ICONIC MELBOURNE BARBERSHOP -

UNCLE ROCCO'S

By Louise May

Tucked away in the back streets of Port Melbourne. Uncle Rocco’s specialise in classic barber services and solid barbershop banter!

Owner Fab’s extensive barbering career spans over 33 years across Australia, the US & UK, with the Uncle Rocco’s brand launching its original barbershop in Fennell St, Port Melbourne back in 2011.

Having opened and operated three previous barbershops in various locations across Melbourne dating back to 1996, and as a third-generation barber, Fab has developed a unique and unrivalled barbering style consistently sought out by those seeking quality and authenticity.

His experience and passion for the trade is reinforced in all Uncle Rocco’s barbers, which is apparent through the client’s superior experience at every appointment.

After numerous incarnations over the past 11yrs, the Uncle Rocco’s brand most cultivated barbershop and HQ is now located in the historic, converted Soap Factory in Port Melbourne with a team of experienced barbers.

Growing the brand for a decade has also given rise to a premium range of Uncle Rocco’s hair and grooming products, apparel and other lifestyle products designed and made in Melbourne.

Barbershop Editor Louise May chats with Fab about his journey, his brand, and his tools of choice.

You are a third Generation Barber, tell us a little about what it was like growing up surrounded by this and was it always something you felt you would follow the footsteps in?

I started my journey to becoming a barber by working in my dad’s barbershop during school holidays. A job I did at the time because I had no choice. But that would soon change when I decided to do a hairdressing apprenticeship.

At that time there were no specific training courses for barbers, so after a 4yr apprenticeship and another 2years working as a head stylist, I headed to Europe in 1991 for advanced cutting courses in London and to get international work experience, where I landed my first real barbering job in Manchester.

I later jumped around between Melbourne and LA and finally opened my first barbershop in 1995 in the innercity Melbourne suburb of Richmond.

What do you love most about the industry?

The most rewarding part about being a barber is the long-term relationships you build with your clients, being part of a community, cutting generations of family’s hair, celebrating milestones with clients you’ve known for decades in some cases and constantly connecting with new different types of people.

I’ve cut the hair of everyone from an ex-con that just stepped out of prison to famous musicians to the President of a country.

What does it take to work at Uncle Rocco’s?

A passion for the industry and a positive attitude. For me the customer is number one. I want them to feel looked after and walk out feeling better about themselves. Of course, top notch barbering skills are important, but it goes beyond that.

It’s creating a positive environment where the customer feels not only like their grooming needs are being attended to thoughtfully, but where they’re part of a community. That community is for the barbers and staff too in the form of an interesting and supportive environment.

The grooming products have been an ongoing evolutionary process. It started with creating three distinct hair pomade formulas that reflect the culmination of three generations of barbering knowledge and knowing what works on different types of hair.

Please tell us a little about the grooming products, apparel, and other accessories you sell to your clients and how did you source and choose these?

The formulas have been tweaked and honed over time with the help of a chemist and manufacturer scrutinising everything from ingredients, texture, scent, longevity, packaging, and logo.

Over time other products like after shave, beard oil and hair powder have been added to the range. The apparel has been more of a creative outlet reflecting some of my own personal tastes for street ware, sportswear, vintage, denim, etc.

After so many years, the release of a new t-shirt has become synonymous for Uncle Rocco’s with many clients having a collection of tees dating back years, even decades.

You are an advocate of the Pro-One Range of Clippers and Trimmers. Why do you love the range, do you have a favourite and why would you recommend it to others?

With so many clippers on the market these days it can be tricky finding a clipper that fulfils your specific needs. I enjoy the quality of the Pro-One range and its generational story, not unlike my own. All the range has been great so far, but the Pro-One GTX cordless trimmer would be my favourite.

They feel good in the hand and get the job done well! Our shop manager, Roddy loves his Pro-One Zero Foil Shaver, as they’re a wet & dry use with an integrated trimmer that captures longer hair. I would recommend anyone who’s looking for a quality, reliable product, give the range a go.

Do you have a signature service and/ or what is your favourite style and cut?

Uncle Rocco’s signature service is simply high quality, traditional barber skills, including face shaves and classic cuts. Although barbering has exploded as a popular industry again over the past 15years, some of the more genuine barbering skills have been lost in all the hype.

My own personal, favourite style of cut is a classic, rock-a-billy style or gentlemen’s style cut. I still love anything vintage!

How do you keep up to date with current hair fashion trends?

Having a sharp eye for detail helps. Obviously, I take notice of social media, celebs, influencers, and the fashion industry, but honestly, I notice emerging trends all around me every day. Unfortunately, I can’t watch a movie or a sporting event without scrutinising people’s hair. It’s just a natural habit.

What education do you offer your staff?

Uncle Rocco’s provides mentoring to all the barbers that come through the door, especially the younger or emerging ones. It’s typical for myself, the shop manager, or other more senior barbers to stay back late to do training nights regularly.

Many of our barbers have worked their way up through the ranks, from the front desk, to schooling, to junior barber and eventually full-fledged barber. It’s not uncommon to have one of the barbers in training or junior barbers observing another barber as they cut a client’s hair getting pointers on techniques as they go.

What’s next on the plan for Uncle Rocco’s and you?

The main plan is to keep the barbering bar set high for the shop and the industry. On a more personal level I’m enjoying passing the torch to the younger generation of emerging barbers.

Professionally I’d love to continue growing the Uncle Rocco’s grooming products as a brand outside the barbershop and seeing it continue to flourish with an even larger audience.

@uncleroccos @muimports_au