How important is it for Asians to get haircuts from Asian barbers? For many living abroad the answer would be VERY IMPORTANT. The qualities of an individual’s hair can vary greatly from person to person, and it is commonly said Asian hair has different qualities to say Caucasian hair. That is why in recent years, classic barbershops have made an unprecedented comeback for Asian Americans.
 

With a prolific tradition in specialized men’s barbershops in Hong Kong, Mark Lau, son of one of the most representative & celebrated barbers, Master Lau from Oi Kwan Barber’s (since 1962); has succeeded his late father’s business and rejuvenated its brand with a mission to establish a sub-culture for Asians by integrating classic barber techniques with modern male grooming products from Japan, presenting a new fusion of the barbershop experience for Asians. Following his further study at a barber school in KOBE, Japan, Mark started a new shop with a broader vision in 2017, aimed at middle-class customers over the world. “Asians deserve to enjoy specialized barber services not limited to local style e.g. Cantonese or Shanghainese, but for Asians in general.” Mark said. Paying tribute to his father, he spent months preserving the signature of his shop: a vintage barber chair with over half a century of history. 

In the latest Part 2 of the series namely “The Present”, Mark explains how he rejuvenated the brand with a mission to establish a sub-culture for Asians by integrating classic barber techniques with modern male grooming products from Japan, presenting a new fusion of the barbershop experience for Asians. 

 
By sharing the same vision of preserving Asian heritage to the globe, DotAsia is proud to collaborate with Oi Kwan Barber’s to fly up high across Asia! Please visit http://oikwanbarbers.asia for further details and stay tuned with Mark’s stories in part 1 & 2 on our DotAsia channels.
 
 

This.Is.Asia Newsletter Issues

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

Looking ahead to APrIGF and IGF Berlin

Looking ahead to APrIGF and IGF Berlin

Have you heard of the city that sits on the easternmost terminus of the Trans Siberian railway? Vladivostok is the city that bears the honor. Situated in the Golden Horn Bay in the Russian Far East, it is the location for the 10th edition of the Asia Pacific Regional...

read more
Celebrating Asian Heritage Month in May

Celebrating Asian Heritage Month in May

May is a month for celebrating the many cultural and societal contributions and achievements of overseas Asian communities in North America. It marks the observance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States, and Asian Heritage Month in Canada.

read more