. You can do an amazing skin fade, but it’ll grow out in three days. So it’s important to your client that you focus on what’s on the top because they can control and style it. So if it’s not cut correctly, you're left with a bang-up skin fade. But you can't do anything with the top.”

Everyone is welcome

Diversity is in Phoney Pony’s DNA. Jen explains: “It’s key to my shop. And I mean diversity across the board. Because inclusivity isn’t only for the trans community, the gay community, women and people of colour. It must also be a safe space for straight men.

might have less traditionally manly and rugged interests.”

She says this creates an amazing atmosphere buzzing with energy and new ideas. “My shop has four chairs around each other, so two on each side. We'll have a drag queen on one side and a tech company

So we create a safe space where everyone can talk and not feel judged regardless of your background, gender, sexuality or experiences.”

Hair has no gender

Jen loves that all types of people find common ground in her barber chairs. Everyone is welcome. She says smiling: “If you’ve got hair or did or anything – we’ll cut it. That's it. Like it says on my website: hair has no gender. That can still be hard for some people, especially for women wanting a more masculine style. Or at the start of a trans man’s journey. Many places reject them, saying they don’t cut girls hair. It can be demeaning. Hyper masculinity in a shop can be too much for even a straight guy who

CEO on the other. And a bricklayer on one side and a girl in the other. They have their eyes opened to different things and that’s fantastic. But the bottom line is, if you’re offensive to anyone, we won't cut your hair. You come in, have your mind open, have a great haircut and that's it.”

Sexuality doesn’t affect skills

She says homophobia isn’t tolerated in her shop. She puts the hyper masculine image some barbershops present into perspective with the witty comment: “Every man likes to act big and tough until they accidentally graze their hand across a barber's dick when having their hair cut. I can say that we don’t have homophobia in our shop. Our manager Jacob

Kilgore is gay. And I’m gay. So we don't really have it in the shop anymore. But when I started out, there was some homophobia. I faced more prejudice because of my gender. ‘Oh, you're a girl. Can you cut hair?’ I think being a gay man in the industry is much harder than for a lesbian. But your sexuality doesn't affect your barber skills. If you want that person to cut your hair, it doesn’t matter who they're sleeping with.”

Smack ‘em around

Has Jen encountered discrimination as a woman working in barbering? “Oh, absolutely. Dealing with men can be an intimidating for a woman, because they don't always take you seriously. But you gradually learn how to handle it. Hold your ground. You don't have to change who you are. This is who I am. So I always say: they’re in your chair. Smack ‘em around.

They like it. Get on with the job. Be blunt. Be aggressive. You want a haircut or not? And afterwards they say, ‘I got a fantastic haircut from a chick.’ Brilliant.” my ideas. But my shop is my bread and butter. So it's important not to confuse the two. Performing is an adventure. Returning to the barber shop is coming home. It’s what pays my bills; I love my shop. My staff are my little Phoney Pony family. So it’s good to choose your focus and not try to do everything at once.”

Any plans to grow Phoney Pony? “No, there’s one Madonna, one Tina Turner, God rest her, and one Elvis. If you get too big, you could lose the quality and the atmosphere. I don't want to lose that intimacy we’ve got here.” She says there’s another plus

Stage presence

Having won the Great British Barber of the Year 2018 title, Jen is no stranger to international stages. She recently performed live with Brody Raeside at BarberSociety Live in Amsterdam. How was it? “The event was brilliant. The stage was great, with a fantastic big video screen at the back. There was a super vibe. It was an all-round great day.”

Jen enjoys taking part in barbering events but says it’s important to set priorities. “International events let me travel and share

Your sexuality doesn’t affect your barber skills

Looking to the future

Where does Jen see herself five years from now? She replies laughing: “Oh, I hope I’m still breathing. But seriously, hopefully I’ll still be cutting hair, but you never know what’s around the corner.” She adds with a chuckle: “My partner is the tattoo apprentice at the tattoo parlour we have here. So maybe I’ll be a kept woman in five years.” point to sticking with one location: “We work opposite a pub, so it's always very good after work. We only have to walk 20 steps.”

Sound advice

Does Jen have any advice for the international barbering community? “Always keep learning. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have, keep asking questions. That's how you get better.”