“Our clients can be who they are”
When Klara Vanova struggled to find a hairdresser or barber to cut her hair short, she took matters into her own hands and retrained as a hairdresser. She’s since opened two gender-neutral salons in London and Prague, both of which ensure clients of all genders, races and sexualities feel welcome, equal and listened to.
Klara also campaigns for more diversity in hairdressing and is pushing for awareness that haircuts aren’t just for men and women. Here Klara talks about her ethos at Barberette...
Q. Why did you set up Barberette?
“I started Barberette in 2012 through a frustration at being unable to find someone who could cut my hair well. I found the hair salons didn’t always know how to cut short hair in a barbering style. And when I found a barbershop that agreed to cut my hair I felt uncomfortable being there. I was sure I wasn’t the only person who wanted a short haircut but couldn’t find someone to cut it. So when I was 30 I went to college in London to become a hairdresser.
“To start with I rented a chair and saw my own clients. Through word of mouth I got busier and busier so then I opened Barberette - the business has grown very organically.”
“The reaction from customers has shown me there was a very definite need for gender neutral salons.”
Q. Why is it so important to have gender neutral pricing?
Traditionally in hairdressing, women are charged much more than men. Yet I believe the haircut is for the person so at Barberette we are gender neutral meaning you are charged the same, regardless of gender.
It also makes sense to have an inclusive approach for everyone, avoiding the old binary divisions of male and female.
More and more salons are popping up around London with the same prices because it’s logical. It’s not just about the prices it’s the fact we’re totally inclusive.”
Q. What is the feedback from your customers?
“The reaction from customers has shown me there was a very definite need for gender neutral salons. I have clients from all over the UK and abroad and they all say there wasn’t anywhere they could before us to get the haircuts they wanted. That’s why they are loyal. They can be who they are. Our customers can be straight guys who love what we offer and I also work with a lot of transgender or transsexual clients who come to me for a great service regardless of their gender.”
Q. Can you tell us about your campaigning work for diversity in salons?
“I’m horrified that education in hair has not changed a lot and that’s why I want to open people’s minds and show them they can do non binary haircuts.
“We have campaigned with the Hairdressing Federation to recognise more diversity in salons. We’re also talking to City and Guilds, asking them to change the text for the college students when they start learning hairdressing. It’s important they learn it’s not just haircuts for men and women. It can be something else.”
Q. How are your clients empowered through colour?
“We have a university teacher with short hair who likes a lot of different colours - reds blues and greens in her hair - because it makes her feel special. I believe the more people who can wear the hair they want - both cut and colour - the better. This will mean there won’t be gendered haircuts and colours and instead gender neutral hair will become more mainstream.”
Learn more about Klara and Barberette on her website or follow them on Instagram @Barberette_orginial
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