Hj's barber of the year 2013 darryn pitman on winning and loving men's hair

Darryn Pitman, winner of the first HJ Barber of the Year competition in 2013, talks about his career and love of men’s hairdressing. When you are not winning competitions, what do you do? I am an assistant manager and creative director at ICE Hair Group in Llanishen, Cardiff. I also run the training academy, training the assistants towards their hairdressing NVQs. Tell me about your career so far. I have been hairdressing for 10 years, working my way up through my apprenticeship, developing into a stylist, then progressing up the career ladder to my current position. Have you had previous competition success? I have been entering competitions for eight years and have won many awards in the Welsh and British Championships, including a first place at the NHF British Hairdressing Championships. How important are male clients to you? Around 40% of my clients are men, which I think is quite high for a hairdresser. Why do so many male clients come to you? I enjoy making my male clients stand out, be different and ahead of the game. I try to tailor all my cuts to be unique and personal to the individual. I enjoy pushing my haircuts and styles as far as I can take them. I feel my clients enjoy coming to me because I will always push them to be different and unique with their hairstyles and give them something new and fresh. I am always very accommodating with my clientele. If it means me coming in early, going home late or working through a dinner break, my clients know I will do all I can to fit them in. What makes a good men’s haircut? The key to a good men’s haircut is a classic structure with a modern shape. It should be a haircut that is multi-directional to give variety when it comes to styling – a cut that grows out in a shape that can still be styled weeks down the line. It should also be a haircut that is created to suit them as an individual. Tell us about the look you created in HJ’s Barber of the Year competition. The look I created was called “Old school vs new school”. I created this look by using old school craft and traits mixed with new school techniques and finish. I wanted to squeeze as much into the haircut as I could to show a high percentage of what I can do all blended into one single hairstyle. While cutting the hair, I knew the judges would be observing, so I used as many cutting techniques as I could to showcase my skills to them. I will 100% be entering this year to fight off other contestants and retain my title. What did it mean to you to win? To win the title of HJ’s Barber of the Year 2013 meant the world to me! I am very proud to have the recognition for all the hard work I put into every client, every day of my hairdressing life. I would also like to thank everyone that supported me along the way, including my salon, ICE Hair Group, my family and friends and also everyone that has encouraged, believed and congratulated me through social media. I video blogged my day on Instagram for people to share the day and great experience with me! My Instagram name is @the_darryn_pitman and I will be video blogging all future competitions I enter, as well as pictures of my work for everyone to share!