VAN DA GOAT

PHILADELPHIA, PA @VANDAGOAT

Proud Philly native, Van Campbell goes by @VanDaGOAT on Instagram, and with good reason. His GOAT mentality shows in his dedication to his craft and his determination to take barbering to new heights of creative expression. Now with over 25 years of barbering under his belt, 54.5K Instagram followers, and a growing reputation for trailblazing precision artistry, Van Campbell has established himself as a powerhouse member of the Barberology team.

So, what inspires and influences Van? He said: “I’m inspired by art, I had a scholarship to go to art school when I graduated from high school, but I went to barber school instead, I've been cutting hair since I was 10 years old when my mom bought me my first pair of clippers!

“My style was influenced by the city of Philadelphia where I’m from, coming up in the ’80s and early ‘90s my city had some of the sharpest barbers around, way before social media.”

What’s Van’s style? “Well, I’d say being original and classic. What I mean about classic is, being true to the art of barbering in a sense of clean fades, shaves, and professionalism. The name Van Da Goat came from 1993 when I was in barber school and some of the other students used to call me GOAT because of my fades, so I would write in my barber school textbook Van Da Goat all the time and it stuck with me ever since!”

Van has been with BaBylissPRO for seven years now. He said: “I got signed with the company in 2015, Jay Majors actually told the company about me! (Shout out to Jay Majors for that plug) it has changed my life ever since.

“I love being a part of BabylissPRO and the Babyliss4Barbers team because it’s like a family over here, it’s no HATE. We all have different cutting styles, but we all support each other and push one another to be great, our clippers and other barbering tools are second to none, and this company is all about innovation! I have been cutting for over 35 years and have NEVER seen anything like the products and tools BabylissPRO has come out with before, when I think they have reached the ceiling, they make another innovative barbering tool!”

How did Van feel when he found out he was going to be part of the influencer team? He said: “When I found out I was selected to be one of the next influencers to have their own signature clippers, I was floored. I actually cried, to be honest. My mom gave me my first pair of clippers when I was 10 years old because she couldn’t afford to get my hair cut as often as I wanted to, and to see where cutting hair has taken me after all these years – around the world and back, I say it was WRITTEN! I wish my mom was here now to see my face on the box of my very own clippers. She passed away in 2006 from breast cancer. This all wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for her.”

A takeaway piece of advice from Van? “Study your craft, work on your weak points, and network with others that have the same passion for this industry as you. Being around other barbers and stylists gives you a type of hunger you might not get being by yourself. Inspiration is KEY."