COMMERCIAL FEATURE

INSPIRED BY HIS OWN STRUGGLES WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION, BARBER LOU CHRISTOU OF THY BARBER IN BRICK LANE DECIDED HE WANTED TO GIVE OTHERS IN A SIMILAR POSITION A HELPING HAND

Lou Christou’s 12-steps to Barbering Academy is no ordinary training programme. Loosely based on the transformative programme for personal recovery, the course kicked off in June and took place over 12-weeks. Featuring five recruits from nearby Acorn House, a hostel for homeless people recovering from addictions and ready to face the world, it’s not just about gaining a qualification, it’s about changing lives.

When asked why he decided to set up the project, Lou Christou commented, “I’d started volunteering to do cuts at Acorn House and it made me wonder if I could find a way to help some of the people I was meeting. I know that when I was first in recovery, what I needed was structure, a clear plan, and a reason to get up every day.”

The programme has run in association with Haircuts4Homeless after Lou approached its founder Stewart Roberts MBE, who has equally battled with addiction over the years. “Once I’d asked around to see if there would be any interest in the programme, I reached out to Stewart who I’d met through my association with Acorn House,” says Lou. He knows himself the challenges that recovering addicts face. Barbering is a job that doesn’t discriminate like some other careers, and it offers a skill that has longevity. Good barbers will always be in demand.”

Stewart Roberts MBE of Haircuts4Homeless himself says, “The consequences of addiction can be brutal. I know by my own struggles and my 17 years in sobriety. Frequently, those affected will lose jobs and not be in a position to think about employment, which rocks their self-esteem and self-confidence. Anything designed to rebuild people’s characters can have a transformational effect on the future course of their lives and is something we fully believe in at Haircuts4Homeless. We didn’t hesitate to get on board with Lou’s 12 Steps to Barbering programme and support the five recruits through their journey.”

The scheme has also been made possible with the generous support and sponsorship of companies American Crew, BaByliss PRO, Denman and Matakki scissors. As well as providing its resources to enable continued opportunities for the collective, American Crew has supplied the mannequin heads that the recruits will use for their training, alongside kit and products.

During the course of their training, designed to build a foundational knowledge of barbering, the five candidates have received expert tuition from lead industry barbers. Fresh from their 12-weeks of training, the recruits will then be attending a special finishing school at the American Crew Academy. Taking place every Monday for six weeks, a host of renowned barbers are lined up to share their knowledge in a series of seminars. Faces will include members of the Mark Leeson art team, Ian Harrold from American Crew, and barbers from Fella and Manifesto. The programme culminates in a platform presentation at Salon International on the Modern Barber stage on Saturday 14th October.

Matt Horder, General Manager of Revlon Professional ® UK and Ireland comments: “When myself and the team at American Crew heard about this project, we wanted to do whatever we could to support it. Knowing that it had the backing of Stewart Roberts was an even bigger draw – his authenticity and commitment alongside Lou’s obvious skill and passion for this programme is going to be potentially life-changing for these trainees. We wish them every success.”

H4H presents Twelve Steps to Barbering with
Lou Christou | Saturday 14 October | 16.30

Modern Barber stage at Salon International 2023, courtesy of American Crew.