The Barber Bandit

BY REX A.C. SILVER

A truly gifted artist and an amazing human being, Bruce Leeroy balances his time between the many loves in his life, bestowing each with the same passion and focus he affords his one love we know him for, his Barbering… and does so with ease.

Bruce doesn’t seem to think it’s a big deal being able to flow between being a father, a husband and as you will see, a mutitalented artist, educator, and humanitarian so seamlessly. To Bruce, his world is intertwined, and everything is one.

From very humble beginnings he has built an amazing life that’s built around very strong foundations and beliefs he holds true and close to his chest, and he proves when the infrastructure of and within yourself is solid…. anything’s possible.

So, let’s meet Bruce Leeroy, over to you….

As a youth and someone who came up from being a firstgeneration Cambodian in Australia, we didn’t have much growing up. I grew up in Logan, a place known for being a low socioeconomic demographic area but for me, it was a place which moulded me into who I am today. A place rich in culture, with an abundance of community (because it was mainly condensed with immigrants given a second chance for a better life) and diversity from all parts of the world.

We may have not had wealth in terms of money, but we had infinite wealth in family. So, as an outlet for entertainment I was always wanting to try new things and allowing myself to be creative. At a young age I took a liking to drawing, whether it was from scribbling on walls as a kid to sketching in my notepad at school, it was my way of creating art. Being able to take my love for art in all aspects has definitely contributed to how I look at barbering.

First and foremost, I am a father, a family man, then a barber.

My love I have for my 3 daughters is a love I never thought could be possible. When I say being a dad is the best thing that has happened in my life so far, I truly mean it. Let’s not take away the love I have for my amazing partner Allessandia, who has been the backbone of our family. She has supported me in every decision I’ve made and has definitely been my number 1 supporter. So, in times where I do doubt myself within my business and personal life, she has always been the catalyst in pushing me forward.

When and how did you discover Barbering?

The first time I ever stepped foot into a barbershop that resembled what I had seen in movies, I instantly fell in love. The vibe, the music, the community, and the culture within the shop had me captivated more and more every time I visited. That was when I decided to pick up my first pair of clippers. I was 16, I had no idea on how to cut hair, but I knew it was something I wanted to try and would be passionate about.

This is where the perks of having a big family comes into play. Each and every one of my cousins were my guinea pigs. Then the word got out at school and next thing you know I was doing home cuts for my friends. It wasn’t until I was fresh out of high school eager to learn and develop my skills, I gathered enough courage to ask the barbershop that made me fall in love with it all if they would be open to me giving me a job.

It was SPASIFIK CUTS that gave me the opportunity to be me and develop my skills in the barber industry. I had a mentor by the name of Nicky Pati, the biggest lesson he taught me was to be a sponge and to always be a student. Trust me it was hard at the beginning, I was a young 18-year-old kid, cutting in a barbershop full of amazing talent with little to no experience.

Cutting alongside some of the OGs of the game, they have been the catalyst in allowing me to absorb the knowledge not only on how to cut hair but multiple key aspects of barbering as a whole. As they were all older, they all took me in under their wings and taught me valuable lessons. I’m grateful that every barber I have shared the floor with, has contributed and played a part in my journey so far.

When did you collectively open The Loft, please tell us how that whole partnership formed?

Working alongside Lorenzo and Lance for several years and showcasing our talents at hair events, it was only right that we decided to join forces and open up our own barbershop. So, in 2015, we decided to follow our dreams and do something for “US”, that is when we opened what you all know of today “THE LOFT BARBERSHOP”. We wanted to create a place where people from all walks of life felt welcomed, united, heard, whilst at the same time got the freshest haircut as well.

Being a place of 95% of the people walking through the door were males, we wanted to give them an experience like no other. Where they could rest their shoulders, enjoy some music, have a laugh, and speak to us about whatever it was they wanted to. With 4 out of the 7 barbers being actual family, we have really created a brotherhood within our workspace. The passion and love we all have for the industry is what makes us hold our quality of cuts and service to the highest standard.

Tell us about becoming an educator.

My journey into the education scene has been my biggest hurdle yet my greatest joy. Growing up I wasn’t the best at public speaking. I was always that kid asking to do my oral presentations at the end of the day, so it’s only right before every show my nerves can get the better of me. But, now that I’ve been able to step into the education scene more, it has given me realisation of the bigger purpose and that is the gratitude and ability to share my love for barbering with likeminded individuals.

