A CUT ABOVE

Meet Rino Riccio , our 2025 AMBA International Modern Barber of the Year

In an industry driven by precision, creativity, and constant evolution, it takes something truly special to stand out. Enter Rino Riccio, Head of Education at Manifesto and the newly crowned International Modern Barber of the Year at the 2025 ANZ Modern Barber Awards.

With a career shaped by a fascination with fashion and art, plus a forwardthinking approach to education and barbering, Rino’s influence is shaping not just the next generation of barbers, but the future of the industry itself. Rino’s roots in the craft run deep.

Growing up in Italy in a family of hairdressers, he was already honing his skills by the age of 12, working alongside his father in the family barbershop. “That early start gave me a deep respect for traditional skills,” he reflects. “But I’ve always believed in pushing boundaries.”

By 14, he was training, and by 16, he’d already started collecting national awards in men’s hairdressing. His journey brought him to London, where he refined his technique at leading academies including Sassoon, Toni&Guy, and HOB - a diverse foundation that allowed him to blend classic craftsmanship with a fashionforward vision.

“In my 20s, I discovered the world of session styling, and everything changed,” he explains. “There’s something incredible about the buzz of a fashion show - the pace, the creativity, which brought a whole new energy to my work.”

The Manifesto Way

Today, Rino leads education at Manifesto, a progressive men’s grooming brand based in London’s Coal Drops Yard. Founded by Mikey Pearson and Corrado Tevere, Manifesto has carved out a distinctive niche in the industry: precise, technical haircuts paired with editorial-style, natural finishes. It’s a philosophy summed up in their mantra – ‘cut technically, style naturally’.

“Manifesto isn’t your everyday barbershop,” says Rino. “It’s a place where culture, creativity and technical excellence meet. We’ve created a community - not just a salon - where both team and clients feel genuinely on board with who we are and what we believe in.”

That sense of community runs deep. At Manifesto, it’s collaboration over ego; hard work and a humble approach over chasing recognition. The team’s progressive values, inclusive approach, and fashion-savvy clientele have helped grow the brand from London roots to a globally recognised name in men’s grooming.

Shaping the Future Through Education

At the heart of Manifesto’s success lies its education programme, led by Rino, and now recognised industry wide. The team picked up the UK award for Best Training at the Modern Barber Awards in 2024 and Best Team in 2025, reinforcing their place as pioneers in both craft and culture.

Rino has developed a unique teaching framework - the ADV Model (Artistic, Design, Visual), which blends technical discipline with creative exploration. “Great hair comes from instinct, structure and imagination,” he says. “Our goal is to equip barbers with tools they can apply in the salon but also inspire them to create work that feels editorial and elevated.”

He leads internal training across Manifesto, as well as international courses for Davines, where he was instrumental in creating a tailored men’s hairdressing programme. His signature course, Classic Now, teaches advanced stylists how to execute Manifesto’s clean, modern aesthetic, blending tradition with trends.

“I’m honoured to not just be keeping up with the future of barbering; I’m helping to shape it,” says Rino. “Education is how we evolve. It’s where we pass on not just skills, but values and vision.”

Beyond the Chair

Rino’s influence reaches far beyond the salon. An in-demand session stylist, he’s styled for Gucci at the Tate Modern, contributed to GQ and Man About Town, and most recently in his role of ambassador for Davines, collaborated with Jesus Oliver on the Davines SBP tour in Italy, spreading the message of ‘Youniqueness’a celebration of individuality in hairdressing.

Back in London, Manifesto recently hosted MINGLE, a networking event in collaboration with Modern Barber and Haircuts4Homeless, raising funds while bringing together the next generation of creatives in the industry. “For me, barbering isn’t just about hair, it’s about culture and selfexpression,” says Rino. “I draw inspiration from street style, film, art. It’s all about evolving, always.”

Global Recognition

Already a multiple award-winner under the Manifesto banner, picking up International Modern Barber of the Year is a pinnacle moment for Rino, and a recognition of the broader movement he’s helping to lead. His winning collection was a celebration of contrast, blending softness and structure, discipline and freedom, wearability and high-fashion edge. It captured not only technical mastery but the soul of Rino’s vision: barbering as culture, self-expression, and art.

“Winning this award means so much to me,” he says. “My collection was based on the beauty of contradiction and uniqueness. Thank you to the people who allowed me to achieve my vision and believed in the concept - Tom Connell, Jesús Oliver and of course, the Manifesto team, who always support me creatively.”

Rino’s story is one of craft elevated by creativity. As barbering continues to evolve, one thing is certain - Rino isn’t just part of the movement. He’s leading it.

@rinoriccio

Collection Credits:

Hair: Rino Riccio

Photography: Tom Connell

Styling: Claudia Valente

Makeup: Apollonia Tolo