A CUT ABOVE: THE EVALUATION OF BARBERSHOPS
Written By Sarune Bagdonaite
The barbershop has been around for centuries, serving as a place for men to gather and socialize. Their long history dating back to as early as 296 B.C. in Greece where Greek men would go to have their hair and beards at the local marketplace and catch up on the latest news and gossip.
Throughout the centuries, the role of the barbershop evolved to include medical services. By the mid-1500s the skills of barbers were recognized in the medical world; due to the requirement that barbers have advanced coordination and fine motor skills, and the fact that barbers used tools like scissors, knives, and razors, their duties began to overlap with medicine. This led to the emergence of barber-surgeons and barber-dentists in the mid-1600s. Barbers began performing minor surgeries, pulling teeth, and applying leeches along with cutting hair and beards. As advances in medicine and surgery surged in the early and mid-1800s this practice ended and barbers focused solely on cutting and styling men’s hair.
So why are barber’s poles red and white?
The poles represent bloodletting with origins from the times of barber-surgeons. The red represents blood and the white bandages. The pole itself symbolized the stick a patient would hold and squeeze to make their veins protrude in preparation for the bloodletting.
The modern-day barbershop is more than just about getting your hair cut; now, it has become a place of community and conversation. It’s also a place to socialize and relax. In some ways, it’s the revival of the old-fashioned barbershop, where everyone knows your name, but with a modern twist. Many things have changed in today’s barbershops, from the layout and design to fixtures. It is possible to distinguish 4 trends of moder – day barbershop.
1- A Lounge Area
The first trend is the addition of a lounge area. This has become more popular with shops that offer other services such as coloring, cuts, shaves, and facial hair grooming. It’s also common to see leather or vinyl couches, allowing customers to kick back for a moment before they get in their next appointment. Furthermore, the lounge serves as a place for people to socialize and relax in an environment made for men. They can chat with friends or other customers about sports, their day and what’s new around town. In recent years, many shops have changed their interior construction to accommodate this trend, creating their own community feel and encouraging discussion.
2- Exposed Brick Walls & Wood Beams
Commercial interiors are constantly changing and evolving with new styles. One of the more recent trends we’ve seen in barbershops is exposed brick walls to give it an authentic feel. Exposed wood beams are also popular, creating a rustic look for the shop’s interior design and giving it a classic and nostalgic look. This is a popular design element for men’s barbershops that go with the traditional look and feel. Many prefer to keep their shops cozy, warm, and inviting instead of bright or sterile. These shops want people to relax as if they’re in their living or getting a haircut at home.
3- Unique Retail Products and Services
The third trend we’ve seen is unique retail products and services offered. This goes hand-in-hand with the lounge area mentioned earlier. In many shops, you’ll find products like colognes and grooming kits that customers use to take care of their facial hair or skin after they get a cut and shave. Some barbershops even have partnerships with local breweries, allowing customers to enjoy a cold brew or two in addition to getting a haircut.
4- A Man Cave
The last trend we’ve seen is more of a man cave feel. This style takes the traditional barbershop and adds some different elements to it, making it an even better place for guys to come to hang out with their friends or just enjoy themselves on their own. There will probably be things like pool tables, giant TV screens, and arcade games in this type of shop. You might also see some other unique features like a bar or cigar room where customers can enjoy these things while waiting for their turn to get a haircut. Again, it’s all about creating a community feel and encouraging conversation between people who wouldn’t usually talk much but are now brought together by the shared experience.
What you can find at Blade & Razor Barbershop?
It’s a unique place design by Shery Oji and Navid Oji. Successfully they combine a rustic and luxurious styles to meet not only today’s barbershop trends but to raise perception of barbershop to another level. At Blade & Razor first of all we are offering top notch grooming and relaxing facials, massage or scalp treatment services. Second of all before your service, you can always relax at our lounge area and enjoy coffee, tea or have a glass of scotch or whiskey. Moreover, if you and your groomsman would like to get ready before the wedding or just simply watch your favourite sport with your friends, Blade & Razor is the place to be.