shibui Sustainability

Melbourne’s shibui salon has been recognised for “Salon Sustainability Leadership” in Australia at the Kao Salon Global Experience held in October in Amsterdam. Kao Salon has a strong foundation of existing sustainability activities and ethical business operations. A focus on a sustainable future forms an integral part of Kao Salon partnerships.

shibui salon in South Yarra, Victoria is an award-winning salon that has been leading the way in ‘low fuss’ hair for over three decades. Their freehand/dry cutting, natural approach, and a preference to use hands rather than a brush became the essence of the brand.

“Kao Salon Australia is so thrilled shibui has been recognised globally for their outstanding commitment to sustainability in salon. Brent and shibui lead the way in incorporating best practices in the way they run their salon. From employees, clients and salon partners, sustainability is at the core of all business decisions” said Rita Marcon, General Manager Kao Salon ANZ.

Sustainability is at the forefront of shibui’s business partnering with Sustainable Salons Australia since 2017 as well as opting into a carbon neutral energy provider. Employees are encouraged to invest their superannuation in ethical funds and clients are invited to return their empties (of salon brands) for recycling for a 10% discount on retail sales.

“When I first embarked on my hair path 30 years ago, I remember thinking that in its essence, hairdressing is a pure pursuit; needing only scissors and comb to ply the craft. And that was a very attractive prospect for me. Now the commercial realities are inescapable but the ideal of the pure hairdresser is still within our capabilities and that‘s what I want shibui to be” says Brent Barber, owner shibui.

Editor Louise May chats with owner Brent about his 30 years in the industry and the Shibui brand.

Tell us how the shibui salon and philosophy were born? How did it come about?

I’m told that it was in part due to a trip Rob Hastie made to Paris years ago. After having worked at Sassoon’s in London he was a bit disillusioned with the structured methodology and saw something interesting in the way the Parisian’s went about managing their hair. It was more about little tweaks here and there, on dry hair as needed and worn in the effortless way the French do so well.

Another pivotal moment happened in New York where he saw a salon practising dry cutting and the seed of the idea was planted. Rob eventually returned to Melbourne with his experiences ruminating around in his ever-curious mind and when shibui was born, this was the beginning of the evolution and journey into what it became.

shibui is renowned for a low-fuss approach to hair, with a free hand, dry cutting approach. What inspired this?

After seeing different approaches and working overseas for years, Rob wanted to bring something new and interesting to the industry and it had to be authentic and purposeful. After lots of experimenting and collaborating with his partners, Tracey Colebrook, and Dean Halcome,

they worked out that dry cutting allowed the cutter and client to see the hair in its real and everyday state. This was quite different to the traditional way of working which put as much emphasis on the styling of the hair as it did the cutting. Cutting hair in its natural form and removing weight in a clever and considered way, created space for the hair to move. It freed it up allowing it to find its way. No more hiding behind styling - cutting was the key

You are personally celebrating 30 years in business, and shibui 40 years what milestones! what’s been your secret to success and longevity?

A true love for the act of cutting hair, I guess. I still get a kick out of helping people realise the worth and intrinsic beauty of their own hair type. Also working among so many different and interesting people helps keep it interesting. But I’ve also deliberately made moves and taken steps to challenging myself and keep it interesting - Like taking on a partnership with an emerging salon group in India! I never thought that would be part of my story when I started my apprenticeship back in February 1993.

Your Biggest challenge so far?

Grappling with the cultural and workplace differences in India and the shifting dynamics of our workplace culture here in Melbourne in the past 12 months, have both been hugely challenging times in my career. I know enough now to know that there will be more challenges to come. It’s about how you view them, and I think that’s also one of the benefits of longevity; you get a broader perspective on things.

Proudest achievement?

Geez - where to start… Finishing my apprenticeship? Moving to London? Winning British Men’s Hairdresser of the year? Taking the plunge in India and building the business? Taking on shibui and all that that means - particularly as we enter into the 40th year of shibui? There are so many steps on the journey that are so pivotal and important at the time

How do you keep your team striving for excellence?

I’m super lucky to be working alongside some great people. It’s all about maintaining your own personal and professional standards so that others can see what it takes

What and who has inspired you over the last 30 years in the industry?

There have been so many… My wife and business partner Rejoice is a constant source of inspiration. Her positivity is amazing. The city of London was an inspirational place. So much diversity and creativity. What Rob and Tracey did to make shibui what it is, took so much belief and determination and that’s so inspiring. Working on the floor with Simon Farrelly day in day out is always inspiring. He has such an open way of looking at the world and brings that to his cutting practice in a beautiful and holistic way.

shibui is leading the way in sustainable practices in the hairdressing industry, what motivated this?

Just an innate sense that we have to change our ways. We can’t just keep taking from the very thing that sustains us without some serious consequences - which we are now seeing in real time. It’s a journey that’s for sure. Whilst we’ve taken some steps in the right direction, there are plenty more to take. We’re currently looking at ethical banking as another way we can do our bit.

How would your team describe you?

Hmmm… depends on who you ask and on what day!? I’d like to think that most would say I bring a certain kind of calm, consistent focus to the team

You’ve been a long-standing salon partner with KAO, what are your favourite Goldwell and KMS products?

KMS has been part of my hair story since before I started my apprenticeship. The salon I went to as a teen, and where I subsequently started my apprenticeship, stocked KMS and the smell of the KMS Styling Gel takes me back to those early days. These days, I can’t go past KMS Moist Repair - Revival Creme. It’s so good as a soft natural styler for so many of our cuts and the Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair 60 Second Treatment is another go to for our colour clients.