Altaf Khalifa won the HBS 2024 Barber Challenge Competition in the Trend Expression Category, where he received the Winner’s Trophy and a Gold Medal. We bring you this talented barber’s challenges and journey as a contestant, to the winning moment of holding the trophy!
1.How do you feel about winning the trophy at HBS 2024?
To tell you the truth, I feel like I’ve touched the sky! Especially receiving the award at the hands of Aalim Hakim was an indescribable feeling. I will never forget that feeling in my life. It was definitely a ‘dream come true’ moment for me!
2.What is your inspiration to create this winning look?
My biggest inspiration was my own mind. I have always loved to experiment, so I’d say my biggest inspiration has been my creativity and my own thought process.
3.What were the challenges that you faced during the process?
Finding a model for my look was my biggest challenge. I remember hunting for a model and it took me three months of searching non-stop. I finally found the right one for my look!
4.How did you prepare for this look?
In my mind, I knew that I wanted the model to have a fade and keep the beard connected to the hair, which is why I specifically created the look sideways so that both the beard and the fade could be seen clearly. For creating the mullet hairstyle, I prepped it with a hair dryer, wax, hairspray, and hair styling comb. For the beard, I worked with a trimmer, shaver, and scissors.
5.How has this win changed your professional life?
After this win, I feel like a celebrity hairstylist myself! I now have clients who come to get a haircut from me from as far as 100 kilometres! This win hasn’t just made me confident in my work but has also helped me win the confidence of others as well. Winning this trophy has definitely changed my life for the better!
6.What message would you like to give to the new contestants?
My only message to the new contestants is ‘Practice and Prepare’. If you want to succeed, practice is a must! Other than that, it is very important to have faith in yourself and your work.
