editor’s letter

We start this issue by first acknowledging the Kabi Kabi and Tugambeh people, traditional custodians of the lands from which be bring you barbershop magazine, we pay respect to their elders past, present, and emerging. A very warm welcome to you one and all wherever you are reading us.

Here we are at the halfway mark, half a year down - half a year to go…How YOU doin’? I hope the answer is that you are doin’ good! I am writing my editors letter in my hotel room just outside London this issue and there is nothing like distance to help you put a bit of perspective on things.

I have to say, visiting some top barber shops and working with some amazing people…barbers, models, and photographers, nothing is different; people with a passion for their craft are the same all over the world and that’s why I love this industry. It doesn’t matter where you are working on the planet if you are with like minded passionate individuals, you are home.

We see this in abundance this issue with Phoenix Thompson, American Crew Global Director of Education coming down under to work with her esteemed Australian team as she takes them through their paces and onboards them with this seasons Ac-iD collection, check it out.

We see it again with 2 of our boys, Fraser Forsey and Jono Tanika Goodwin from the newly announced BaByliss Australian team go stateside to mix it with best of the best at The Connecticut Barber Expo.

They even go to the Barber night of nights gala they have coined The Barber Grammy’s…. but you can’t read about that until next issue.... however, there is BaByliss event news and Frasers blog here so read that.

He is outrageous, boisterous, libidinous, licentious, lubricious…delicious!! He’s Clipper Kayne read about him!!

Our roving reporter Collette Saunders catches up with our two favourite adopted sons Eoin McCarthy and Leigh Winsor for a one on one plus one…. on One Zero One.

Moldielox is in the house!! This Far North Queensland gal is ripping it up in Mackay, lets meet her and check her shop out. And staying in Queensland we go the Gold Coast and meet a business owner who loves our industry and has set up a unique shop that’s killing it let’s go to The Barber Bar, Broadbeach for a beer and a story.

Staying on the Goldy but reaching Melbourne as well, we meet a very special human who has an amazing life and barber story, overcoming enormous obstacles and a diverse career change to excel where his passion now lays bringing his Zeppelin Barbers Brand to a national chain …. plus, side projects! One is a nod to sustainable water container solutions and the other, a couple of hair products. He is Jase Alpen.

Business tips and advice, we have some big guns here this issue. Mario Fallace delivers from Melbourne, Liz McKeon from the UK delivers as does Cat Muir from the Sunshine Coast, all passionate about our industry all generously sharing their expertise in how we can be better at running our businesses, staff and our busy lives read, read, and read.

My mate Chadstone explains how AI and Chat GPT can assist us in making our day to day easier…fascinating stuff.

Jim Shaw gives us a colour tip from the UK, and while we are there lets meet the brothers Oliver and see their shop and work. We have a super exciting piece meeting Phoenix Thompson, the Global Education Director for American Crew and getting an insight into her world, her amazing education teams around the globe and get the skinny on how an AC Collection goes from concept to reality and rolled out to legions of Crew fans in 11 regions around the planet.

This issue, it’s my honour to profile an absolute living legend in our industry here in Australia. Known globally for the same reasons he is loved by us all here for, he leads, he educates and shares his wisdom and he does it with a command and authority over our craft that is graceful and a pleasure to witness, he is of course Mark Rabone, owner and founder of Brisbane’s revered Esquire Male Grooming chain. He’s also a senior educator for both Wahl and American Crew.

Health with the Professor, balding solutions with our expert in that space Lucas Smith, blogs with Fraser Forsey, Anna DeSanctis and Jimmy Rod, we have collections…. News…. Gear…. and more….. this is barbershop magazine issue 12.2 read it!!

Enjoy!!