BLOG SPOT. WHAT GOES AROUND with Collette Saunders I love the seventies. I ought to, I was right there. Growing up with the best music, the best cars, the best hair. We were throwing perm on our attitude, it was all about streaks, a shag and a good blow dry. I love that the vibe is back in our cutting today. Longer lengths, layers for curly and straight and the textured edges. Nothing I love more than whipping the scissors and razor out and just moving with the hair. One thing I’m seeing moving back into men’s styling is the perm. Use it for root lift, use it for gentle movement. It’s s making longer top lengths look lived in moving away from the slicked back look that’s been dominating with the skin fades and gives a pomp the pump it needs for extra height and hold. Yep, get ready to dust off the curling rods and if you haven’t learned how to do one yet then there’s your cue. Really excited to mention a lil’ competition I ran in November last year for @australianfemalebarbers . AFBA “Her Shot Aus” was born. An online submission of a 2 Piece Collection shot from the chair or in the shop with no professional photography or artistic enhancement. Read about the 1st place winner with her featured article in the pages of this issue. I am very proud of each and every one who entered. So now that you have had a taste of the competition world, having your work scrutinized, I hope that it will encourage you to have confidence to enter it again this year and go on to larger comps; one in particular this year! The inaugural Australian Modern Barber Awards - AMBA. Showcase your personal collection, and/or product label if you have a business, in this newly created event. This year sees the launch of the AMBA from Mocha Publishing (publishers of barbershop magazine and owners of various hair and beauty award platforms) who have created these awards solely for the barbering industry. Entries open 22 Feb 2021 with an Aug deadline. Winners announced Sept and an awards night in Melbourne in November. There is plenty of time to create your Collection and if you have a business product label then submit it, as this is a newly created entry category bringing
recognition to barbering product specifically. And speaking of labels this time of year is the best time to seek out those newbies and locally Australian made producers of hair and beard product. If there has ever been a time to buy local it’s here and now. Aussies ... support your people!!! I hope that everyone has followed @hairfestival with the debut of the newly formed multi-faceted event and revamped AHIA. New venue at Carriageworks on Queens Birthday weekend with a new look and new vibe is brought together by Australia’s best teams in media and publishing. It’s on 13/14 June in Sydney, and by the time it comes around it’s going to be the biggest thing to happen for us all since mid 2019. Get your email updates at the Hair Festival website www.hair festival.com.au Across the pond our industry is still immobilised by Covid, but that has not stopped the ones that are looked up to in our industry from diversifying and creating brilliant content online. I recently had a conversation with Garry Spence of Great British Barber Bash about the newly formed Barber Club. For a small fee of £5 a week they are presenting the best live tutorials on the Barber Club Facebook account. Basic demos for beginners through to live cutting from the best creatives to get your Inspo on. We’re talking about Leah Hayden-Cassidy, Alan Beak, Ollie Foster, Sean Casey and more. Demos and regular focus on photography, social media, business and many other important industry topics. I’ve discovered a UK based Mag called Zero Gapped Magazine. Noticed it late last year and I love the concept. Recent conversations with the Editor, Ruby, reveals her passion for the gap in our industry for a female focused barbering publication. This Mag is not limited to UK female barbers, but features worldwide. The second edition should be available online as we speak. Check it out and learn about what the ladies are bringing to the table and show our sisters around the world some love! 52 Barber Shop Year 10 Issue 1
Meanwhile back on the Island we are seeing some brilliant initiatives in the education sector. The Jack Reed Foundation and it’s 99 New Beginnings Project is seeing some real corners turned. They’ve received some solid support recently from Area Academy in Melbourne, whose launch party was a fundraiser for the Foundation with $3500 raised. Eoin McCarthy and Leigh Windsor are powering on with their “Concept” Courses bringing up to the minute cutting techniques for all sectors of the hair industry and combining future Fundraisers for JRF across Australia in 2021. Danny and Laura Banford @heartsandminds_ barber last year opened their education facility above their 2nd Barbershop in Wyong, Central Coast. Their Modern Barber workshops are pulling in passionate people cementing knowledge in a cool chill vibe atmosphere. Very hands on and accessible to the more regional areas on the Coast. Sam Squires @samthebarberman is about to bring the Gold Coast a new concept with his Backbone Barber Academy. Demos, Workshops, Hairdresser to Barber and Group Training. His skill set is one to be sought after with his UK vibe. Secret Fox Education is offering 50% off your first month to get your 2021 started and get connected. They’ve got the curls covered in Feb, Afros in March and Jamie Furlan and Jake Putan booked for April. Learn from the best right from your phone and bring more than just cutting into your portfolio with colour and braiding demos as well. Well, that’s about it from me for now. I’m reaching my word limit here. So cool to be back and into 2021. Feeling fresh and focused and I hope you are too. Stay up to date, fill up your calendar and let’s make this year one of kicking goals. Collette Saunders @collettecutthroats Founder @australianfemalebarbers @afb_recruit Director @jackreedfoundation
