THE STRAY CAT STRUT COOL CATS BARBERSHOP, TAIWAN
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n the space of nearly five years, Cool Cats has become a go–to spot for Taiwanese dudes who want their fix of greasy pomps and psychobilly locks. Aesthetically and spiritually, Cool Cats embodies founder, Kaiser ‘Kai’ Huang’s love of every Americana. First opening in 2015, Cool Cats aimed to be utterly different from the more commercial salons. With his shop, Kai wanted to create an atmosphere where patrons could feel at home without any sort of retail pressure. “We all get along like friends, so if you come into our store no one will try to sell you products. You can just shoot the breeze with us or quietly relax... We will only find ways to let you go out handsomely.” Cutting hair is a major part of Kai’s life, as is his cool rockabilly aesthetic and he wants to share that with every soul that graces Cool Cats. Like so many before him, Kai started his career, not in the barbershop but the salon. Finding his way of doing things way out of place in a salon environment, he made the decisive switch to barbering. “I found barbershops on the internet and knowing people are living their life like this I knew I wanted that. I decided to switch to barbering and stepped into my first barbershop, Aunties, where I learned with Aunt Guo.” Recognising the difference between the barbershop and the salon, Kai began visiting many barbers and taking advice from each master he came across—even travelling outside of Taiwan to fully master his craft. “I started to go abroad to find someone who also loves rockabilly to see how they manage their hair. Discussing the style of a person who loves the culture may not be
as complete as a general barber, but it is a very soulful one. That’s the route I want to pursue.” Kai describes the Taiwanese culture as being one of a kind. Pulling influence from Japan, Spain and the Netherlands, the melting pot experience is as true of the country’s barber culture as it is of wider society. “We have several factions in haircutting, such as the traditional Taiwan–style barber, the western culture barber and Japanese styles. You can learn a variety of techniques here and most are willing to learn different methods.” In recent years, people have been gravitating more and more toward the barbershop. Uniquely, stylists who have seen this trend and have started opening what Kai dubs, the ‘salon barbershop’. “This always makes the public confused. We continue the revival of barber culture in Taiwan and let more people know about barbers. “The style we like is not very mainstream, but we have always insisted on it. Most people still coast along with the mainstream to please the public. “Stick to what you’re truly interested in, have no fear and don’t let the outside world change you.”