WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

WE CELEBRATE THE 2024 DAPPER DAN BARBER WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

The end of the year marked yet another chapter in the Dapper Dan Barber World Series, with the competition announcing its 2024 champions. The contest resulted in a sensational showcase of the industry’s talent, making for one of the most entertaining barber battles.

SORIN CRACIUN INTERNATIONAL BARBER OF THE YEAR WINNING ENTRY

The 2024 Dapper Dan Barber World Series saw a judging panel of two previous winners, Dean Gleeson (2021 Barber of The Year) and Callum Butler (2023 Barber of The Year) who were joined by Mike Taylor (Mike Taylor Education, MTE Hair and Barbering Academy), Colin Petrie (founder, Hard Grind) and Simon May (Dapper Dan cofounder) who returned as head judge. Barbers from all over the globe entered unique creations in a bid to impress the panel. After careful deliberation from the judges, and with the help of the returning audience vote, the winners were announced as: Connor Evans, Barber of The Year 2024, Sorin Craciun, International Barber of The Year 2024, and Boardroom Barbers, Barbershop of The Year 2024.

BOARDROOM GENTLEMEN’S REFINERY BARBERSHOP OF THE YEAR WINNING ENTRY

The judges shared that the International Barber of The Year category is typically the most difficult to judge due to the variety of barbering cultures and heritage on display. Each entry demonstrated incredible range, from classic jelly rolls and punk-inspired cuts to modern textured looks and masterful use of colour, but it was Sorin Craciun’s creative and precise work that stole the show. Head judge, Simon May commented: “Sorin presented possibly one of the most unique entries ever submitted to the Dapper Dan Barber World Series, hitting top marks in every criteria including technique and creativity, as well as the quality of the photography and stylisation.”

The Barbershop of The Year category received submissions from outstanding shops from all over the UK - showcasing the number of teams that provide a superb service day in, day out each in their own unique environment. This year’s winners, Boardroom Barbers, were noted for their traditional barbershop décor and the luxurious service provided by their team. Having reached the finalists stage in previous years, Boardroom Barbers were able to take their photography and social media presence to the next level this time around to catapult themselves to the top in an impressive field of barbershops.

BARBER OF THE YEAR

CONNOR EVANS BARBER OF THE YEAR WINNING ENTRY

Naturally keen to understand more about how Connor creates, we asked him about his creative process, he shared: “The creative process for my work always begins with a vision of the final look. I create a mood board to help me visualise the outcome. From there, the model’s hair type, head shape, and the strength of their hairline will guide the direction of the haircut. It’s a fluid process that often evolves as I go. I stay open to creativity and avoid being locked into one specific style. The key is adaptability, and with that mindset, the end result is always achievable.”

As the latest addition to the pantheon of Dapper Dan Barber World Series Barber of The Year winners, we picked Connor’s brain for any pieces of advice that he thought others could benefit from if they were looking to take the next step and win a competition: “My biggest piece of advice is to choose the right model. That’s half the battle won. A model who is confident and photogenic will naturally make the haircut stand out in front of the camera.”

CONNOR EVANS, DAPPER DAN BARBER WORLD SERIES BARBER OF THE YEAR

Looking ahead to future plans, Connor is focusing on his YouTube channel Hot Heads Media, and is working on plans for a new collection with his Barbershop Men’s Grooming Company – so make sure you watch this space! As always, the Dapper Dan Barber World Series Barber of The Year category was hotly contested, with barbering talent from across the UK entering their best work in a bid to claim the 2024 crown. However, once the judging concluded, and the public votes tallied, Connor Evans was declared this year’s champion.

Connor’s win was certainly no beginner’s luck, boasting over 18 years of experience Connor started his journey at the early age of 15. Alongside his wealth of experience, you could say that Connor’s skill is in his blood, explaining that his parents were also awardwinning hairdressers whose passion ignited his love for the craft.