The Modern Barber Stage at Salon International 2026, sponsored by Wahl, delivered an impressive line-up of trending fades, in-demand textured cuts and expert barbering techniques.
Taking place on 4–5 October 2026 at Excel London, the event provided attendees with a programme packed full of free education. Keep scrolling to check out what went on...
Wahl: The Perfect Partner for the Modern Barber Stage
Known for their innovation, craftsmanship, and commitment to the barbering community, Wahl – a global leader in professional grooming tools and a name synonymous with barbering excellence – brought their team of ambassadors to the event, delivering an exciting line-up of live demonstrations, cutting-edge techniques, and invaluable insights designed to inspire barbers at every stage of their career.
Wahl has been a staple at Salon International for many years. Discussing this, Simon Shaw, Wahl Director of Education EMEA, shared: “Firstly, it’s still the number one show – the statistics show it brings the biggest professional audience in the UK, so we needed to be there. Secondly, while so much is moving digital, the industry still values print and face-to-face events."
Commenting on Wahl’s sponsorship of the Modern Barber Stage, Simon added: “Being part of Salon International in this way is incredibly important to us. Salon International is a big event , and this partnership shows we’re leading that side of the industry.”
Sunday 4 October
11.05 - 11.50 Wahl Fade Away - Dean Gleeson, Michael Damiano, Cal Newsome, Alan Beak, Zanear Ali
11.55 - 12.25 Roxanne Batt, Olivia Chiffey, Joe Mills
Representing Luchmun Studios, Roxanne took to the stage with Liv and Joe, both making their Salon International stage debuts, to showcase the variety of cuts they deliver in the barbershop. All three looks incorporated texture, with Roxanne enhancing natural texture, Joe demonstrating his clipper skills and Liv drawing on her experience in both hairdressing and barbering with a bixie cut.
12.30 - 13.15 Wahl - Make the Switch - Cal Newsome and team
13.30 - 14.00 Arod, Sean Cassey
14.05 - 14.35 Dexter Dapper Johnson, TONI&GUY
14.40 - 15.10 Charles Rose, Crate Cheshire
15.15 - 16.00 Wahl Academy Masterclass - Dean Gleeson, Michael Damiano, Call Newsome, Alan Beak
16.15 - 16.45 Josh Lamonaca for Menspire / Wahl
16.50 - 17.20 Anderson Boyce, Angel Del Solar, Antonio Vaz, Anna Lum, Stefan Clark
17.25 - 17.55 Bailey Snowden, Jude Spearing, Jody Wheeler
Bailey Snowden, Wahl Scholarship Winner and founder of Snowden Hair, created a style highly requested from clients: a textured burst fade. Bailey shared his knowledge on how to adapt your fading techniques to suit the density of the client’s hair, specifically when it comes to shaping the sides.
Monday 5 October
10.30 - 11.15 Wahl Make the Switch - Dean Gleeson, Michael Damiano, Cal Newsome, Alan Beak, Zanear Ali
Headed up by Dean, Lead Educator for Wahl Pro UK, the guys took to the MB stage to discuss Wahl's latest launch - the Vapor Switch – and share their favourite features. Showcasing the tool in front of the audience, each barber created a look reflective of the styles they see in their shops day to day, from clean fades to freestyle designs, and even a warrior cut.
11.20 - 12.05 Sam Campagna, Charles Rose, Andy Dawson
12.10 - 12.40 Arod, Sean Cassey
12.45 - 13.15 Wahl Masterclass
13.20 - 14.05 Wahl - Fade Away
14.10 - 14.40 Josh Lamonaca
14.45 - 15.15 Fella
15.20 - 15.50 Marie Rainsford, Tony Forrest, Montel Campbell, Kevin Luchmun, Connor Chesterton
15.55 - 16.25 Baldy
16.30 - 17.00 Diligents
Guildford-based barbershop Diligents wrapped up the weekend on a high, with team members Mart, Liam and Lawrence showcasing some of the looks from their latest collection. With Guildford being a popular location for both students and creatives, Mart explains how this has influenced the requests they see in the shop. Adding to this, Lawrence shared that he views barbering as a form of artistic expression, and by working in an area with so many fellow creatives, it's nice to have that recognised by clients.
