The Rise of the Barberette

BARBERETTE: NOUN: GENDER NEUTRAL: A HAIRDRESSER WHO CROSSED OVER TO BARBERING.

The Australian Hairdressing Council has recently championed a program to encourage hairdressers to gain barber qualifications by a fast-tracking process in association with TAFE NSW. This may open a whole new world to some and reignite the passion for hair within.

This brings us to the very special story of a very special Barberette.

Jayde Davis loved everything about hairdressing but almost chucked in the towel until she found barbering. Jayde didn’t like the salon world but loved everything else about hair and caring in the way we do for people and especially the creative output that gives her so much joy in the career that provides her a living.

Please tell us about your Hair journey starting in hairdressing and how you came about discovering barbering and when you knew this was your true hair calling.

I started my hair journey at 21 really, having little direction, not really knowing what I wanted to do with my life and made the move to Brisbane hoping a change of scenery would inspire me, I took the first job excepted me “a first-year apprentice hairdresser in a boutique salon.

I was excited to be working in a creative industry with so many glamorous people. Being a small-town girl, the city was big for me, feeling home sick and I came back to Gladstone. After developing my skills and feeling confident in my abilities I applied for a position with Rex Silver at Silver Salon. Rex opened my eyes to the possibilities of where our industry could take me, by doing exclusive training, photo shoots and creating his own product line. I no longer saw hairdressing as just a job, I was excited to see how far I could go.

While working at Silver salon I dabbled in barbering because Rex also opened a barbershop, Garage Barber shop. Between clients I would go down and help the barbers downstairs I got swept up in the hustle and how busy the environment was.

Silver Salon was high-end, serving clients Champaign and one on one experiences; the Garage was cool, laid back but still had quality that kept the place packed. I loved it. Eventually a position became available, and I jumped at the chance. I was daunted by using a cutthroat razor and not knowing what a skin fade was, but I knew this is what I needed, I worked my way up to manager and found my direction.

Sadly, Rex announced he was selling the barber shop and saying goodbye to Gladstone. Losing my mentor, I didn’t know what my next step would be, but to my surprise I found out that I would know my new boss very well, it was my sister! After unfortunately losing her husband in a trucking accident, she felt she could trust me to carry on running the barber shop that had been set up for success and Shed barber shop was born. I have 6 years in barbering now and I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.

What is it that you love about barbering?

I love how quickly barbering evolves, it feels like there is a new trend every week, it keeps me on my toes, weither it’s a movie star or footballer running onto the field with a new style. Men are starting to change the way they incorporate their hair into their style and are using hair as an accessory, not just having a haircut, out of necessity. It’s refreshing seeing men taking care and treating themselves and the joy it brings to me knowing I have helped with a person’s confidence is why I have fallen in love with this industry.

There is a program about to start which you are part of through the AHC, tell us about that.

Sandy Chong CEO of AHC, along with TAFE NSW is helping hairdressers that are interested in barbering to get into the field. Weither they are currently working in the industry or have left and come back into it. It’s called Project Barber. I’m helping out with doing some short tutorials of tips and tricks I have found along the way that make my job a little easier or help with trouble areas like shaping the hair around ears, getting clean blends, and knowing how to cut crazy crowns and cowlicks. It’s a great way to get people trying new things and it doesn’t have to be a complete career change.

What advice would you give a hairdresser thinking of crossing over to barbering.

As hairstylist we have so much passion for what we do, but your career doesn’t have to be one note. Sometimes our passion can be dimed, but we are in an industry that is constantly evolving. Long gone are the days of just a short back and sides, men want to be pampered too. I have found excitement again and you could too.

Jayde Davis @shedbarbershop_

For more information on Project Barber www.theahc.org.au/project-barber