MODERN BARBER STAGE

HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU CAN EXPERIENCE ON DAY TWO ON THE MODERN BARBER STAGE

Spend the day being inspired by a whole host of barbers on the Modern Barber stage – come and discover presentations by the best of barbering showcasing creative cutting, commercial styling and working with different hair types and textures, all designed to upgrade your skills and knowledge to take back to your business.

10.30, HAYDEN CASSIDY

HAYDEN CASSIDY 10.30 AM

Hayden describes her career as a 10-year whirlwind of highs – with good reason! Starting as an assistant in Dublin 10, barbering has since taken her around the globe, as a Mizutani PAM team member and educating on behalf of Andis. Most recently, she has been announced as the new Grooming Expert for Dior.

“2024 is busy but I have decided to do a select few events, with Barber Connect being one of them,” Hayden explains. “I’m so excited to get back on stage at Barber Connect this year with Team Andis on the Modern Barber stage. I have worked in every aspect of the industry, from fashion, to celebrities, business and social media and I’m really excited to bring all that knowledge this year to Barber Connect. “I will be bringing knowledge from every part of the industry. I’ve seen first-hand how many opportunities there are out there if you’re willing to break boundaries and step out of your comfort zone, and this Barber Connect, I hope to showcase some of the tools and techniques that have helped me get this far. As well as a packed weekend of fashion forward, trend led styles, I’m also a firm believer in continuing to push myself and work hard behind the chair in my studio, Croí. I’m excited to share how I have created the perfect balance and flexibility to pursue every avenue of the industry while still maintaining a consistent clientele, something I know a lot of barbers want to achieve.”

My advice for barbers is don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. Oh, and every detail matters.

11.15AM, NATALIE CRESSWELL, CHARLIE HOLMES AND LEIF MCCREERY, CRESSWELL BARBER CO.

NATALIE CRESSWELL, CHARLIE HOLMES AND LEIF MCCREERY CRESSWELL BARBER CO. 11.15 AM

Natalie believes barbering came into her life at just the right time, igniting her passion for hair just before she thought about leaving the industry all together. Since then, she has won four Modern Barber Awards, runs a successful business and gets to work with her best friends every day.

“I’ll be cutting something a bit different from what I usually produce on stagesomething pretty creative! We’ll be talking about all things hair, products, clients and visitors can expect to hear the usual down-toearth honesty about all forms of barbering!”

Charlie Holmes is the manager at Cresswell Barber Co. and has already appeared at several shows including Barber Connect and Salon International. His love for flowing scissor work with smooth tapers means his work is always sharp and on point.

“I’m loving all the mullets that are coming back. So many variations to play about with. I think in my first five years of barbering I did two mullets and now I probably do five a week, if not more. Will I be showcasing these on stage? You’ll have to wait and see!”

Leif McCreery originally trained in conflict journalism, but once his son was born he decided to do something that was nearer to home and gave him some freedom. He loved what the team at Cresswell were doing so joined them to put more emphasis on the client and producing high quality work.

“I’m really loving the burst fade trend. I remember them being in fashion when I first started working in Afro Caribbean barbers and now it’s come back around and I’m enjoying them all over again. I will be presenting a creative burst fade with a textured crop on top. It’s something I’ve been messing about with and really enjoy having fun with. I can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

Sometimes you just have to block out the noise, look at where you were and where you are now and just be happy to learn and expand your knowledge and not put yourself down.

12.00PM, MARIE RAINSFORD

MARIE RAINSFORD 12.00 PM

Marie Rainsford is a Lead Educator for the OP45 Education UK team, specialising in longer hair and advancing The DFS formula into the hairdressing world. The DFS formula has helped over ten thousand people around the world in their understanding of precision haircutting with a simplistic and shop friendly approach to absolutely every haircut.

“The D.F.S Formula Education helps everyone understand their true self and how they work to enhance their own natural ability and excel in their careers, with systems that work and make cutting hair easy. Every Educator on our team is totally different and that’s the beauty of it. Each growing and excelling with the same formula in their own way. And that’s what we want for absolutely everyone in our world.”

I would highly recommend that everyone soaks up every bit of education they can. You always have something to learn. Enjoy the day and network with as many people as possible.