Being able to showcase my craft and dissect my knowledge in how I see barbering to people that were in my shoes when I was just starting in the industry, is what I love about the education scene. Because at the end of the day, we are all students to this thing we call life. With the education, comes ample amounts of opportunity to be able to connect and work with big name brands. I’ve had the honour of working for companies like Wahl & iCandy Scissors throughout my time as a barber.

I am still an ambassador for iCandy Scissors which I’m truly grateful for. Being able to partner up with a company that not only has the same morals and values as you do but being so open to listening to what we as barbers want and need is a blessing. Mark and Vicki have really made me feel welcomed and a part of their growing family.

Tools – What are your favs?

With the fast-growing barbering industry comes a vast selection of barber tools and equipment to choose from and here’s my choice of the ones I love to use. My scissors would of course be from ICANDY SCISSORS. Right now, it has to be a battle between my ALL STAR 5.5 yellow gold scissors and my new beasts the SWORD PRO’S 6.1 yellow gold.

Let me explain why I have two. When it comes to detailing, I love the ability of having more control with the shorter length scissor but in terms of overall cutting, slicing, scissor over comb, it definitely goes to my sword pro’s. Both of them are amazing ergonomically in the hand, giving you great comfort and less strenuous on your wrist. My go to clippers right now has to be the GAMMA boosted. Lightweight, ergonomically feels amazing in your hand and the powerful 7200 rpm motor gives the ability to cut through hair with ease.

I’ve added their tapper blade as opposed to the original cutting blade which gives me the ability IMO to pick up hair nicely and be able to fade out the hair soft and nice. My trimmers are in my opinion the best trimmer to have ever come out in the scene and that is the BABYLISS PRO FX TRIMMERS. Just in a class of its own when it comes to being a trimmer. Powerful, lightweight, doesn’t catch hair and it being all gold is just a bonus.

My shavers would definitely be the BRAUN series 9 shaver. A beast when it comes to taking out bulk and especially comes in handy when you’re dealing with people who have thick hair. My most comfortable shaver not only ergonomically for myself but for my clients as well (in their words, “it feels like a massage”).

And Products?

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to test and try various products. One of my favourite products I have loved using within my work has definitely been within the MUK haircare range. FILTHY MUK: Best utilised in short-medium length hair. Gives it a nice gritty yet flexible finish. I love applying this when the hair is damp, then blow drying to your preferred style. I would recommend this product for people usually wanting a nice soft looking slick back.

DRY MUK: Gives you an intense matte finish with the ability to create great texture. This is a product I use before I do apply volumizing powder if I’m wanting more control. I would recommend this product for people wanting a messy overall finish yet the flexibility to recreate multiple looks.

Our biggest seller of product in store has definitely got to be IMMORTAL’S volumizing powder and one I really love using. The consistency is just perfect when it comes to styling, I love adding it into slightly damp hair then utilizing the blow dryer to manipulate it into the shape I desire. I would recommend this product to people who want a more natural finish to their style. A personal favourite which I use myself tied in with some hairspray to seal the preferred style.

You also do a lot of photography/videography. Can you tell us about this side hussle of yours?

My love for art is across the board whether it be from barbering, fashion, music and now to capturing moments. Which is why I automatically fell in love with photography/videography. It has been a hobby of mine for the last 5 years but with the support of my partner (plus her getting sick of me always buying new equipment without any return), I’ve taken that next step and ventured into doing it as a profession on the side.

CAPSULE MEDIA, gives me the space and opportunity to be creative outside of being a father and barber. Capturing the special moments whether it be from weddings to engagement shoots and being able to witness that behind the lens is why I love it. What’s not to love about gifting people a priceless memory that they can hold onto forever.

At the end of the day, I think everything I do ties in altogether. From barbering where I get to make people look and feel good to capturing these moments where I get to show people their true beauty.

You are also passionate about is helping others. Please tell us about that aspect of yourself.

As my journey in barbering has been amazing, the journey and relationships I’ve built with everyone who’s had a seat in my chair has been even more so amazing. When I started barbering, all I thought about was the haircut itself and not the opportunity I would be getting to build these foundations with people within my community.

The barbershop is not only a place where we as men get to have great haircuts but a place where we can have the opportunity to let our shoulders down, be a place where we are heard, a place of brotherhood and a place where we can be there for one another.

We all know how so many men suffer from mental health, so why not use our platform to be the catalyst in giving the opportunity for men to speak about their emotions and be heard. We are more than just barbers, we are brothers. Like the saying says, “Changing the world, one haircut at a time”.

At the end of the day, we are all students to this thing we call life..