A cut above the rest - 4th August 2025

Creating a buzz more reminiscent of a boxing bout, 12 of the world's best heavy weight barbers battled it out at the World Barber Classic in Tokyo.

Despite Japan having 110,000 barber shops, their employees tend to be of an advanced age. Now, tech savvy youngsters are redefining what it means to be a barber. Rising through the ranks, they're testament to the fact that a short back and sides doesn't do justice to their broad range of expertise.

The Japanese barber trade's suffered the fallout of an increasing penchant for hair salons and this trend, coming about from the desire for men to emulate their idols' long flowing locks, has seen a rise in custom for salons, leaving barber shops behind, unable to shake their dated reputation.

Tamasaka Suzuki's a contestant.

Takumasa Suzuki: "Actually, my model is a bonsai artist - a world-famous one at that. And as you know, bonsai has these unique shapes and textures of wood and branches, and I wanted each of these elements to be expressed in my haircut today."

Competing under the watchful eye of a judging panel who scan each scissor clip, razor whirr and selection of hair product, competitors are given a mere 30 minute timeframe to showcase their artistry. Not only is their intention to promote the feelgood factor in the model, they're also determined for the judges and their enthusiastic onlookers to bear witness to the degree with which standards have been raised within their industry.

Los Angeles judge, Giancarlo Burgos, considers the repercussions of immaculate coiffure to be wide-reaching.

Giancarlo Burgos: "I think hair is more than just hair, right? It's a way of communicating yourself, but also connecting people. So I think it's a very, very amazing thing. And I'm so happy that now the world is becoming more aware. And especially seeing competition now, I think it begins to evolve past the chair, yeah. It's more worldwide and it's language that anybody can understand."