In July 2025, STMNT Grooming united its ambassador team to create a collection that puts community and creativity at the forefront. During the shoot, Modern Barber caught up with STMNT ambassador Charles Rose, who shared how barbering is evolving. From longer hair trends and advanced scissor skills to deeper client connections and community-driven spaces, for Charles modern barbering isn’t just about style it’s about service, education, and the power of genuine human connection.
WHAT DOES BARBERING LOOK LIKE TO YOU RIGHT NOW?
We are seeing a lot more longer hair, so it’s great to see so many barbers learning scissor techniques and hairdressing fundamentals, as well as obviously using their clipper work to create the perfect modern look. It’s lovely to see barbershops elevating their grooming experience again because it used to be ‘you’re in, you’re out’ but now there’s longer appointments and you’re getting a real service, because clients want that. It’s nice to see that as an industry the skillsets are expanding.
HOW DOES CRATE ACADEMY SUPPORT BARBERS TO USE THEIR CRAFT AS A FORM OF SELF-EXPRESSION? DO NEW BARBERS STRUGGLE WITH THIS?
With social media they see a lot of barbers on there but it’s not the real world compared to a barbershop experience. So when we give them the opportunity to come to a shoot like this, they’ll do some amazing work from being inspired by everyone else. When it comes to Crate Academy we’re teaching them how to use products properly and how to expand their services so it’s not just “in and out” and STMNT fully comes into that. Through our education, we teach how to use products correctly going forward – clients want to know about it. If you explain everything to them, they’re going to be amazed – it’s an extension of the service which can provide so many different avenues for yourself personally and your business.
WHEN IT COMES TO CONVERSATION AND HUMAN CONNECTION, HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT CREATING YOUR SPACE?
We like to call the shops community hubs. We give our spaces out for people to use for events they might have going on. We want it to be a safe place. Your clients come to you because they trust you. They probably know a lot about you. You know a lot about them. It’s their time when they can sit back and actually just talk to you one-on-one. Our sections are really spread out so you’re not necessarily hearing the person next to you and they feel safe to talk to you about anything naturally. That links well with the community spirit we have as STMNT ambassadors and the community we’ve built in the UK.
DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE PART OF YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY?
Definitely, we work hard to be a part of it. You don’t just want to be the kind of brand that people never hear anything from. It’s nice to get involved with other businesses. At the end of the day, if you help the community out, the community helps you out.
