GLOBAL BARBER

THOM ROBINS, OWNER OF MEN’S SALON AND BARBERSHOP, THOM. IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER, TALKS THE EVOLUTION OF THE CANADIAN BARBERING SCENE

HOW DID YOU GET INTO BARBERING?

In the last year of high school, I became ill with a debilitating condition. Once I had recovered, my family barber, Jeff Goldberg, kindly took me on as an apprentice. The barbershop was small with only three chairs, but it was a fresh approach at the time as barbering was only just emerging into the mainstream. You could say I fell into it through need rather than aspiration.

WHAT HELPED YOU TO PERFECT YOUR SKILLS?

After finishing my apprenticeship, I began working in London. I got a job at a men’s salon called The Refinery in Mayfair. I was in way over my head, moving to an address I could barely afford let alone relate to. But I got the chance to work with people who are now big names in men’s hair, like Chris Foster, and Joe Mills who took me on as a stylist. It was at Joe & Co that I engaged with what contemporary hair and forward-thinking salons could be.

WHAT IS THE CANADIAN BARBERING COMMUNITY LIKE?

When I came to Canada in 2014, I thought it would be as cutting edge as the UK but it was at least five years behind Europe and London. The Canadian barbering scene is heavily influenced by American barber culture. There are many passionate barbers who see the value in pushing the industry forward and are now taking influence from more evolved barbering scenes and established education institutions around the world. It’s exciting because there is so much potential to learn and establish a Canadian identity in hair and beauty.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Slowing down and being more methodical and patient in my approach. I think when you do that, the creativity naturally happens if you’re doing something you enjoy. Right now, I’m moving more into brand development, consumer experience and mentorship rather than being behind the chair. I have a great team and a luxury all gender salon called Beau which I opened with my partner, and incredible artist, Armineh Damanpak.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2023 AND THE FUTURE?

Mentorship and engaged conversation on where the industry is going or needs to go. We’ve been stuck on the same narrative with operations, culture, and practice for quite some time now and I think pushing for better is where my skills are best suited. Personally, I’m looking to come off the chair and inspire newer generations of barbers and stylists to rethink what it is to be in the industry and how they can better serve themselves, their clients, and their environments. There is so much more to hairdressing and barbering than being behind the the chair.