JOHN CARMONA

AKA TITAN BARBER, USA

BY REX A.C. SILVER

John Carmona, also widely recognised as Titan Barber, has made a significant mark in the barbering world from his base in Denver, Colorado. With a career that bridges the distinct realms of cosmetology and barbering, John has emerged as a critical influencer and educator in the industry.

His journey began with a solid foundation in Sassoon training. He primarily focused on women’s hair cutting and colouring before venturing into barbering in 2016. This transition marked a pivotal shift, allowing him to blend intricate cosmetology techniques with the robust art of men’s grooming.

His philosophy centres on understanding the fundamental aspects of haircutting rather than just the steps to complete a style. This approach has shaped his career and defined his educational endeavours, where he emphasises process and technique to empower other professionals.

His educational sessions are renowned for their depth and focus on technique, drawing attendees from across the globe.

As a co-owner of Barber Theory, a group of modern barbershops across three locations in Denver, Colorado, Carmona fosters a culture of “expression through image,” where style is seen as an extension of personal identity. His influence extends beyond his shops, as he regularly commands stages worldwide as an educator for major brands like Wahl Professional and STMNT Grooming and independently as a platform artist.

John’s commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed. His work has earned him multiple accolades, including the prestigious Behind the Chair One Shot Award and the title of Men’s Groomer of the Year by Modern Salon.

His influence is not limited to a single region. His work has been featured in over 20 magazine publications across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia, attesting to his broad influence and recognition in the field.

In aligning with these brands, Carmona underscores his belief in the importance of reliable tools and products achieving precise and consistent results. These partnerships reflect his dedication to quality and his status as a trusted figure in the barbering community, consistently pushing the boundaries between traditional barbering techniques and contemporary hair artistry.

This is proof of his hectic schedule: John’s second appearance with this masthead and writer sees us catching up with this incredibly talented and progressive artist on the eve of an international tour.

John, tell us about the last 12 months…

The last year of my career has been one of the craziest I have ever experienced. Every year, I think things will slow down, but fortunately, the Barber industry has other plans. Lately, I’ve been concentrating on perfecting my approach to videography (with education).

It opens a lot of doors for people who may otherwise not be able to get (in-person) education, and I’ve become extremely passionate about it as a hobby, too. Other than that, I’ve just been doing the usual classes and shows, meeting new people and making new friends all over the place. Currently I’m getting geared up to go teach in Ukraine and then off to Barcelona for the STMNT grooming summit.

I love the work you are presenting; walk us through this.

It’s actually interesting and a testament to the power of social media at the same time. What you see from me online—almost none of the colours are actually done by me anymore.

I started doing many of the colours myself and then built a name for cutting coloured hair. So, many people getting vibrant colours are coming to me with their colours already done. Other than that, things have inspired me to take classic shapes and find ways to rework them creatively. Sometimes, the outline is already there, and we just need to push it a little bit further for it to make more of a statement.

Tell us about your love for short hair and no gender boundaries…

I worked for many years in the salon, and it was a great experience. It gave me a lot of foundations that I use today. It’s made me realise that cutting hair is just cutting hair, and the gender of the person I am doing the haircut on doesn’t matter. I’ve always expressed an interest in being well-rounded in general, so short hair is my specialty, not necessarily just for male clients.

The shops…

I own three shops in Denver, Colorado, called Barber Theory. I own them half-and-half with my business partner Eric Fuller. Our vibe for the shop was more along the lines of a fashion-forward men’s salon as opposed to just a barbershop. We wanted elements of the barbershop, but we also wanted to feel approachable to anyone regardless of who walked in the door. The energy is welcoming and inviting, and we all strive to do better every single day. I’m very thankful for the staff that I have as well as the clients that sit in our chairs because it gives me energy every single day.

How is your personal Education Platform going? Can you expand on that, please?

While I’m working on a better structure to manage my class requests, I have just been going where the brands I represent send me. I’ve been doing a lot of in-salon classes and large shows. However, I prefer the more intimate courses as they allow me to convey information in an easy-tounderstand way.

Predictions…

It’s always difficult to predict trends because there are so many influences around us. Social media carries a big weight on what becomes popular; unfortunately, that can sometimes be governed by people who don’t do hair.

I think it’s our job to help influence quality work. That being said, I see many people embracing their natural curls, and I hope that trend continues. I think Colour will always be something that people experiment with in the barbershop, but I don’t see it becoming a mainstay as far as a regular service is concerned. That could all change in the future, though.

@titan_barber @barber.theory @rex.a.c.silver