Guest barber Danilo Alfonso
The First Barber Course with Portuguese Master Barber Danilo Alfonso: A Taste for More!
Quality Over Quantity
At the Romain Academy, we prioritize quality over quantity when organizing a course. That’s why we limit each class to a maximum of six students, ensuring optimal guidance and knowledge transfer.
Lisbon Meets Ghent
It was wonderful to see Danilo Alfonso again. I first met him earlier this year at his barbershop in Lisbon, and we instantly clicked. We understood each other right away, sharing the same passion and interest for traditional barbering, specifically the classic barbering style practiced from 1860 to 1960. This was the golden era when many of the high-end barbershops that still practice traditional methods were founded.
A Power Couple
Danilo was accompanied in Ghent by his wonderful wife, Grazi, who manages his social media and perfects his presentation. They’re a true power couple, reminiscent of the old days when small barbershops were often run by a man and his wife, or vice versa.
An Enriching Exchange
The two-day course flowed smoothly, featuring an enriching exchange between master barber Stijn (or Steven Romain, as he’s called abroad—since “Stijn” is quite a challenge to pronounce in other languages). The varied insights from the barbers provided students with different perspectives on the craft, showcasing a well-organized, hygienic, and above all, professional approach to barbering. The main goal is always to enhance the customer’s experience at the barber.
A Touch of History
We kicked off the first day with a deep dive into the history of traditional barbering, exploring the craft's rich heritage. This presentation offered countless tips and tricks on how to serve your clients and the essential do’s and don’ts.
Shaving with a Straight Razor
After a delightful lunch at restaurant Bassin, it was my turn to demonstrate a full shave on a client using an authentic straight razor. The students received an abundance of tips: the best way to apply shaving soap, the steps involved, paying attention to ergonomics, and more. All of this knowledge is rooted in the Italian tradition: positioning the client high, with the head at chest level, and shaving straight and true.
Classic Men’s Hairstyles
Next, master barber Danilo Alfonso took the stage, cutting the hair of two models in the classic style. No clipper guards—just a lot of scissor work, as it should be for a traditional barber. Danilo’s goal is to show that barbering can be different: not fast barbing, but classic with an extra touch of service for the client.
For dinner, we headed back to Bassin, where we reflected on the day over a delicious meal. The students had the chance to ask the master barbers questions, giving them an informal opportunity to delve deeper into the world of barbering.
Time for Practice
On the second day, it was time for the students to put theory into practice. How do you greet a client? How do you correctly wear a barber’s apron along with the neck strip? And so on. Half of the students applied their new knowledge on a client, while the other half observed, evaluating what was done well and what could be improved. It sounds simple, but it’s actually quite intensive, requiring a sharp focus on applying all the new techniques in detail.
After lunch at Bassin, the roles were reversed. The master barbers stayed close to the students throughout the day, noting their areas for improvement, helping refine haircuts, and teaching countless tricks to enhance results. After the satisfied models left, we wrapped up with a self-reflection session: what went well, what was challenging, and where did things go wrong? Sometimes it’s a confronting experience, but this is how you learn the most and become a better barber, with satisfied clients.
Success!
After the self-review, our students proudly received their well-earned diplomas from the ROMAIN Academy.
Alongside those diplomas, we took home wonderful memories, new connections, and a wealth of new knowledge—just as it should be.
Want to Improve Your Barber Skills?
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