A new barber shop has opened in the Hoxton area offering a space for the transgender community.
Open Barbers is a “hairdressing service for all lengths, genders and secualities”. While the salon was set up primarily to offer haircuts to gender-diverse people, it also serves as a social community space to “have tea, meet others, read zines and hang out.”
Barbers Greygory Vass and Klara Vanova founded the Open Barber back in 2011. Originally a pop-up shop, it quickly proved to be a business success.
It’s Open Barbers’ mission to offer gender-neutral cuts. “We celebrate the diversity of human beings by offering haircuts that are free of gendered language,” their website states, adding that they offer “queer-friendly hairdressing for any length, welcoming all genders and sexualities”.
Today, Open Barbers celebrated the opening of their permanent salon at Clunbury Street, Hoxton. The salon was renovated by volunteers and funded through a crowdfunding campaign. Four hairdressers are on site, with Felix Lane working full-time and stylist Richard Houguez joining them in the salon two days a week.
Red shabby chic theme
It has a red exterior and a red shabby chic theme, with touches such as wooden tables, a vinyl player located next to a wooden bookcase, where a collection of both magazines and books are available to customers.
Customers waiting for their cuts can relax in comfortable leather sofas, while red leather armchairs resembling those often found in vintage American diners are used as the salon’s styling chairs. Throughout the store, hand-made cardboard posters are used to give a personal and welcoming vibe.
Along with their unique message, Open Barbers’ pricing strategy is like no other salon. They offer what is called a “sliding scale payment” service, where customers pay between £10 and £40, depending on what they can afford.
“Gentle-paced” haircuts
The length of time for each haircut varies too. The duration depends on both the style and whether the customer wants “a more gentle-paced haircut”.
“We offer a personalised and warm haircutting experience with a queer and trans friendly attitude. We seek to promote the diversity of identities in society, and celebrate people’s appearance in the way they wish to be seen,” the website states.
“Anyone is welcome, including friends. We aim to make Open Barbers are welcoming space to hang out in, with a range of teas, fanzines and biscuits to make you feel at home.”
Currently the salon’s haircuts can be found via their website, where you can also book an appointment with them, and through their Tumblr page, where you can see their creations and behind the scenes, such as the renovating of their new salon.
Along with their permanent stylists, the Open Barbers also collaborate with freelance hairdressers and plan on offering a wide range of services in the near future.
Address: 4 Clunbury Street, London, N1 6TT
See: openbarbers.co.uk
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