Premiere Orlando 2008

This is the big weekend for clipper cutting in Orlando, FL. We had run ads on Craig’s List looking for models. Our class descriptions for this show were pretty specific so we need the right heads. We will see who shows up. It is June and not August, but it will still be pretty hot down here. This will be the first show where we will talk up both the world record event and the new Andis / YouTube project. As always, there is a lot of fun to be had. See you on International drive bright and early tomorrow.

andis on YouTube

Andis is now on YouTube. We are posting educational videos on YouTube. We are going to try to post 1 each week. We will focus the content on new tools, interesting facts and great how-to clipper cutting info. If there is a topic you would like to see addresses in the video series, let us know. Email me at expert@andisco.com and suggest a video subject. If we pick your topic to feature you will win a FREE Andis prize. Do not forget to subscribe to the video series (it is FREE). Just set up a user name and a password (FREE) and click subscribe. Every time we post a new video you will get it emailed to you. Be the first to see them. Got to http://www.youtube.com and use any of the following search words to find Andis there:
“andis”, “Ivan”, “clipper”, “taper”, ”Zoot”, “hair” Use more than one and you will find us even faster.

Oil it!

I got a kick out of a comment on one of my youtube videos. I have one up that covers the use of andis maint. products. In the video I mention the need to use clipper oil “every client, every time” just as I have in every live performance for nearly 20 years. The comment challenges that this is a statement just designed to sell more oil. You can buy a lifetime supply of oil for $10. Not a really big investment. The commenter then goes on to suggest that next we will be suggesting that clients get their hair cut every 2 days. Now there is a bright idea. I like that idea. This makes my once a week clipper cut seem lazy and careless.

The Road to the World record

This is the first time I am mentioning it here. I am well on my way and deep into the process of pulling off another assault on a Guinness world haircutting record. I am chronicling this project on another blog. To learn more and follow along have a look at http://www.clipperguysays.blogspot.com You can subscribe and have updates emailed to you every time I post. I would love to have you along for the adventure. Please join us!

Mowhawk, FauxHawk and now... LowHawk

Every once in a while we get the opportunity to give a willing clipper cut client a mowhawk. It is a lot of fun, few and far between and not too commercial. We have all done a lot of fauxhawks. You know those… the guy wants to be a bit out there… thinks he is cutting edge, but without too much edge. So he asks for a fauxhawk. What he really wants is a longish, basic cut… and he wants to style it a bit funkier on the weekend… yet still not too offensive for the 5 day work week. Not too much glamour here, really. Just a textured basic cut with a glop of goop for style. Get ready for the next big thing. We have started to see a few out there. I have decided to give it a name. remember, you heard the name here first. The next big trend in men’s clipper cutting is the LOWHAWK. This one is a bit more of a commitment to the style then the “force it in foauhawk”. This is a low, wide crest on the top of the head. This is clippered way up, past the curve of the head. This is very short on the sides. This does not need a whole lot of styling goop as it is more carved in as a shape and less forced in as style. One great way to make this look really pop is to use the canvass of the side of the head for the placement of a carved design. I am doing just this at a big event this weekend. I have been asked to present a segment on fashion and trend. I will rock the house with my lowhawk technique and I will carve in relief, flames on the side for extra punch. Look here for post-event pictures.

What a Relief

Clipper design carving is hotter than ever. This is a skill that takes practice. The second level of this skill is carving in relief. Carving a design into the hair is tough to begin with. Carving a design out of the hair is then next level in difficult. To carve a design in you are using your trimmer like a pencil to draw in what you envision. To carve a design out you are working in reverse, working in relief. You are carving away the excess and leaving the design. This is a different, inside out, way of thinking and drawing. I am working on a few standard designs that I can bang out repeatedly in relief. It helps to draw the design out on paper a few times to have the lines laid out in your head. It only appears to be spontaneous creativity.

Premiere Orlando, 2008

This show has been moved from August to early June. The Orlando convention center will once again host this important event. Andis will have classroom spots featuring me and some “up close and clippered” classes. We will be featuring high and tight, flat top and faded cuts and all the tricks of the trade to make them happen easy and awesome. The floor stage will feature cutting and the best tool deals of the year for you to shop hard and shop well.

New tools

Once again I post a teaser message. There will be some great new Andis professional tools available for you later in 2008. Be on the lookout. I cannot say more other than to say that there are a few things that I have been wanting to see us offer for some time… and we would not put It out there until we knew we got them right… and we have got them right.

Entering the Art Zone

I had a chance to spend a few min with Mario from Entering the Art Zone at the IBS show in NYC. The Art Zone offers some great clipper cutting on DVD as well as some neat-O clipper accessories. You should check them out.

The booth monkey delivers again

The Andis good luck booth monkey mascot delivered again in a big way. From his perch in the rafters of the Andis trade show display he oversaw a huge event for the Andis team at IBS NY this past weekend. He will be present on June 1 and 2 in Orlando, FL for the Premiere show. Will you be there to see him and experience the Andis educational magic?