From Accidental Beginnings to Award Winning Success

BY LOUISE MAY

Luke Munn’s journey into men’s hairdressing might have started by chance, but it has led to a career filled with accolades and recognition. Based in Adelaide, Luke has become a standout in the industry, with his creative flair and dedication earning him numerous awards, including the prestigious 2024 AHIA Men’s Hair Specialist of the year! Known for pushing boundaries and constantly evolving his craft, Luke’s work is as unique as it is inspiring.

Editor Of Barbershop Louise May recently caught up with Luke to chat about his recent AHIA win, the industry, and his other passions outside of the industry!

Tell us where your love for Hair all began?

You know, whenever I get asked this question, I wish I could say that my journey and love for hair started in some really cool way or that I was born into some form of hair industry life. But 100% transparency, Men’s Hairdressing for me was a complete accident. I attended an RTO info night out of sheer interest with no intentions, it was there they captured my attention, and I’d say 3-4 months later I couldn’t leave the house without thinking about hair, I was living and breathing all things Barbering/Men’s Hair. An accident I’ll forever be grateful for, as this industry has given me more than I could ask for.

Describe Havachat Barbershop, how long have you been in business? what makes it unique, what do you love most about it?

Havachat Barbershop, where do I begin? We’ve been trading for almost 3 years now! A small 2-chair, men’s hair oasis. The name Havachat actually comes from my late grandfather because much like me, you couldn’t shut him up.

I think what sets us apart and what makes us unique is partly the size of what we do. We’re a small operation, this means that it’s more about the client and the community than anything else. Relationships with those clients and seeing them take on life and supporting them through the good and the bad is what I really love about what I do.

What do you love most about men’s hairdressing and why?

Men’s Hairdressing. Exactly that. The shift in the last few years from your “traditional” barbering to the growth of the men’s hair industry. I think that finally, we are seeing that Men’s hair is more than a 2 back and sides, hair is hair, and men are now more invested in themselves and how they look/feel. Watching this industry grow and develop, the constant desire to better yourself means that we can keep pushing the envelope on “Men’s Hairdressing”

Tell us about your 2024 AHIA winning Collection. Can you describe the creative process behind this collection? How did you develop the initial idea? What inspired you?

My creative process is very different to others, some put together extensive mood boards and briefs and have things really nailed down. I’m a little rawer than that. I definitely have an idea and a style that I want to achieve but to be honest I spend little time over-stimulating myself with a million different things and just keep the planning to the minimum where possible.

The initial idea is usually sparked from something I’ve seen or an image that has inspired me, I then compile some imagery and textures I think would suit, mood boarding is generally vague. I like to leave myself open to variety on the day. I feel like sometimes when you’re so set on a look on the day and you can’t seem to quite get that, you feel horrible. Being flexible allows me to go with the flow and just create really cool hair.

My main outcome from this collection was to push the boundary and create something completely unique and not seen before within the men’s realm. Focusing not only on the hair but on the overall styling of the imagery using harsh lighting and reflective material.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of creating this collection?

I think with this collection the thing that stands out most to me apart from other collections I have created is that the idea and the development of this shoot was 100% me. There were ideas and images that the team discussed that weren’t necessarily agreeable across the board on what could be put together to create an award winning collection. But I had a vision, a desire to showcase myself as a stylist and do something completely out of the ordinary while still being on the edge of commercial.

How do you balance the creative side of industry and the business side?

My biggest day to day struggle. I’m constantly battling my own self-doubt, and my own issues that come with the creative side of the industry. As I’m sure so many reading this will know, allowing yourself the be judged on your work or putting stuff out there via social media etc is daunting as hell, in some ways has really caused issues for our industry. However, I think that in previous times I’ve allowed my walls to come down and allow myself to worry less about “perfect”. I’m just a dude from Adelaide who loves cutting hair. I’m always on a knife’s edge when it comes to where my time and resources should be placed and I think what it really comes down to is, what’s more important to you as an individual?

How do you think winning the AHIA 2024 Best Men’s Specialist award will impact your career and future projects?

I think that this award is special, it’s my first time winning in this category under this platform. It allowed me to continue my journey within the hair industry and build the connections and platform I need to showcase who I am as a stylist and to educate the next generation of stylists.

How do you see the men’s hair industry evolving, and how do you plan to innovate within it?

I think the Men’s industry is only scratching the surface of what It can be. I would love to see a shift back towards what drew me to this industry in the first place and that was a sense of community. I think that it’s clear our industries are no longer separate and that slowly hair is just becoming hair. My goal is to continue to work on bridging the gap of what was traditionally barbering and hairdressing. Continue to push the boundaries of Men’s Hairdressing and educate.

What are your Preferred tools and why?

I’m fortunate enough to be part of the Australian JRL Education team and I must say, I love their stuff. Excellent Edges for scissors, you’re mad if you’re sleeping on this.

I hear you are a very keen golfer... what’s the best course you have played on to date? What do you love most about the game?

Secrets out, not really… you only have to watch my Instagram stories to see that I’m on the golf course arguably more than I should be. But hey, “admin day”. The best course to date is here in Adelaide, Kooyonga Golf Club.

And you are a DJ! That’s cool, can you tell us about this?

11 years and counting. Not a hell of a lot to say, this has taken a massive backseat in recent times with me focusing more on the salon and family. However, I’m still occasionally kicking around in some dark room to god awful hours of the morning.

What are you listening to on your Spotify playlist right now?

Owww, Tough one. A fellow DJ and good friend of mine Dan has a substantial number of playlists on Spotify. But at the moment his playlist Dadfoe, all curated to his dad's taste, is getting rinsed on the daily. Think Funk, Jazz, Soul and even a sprinkle of disco.

What’s on the agenda for next 12 months?

Finishing 2024 focusing on business growth and really using historically the busiest time of the year to build and develop that. Take some time off early next year then hit the ground running in 2025 launching some education classes and continuing to just be Luke, the dude from Adelaide that loves to cut hair.

@havachat.barbershop