The Italian Art of Barbering : Tradition Is Alive at Salon Collage

Some things don’t need to be reinvented.

That philosophy is at the heart of how Salon Collage barber Nino approaches his craft.

While men’s grooming has changed dramatically over the years, Nino remains fascinated by traditional barbering — classic cuts, straight-razor shaves, precision scissor work and techniques that have been refined over generations.

For Nino, that connection to the past is also personal.

Barbering runs in his family.

Learning From Generations of Italian Barbers

Many of Nino’s relatives live in Italy, and several are barbers themselves.

During an extended visit to Italy, Nino had an opportunity few young Canadian barbers experience: working alongside members of his family in their barber shops.

He wasn’t simply watching.

He was cutting hair every day and learning techniques directly from people who had spent their lives behind the chair.

“There are little techniques, little habits and ways of working that have been passed down over many years,” Nino explains. “You don’t really learn those things in school.”

The experience reinforced something he already believed.

Great barbering shouldn’t be rushed.

Nino prefers taking his time, concentrating on the details and giving each client the individual attention the haircut requires.

A Pair of Scissors With a Story

One of the most important tools in Nino’s collection also connects him to his family.

During a trip to Italy, his relatives gave him a pair of Japanese-made Kamisori scissors after recognizing how seriously he had committed himself to the profession.

They’re professional tools, but their significance goes far beyond their value.

Nino uses them every day.

For him, they’re a connection between family, tradition and the career he has chosen.

Take a Seat — In the 1960s

That appreciation for barbering history extends right down to Nino’s chair.

His barber chair dates back to the 1960s.

It’s the real thing — right down to the built-in ashtray.

Older clients often recognize it immediately.

They sit down and remember visiting neighbourhood barber shops with their fathers or grandfathers. Suddenly, a haircut becomes a conversation about another time.

Those conversations are part of what Nino loves about the profession.

Old School Meets Modern Style

None of this means Nino is stuck in the past.

He cuts modern fades, longer men’s styles and even one of today’s most surprising comeback trends — the mullet.

But the philosophy behind the haircut remains traditional.

Listen to the client. Take your time. Pay attention to the details. Use good tools. Do the job properly.

Trends will come and go.

Craftsmanship doesn’t have to.

As Nino puts it: “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”