LANGANIS Simone Presta & Michael Langanis 173 BOUNDARY STREET, WEST END, QLD 4101 10/110 MACQUARIE STREET, TENERIFFE, QLD 4101 9/243 EDWARD STREET, BRISBANE CITY, QLD 4000 Now a trailblazer in the styling business, MICHAEL LANGANIS, originally from Adelaide, moved to Brisbane in 2004. Whilst in his early teens he left on a family holiday to Europe for three months and after experiencing a family friends hair salon in Italy, Michael’s artistic nature came to life with his love of styling and music fusing into a unique profession which allowed him to master his own future without the confines of school. Upon Michael’s return he promptly dropped out of school whilst in grade 9 in pursuit of hairdressing and his new formed yet strongly sought-after passion. After returning to Brisbane, Michael scored work in a salon in Mount Gravatt called Truc Lee Hair Design which allowed him to leave school and pursue his ideal creative future. A short six months later, Michael was working in award-winning Brisbane City salon, Vogue Nationale, which broke him into more advanced hair styling methods and encouraged his venture working with prestigious, industry-leading institutions like Sydney Fashion Week, Sydney Hair Expo, and an abundance of hair and fashion shows at an elite level. This is a kid who’s still very young yet hustling to be the best – cutting his friends hair for free after work to build his skills. This prompted Michael to shift his focus to barbery – a business model which would offer unique services tailored to each client and with
a price tag substantially less than an upmarket hairdresser. After all, it’s a faultless concept, where mates of mates come in for cuts. Michael gained some experience working in a barbershop while also keeping his styling hustle from home on the side, and once he got busy enough, he went full time all himself from home. In 2014, at only 17 and as an apprentice, Michael opened his first barbery in Brisbane’s Sunnybank called Langanis Cuts. The end goal though, was to make it to West End. In 2016 he accomplished his goal he had been passionately working towards and he opened the first ever Langanis Barber. What started as a three-person operation – Michael, his sister and an apprentice – Langanis now employs over 30 staff brand-wide.
THE STORES AND THE BRAND
Store openings: West End – 2016, Teneriffe – 2019, City – 2020. The brand name is a representation of Michael and everything his work stands for, which is why it is his family name, ‘Langanis’. The stunningly unconventional Langanis studios exceed traditional expectations of a barbershop, featuring avant-garde spaces teaming with edgy neon lighting, unparalleled urban décor and a lively and memorable atmosphere. Not only is it an energetic and inviting place that is inviting for passers-by, it also features important
38 Barber Shop Year 11 Issue 1