Ethos

Open Barbers is a hairdressing service welcoming people of all/no genders and sexualities, with any hair length and type. As a not-for-profit Social Enterprise our prices are on a sliding scale, where you pay what you can afford starting at £5.

Everyone is welcome! We specialise in friendly, attentive and personalised services, and we have lots of experience cutting hair free from gender stereotypes. We’re aware that entering salons/barbers can generate various anxieties and challenges and we are continuously looking to be as adaptable and welcoming as we can. We offer home visits to those in London who are unable to visit our salon.

Our salon space is open to visitors with free wifi, refreshments and a ‘zine library. We also host a range of collaborators who deliver additional services and events. To help make our space comfortable for everyone, please read our safer spaces policy.

A few times a year, we deliver pop-up events or training out of the salon. Please read our Media and Events page if you are interested working with us.

History

The origins of Open Barbers are based on years of personal experience, trying to get a short, masculine haircut and being turned away, told it’s not gender appropriate or charged ‘women’s’ prices. These common experiences led the Open Barbers founders to take the scissors into their own hands, and eventually upon finding each other, to set up something refreshing and new!

Open Barbers was founded in March 2011 by Greygory Vass, and Klara Vanova (now Barberette), beginning as a series of pop-up events and evolving into a small sublet at Chaps and Dames. Felix Lane joined in September 2011 and in 2013, Greygory and Felix trained in Hairdressing at City and Islington College. Toddy Peters joined the admin team in 2019, and in 2020 became a Director alongside Felix (who left in July 2022) and Greygory.

Our dedicated salon at 4 Clunbury Street, London, N1 6TT opened in May 2016, and includes social space and collaboration. The renovation was part funded by the generosity of our clients and supporters through our crowdfunding campaign.