The British Barbers Association embarked on a North American tour during the first week of October 2016, demonstrating men’s grooming techniques and presenting their latest men’s collections and new product range.

The BBA North American Tour

The British Barbers Association, in partnership with Kreate, the BeautyCouncil of Western Canada/British Columbia Barbers Association, London School, EvelineCharles Academy, Eikonic Barber Academy and Intercoiffure North America with the select event support from collaborators, including Wahl Professional, Feather Razors, Barbicide, Shortcuts and Barber Supplies Co., conducted barbering events in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and New York City throughout early October 2016.

The tour started off in Vancouver on Sunday evening, October 2 at the Republic Night Club featuring “An Evening with Extraordinary Gentlemen,” presented to over 250 stylists and barbers. The British Barbers showcased the latest styles and techniques from the UK barbers Chris Foster and Erik Lander. The team also presented their latest collection, the Kings Row, consisting of sub-genres including the “Huntsman,” the “Ripley” and the “Squadron.” The show opened up with local barber Aldrich Miranda.

Foster and Lander conducted a full-day “Creative Men’s Grooming” hands-on work shop with a morning lecture and demo hosted by BC/BCBA and London School on Monday, October 3. The workshop was aimed at attendees who had three years or more experience in barbering and men’s grooming and who were looking to take their skills to the next level with more advanced creative cutting and clippering techniques.

From Vancouver the BBA team were off to Edmonton where they were hosted by EvelineCharles Academy on Tuesday evening, October 4, presenting to a full house of over 200 stylists from across northern Alberta. The night started off with local talent @nerissathebarber and was followed up by the main event, featuring Foster and Lander from the BBA.

The BBA team wrapped up the Canadian segment of the tour in Toronto on Wednesday evening, October 5 with a final rollout of “An Evening with Extraordinary Gentlemen” with special local barbers, Martin Truong, Eikonic Barbering Academy & Francis Paua Jr., Cadmen, who warmed up the sold out audience of 150 stylists and barbers. The evening was capped off with Foster and Lander who showcased the Kings Row Collection and discussed the UK barbering scene. The event was hosted by Eikonic Barbering Academy at the Multimedia StudioTheatre, University of Toronto in Mississauga.

The final leg of the tour took the BBA to New York City with an action packed presentation for Intercoiffure members at the historic Waldorf Astoria. Foster and Lander received a standing ovation from over 1000 of the top stylists from across North America. Intercoiffure President Frank Gambuzza highlighted the presentation as one of the most rounded he has seen in a long time, and noted the timing for men’s barbering in North America was perfectly aligned for the British Barbers Association to make their mark to the Intercoiffure membership.

Richard Taylor Woods from BBA TV joined Foster and Lander on stage to help drive home the message on why the BBA have come to North America. With the introduction of the first group of models, Foster provided the audience with the theme behind the collection.

“The Kings Row collection is a fictional road based upon Savile Row, a world famous road in London, steeped in a strong heritage of bespoke tailoring,” Foster says. “Within the Kings Row collection there are three sub collections, the Huntsman, our classic contemporary collection that has strong masculine silhouettes. The Ripley, a 1950s Euro-American clean understated yet classic collection and finally, the Street Squadron, an officer and a rogue of rough and ready textured hair, which is our fashion forward focused collection.”

The BBA Product Range

Chris and Woods discussed the new Men’s Grooming Brand which was launched in the UK in July. Foster enthusiastically outlined why the brand was created. “The BBA product range was born out of the same passion we give the best to our clients, with the level of service and customer care they have come to expect. We wanted to take our clients on a journey. Not just retailing hair product for the sake of selling, but also to reinforce the importance of a good male grooming routine. Our range is a full comprehensive line, which allows the stylist to upgrade to a full skincare service in the salon and for their clients to take home.”

Check out the full product range here.

The Hall of Fame Competition

The team launched a very exciting contest for barbers and stylists across North America and the members of Intercoiffure. The Hall of Fame competition has been running in the UK for the last several months is now being offered on this side of the pond. North American stylists and barbers can enter and have an opportunity to win a trip to the UK for the BBA annual photo shoot in February. They can enter their work pictures on the BBA website until Dec 31, 2016, with the winners chosen in early in the new year.