Hi Louis, you’ve just started working at Huckle on Lamb’s Conduit Street. Welcome.
Thank you. It’s great to be part of the team. I’m really enjoying it here; everyone is awesome, and I love the buzz and the atmosphere.
How did you first getting into cutting hair?
I started out when I was 16. I wanted to follow in the footstep of a family friend. I used to love going to his shop to have my hair done when I was growing up. I trained for three years, and after becoming fully qualified, I started working at Toni&Guy. Then I became a barber at Pankhurst London where I worked for five years, honing my skills and learning all the traditional barbering techniques.
What is it you particularly like about cutting men’s hair?
I’ve always preferred doing short, messy styles or sharp haircuts, to be honest. And you’ve got to pay attention to detail when styling men’s hair; any little bit out of place and it shows. And I like the chat; sometimes it verges on the truly ridiculous - in a good way.
How are you finding working on Lamb’s Conduit Street?
It’s great to see local, independent businesses instead of generic chains on the street. It’s getting harder to find streets like this in London now, sadly. I think that’s why Huckle fits in so nicely. The shop has a boutique feel to it and a timeless vibe.
What’s the best thing about working at Huckle?
There are loads, to be fair, but I particularly appreciate the quality of the products we get to use. Nothing beats having the best possible grooming products when creating a style for a customer.
They say music and style go hand-in-hand, and Huckle has quite a reputation for its refined playlists and excellent taste in music. What kind of music do you listen to?
I’ve got a good, varied taste - anything from jazz to metal. And right now, I’m listening to a lot of old school hip hop and techno.
Have you discovered any new music while working at the salon?
Yes, quite a lot. But the one that stands out the most is a band from Australia called 30/70; they’re part of the whole new jazz scene out in Melbourne. I think their track ‘Strut’ is brilliant.
Why do you think traditional barbering techniques and the whole barbershop experience has made such a comeback in the past decade?
Today, I think barbershops offer much more of bespoke grooming service than in the past. That fits nicely with the times, with men, in general, being more fashion aware. I think guys generally like to treat themselves a bit more, and I think the whole barbershop experience really appeals to them.
What do you think makes Huckle different to everyone else out there?
It’s not trying to be anything that it isn’t. It’s just a nice relaxing haven for men to come in and have an enjoyable experience. There’s too many places out there trying to be the next big thing. Huckle is no-nonsense, top quality.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I spend a lot of my time outdoors, usually hiking or fishing in the countryside. Or come winter, up in the mountains skiing. But when I’m feeling lazy, I’ll be in the record shop digging for some new techno.
Sounds great. How do you relax, though?
I’m into whisky. There’s so many good ones to choose from but top of my list at the moment are Michter’s small-batch American whiskey and Nikka Coffey Grain which is Japanese. And I love my food, too.
What’s your top style tip for the winter months?
Nice and short on the back and sides with tons of texture on top to hide the hat hair. And that goes nicely with a vintage 1950s military parka to keep you warm and dry whatever the occasion.
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Huckle the Barber provides high-quality grooming services, including haircuts and wet shaves, for discerning London gents. Visit us in Shoreditch or Holborn. Book your Huckle appointment online.