Barbering in India, Dharmesh “Dodo” Hingorani insists, has not transformed as dramatically as people claim. It has simply been restored to visibility. “Barbering hasn’t shifted,” he says. “It has been re-accepted.”

Long before salon chains multiplied, India had barbershops. Grooming was local, community-driven, and deeply personal. What’s changed, however, is perception. When beard trends resurfaced and structured fades returned, mainstream salons began hiring barbers, and suddenly, the word “barber” became fashionable again.

For Dodo, that reclamation is personal. “Barbering was always one of India’s strongest suits,” he says, pointing to the number of Indian barbers working globally, particularly in the Middle East. “And the modern Indian barber is not someone who hesitates to own that title.”

SKILL AS THE STANDARD

If there is one thread that runs through Dodo’s journey, it is discipline. He compares it to cooking. “Watching videos does not make someone a chef. Technique, repetition, and learning from our failures do. Mastery ensures consistency, and it allows you to experiment while honing the craft. This builds credibility and a reputation that survives beyond trends.”

But his own relationship with skill was not immediate. When he first trained as a hairdresser, he was discouraged from using clippers and trimmers. However, years later, when fades surged in popularity, he realised he lacked formal barbering depth. “That’s what pushed me to head to London to train as a barber. That’s where I witnessed how barbers were celebrated as specialists and commanded such respect and awe,” he admits.

That experience shifted something fundamental. “I stopped trying to impress anyone and began refining my skills.” Technically, he learned restraint — knowing when to use a tool and when to put it down. “Knowing when to stop cutting is something that a lot of people don’t get right. This is far more important than flair,” he says. And consistency became his benchmark. “Many of my clients return because they trust that the quality will be the same every time.”

“BARBERING was always ONE OF INDIA’S STRONGEST SUIT , and the MODERN INDIAN BARBER is NOT someone who HESITATES to OWN THAT TITLE . ”

EDUCATION: THE MISSING FOUNDATION

If pride is the emotional pillar of his philosophy, education is the structural one. He is candid about the visible gaps in education. “Courses that once lasted a minimum of six months are now compressed into 30 or 40 days,” he says. If that’s not all, barbering modules are reduced to superficial demonstrations. “Some of the trainers lack the knowledge or skills themselves. Today, how quickly you can get them on the floor takes priority over in-depth mastery and skill,” he says.

At the same time, traditional barbers often learn through apprenticeships, with months spent observing before being handed clippers. However, this does mean that there’s no formal curriculum or standardisation when it comes to learning.

Which is why he believes reform must be deliberate. “Dedicated barbering academies, longer training cycles, standardised foundations, and fundamentals before trends are what the industry needs,” he says.

IMITATION IS NOT A FORM OF FLATTERY

Despite his respect for global movements, Dodo does not believe in imitation. “Most global trends are designed around Western hair types,” he explains. “Indian hair is thicker, often wavier. Clients want cuts that work with minimal styling effort. An undercut or French crop may photograph beautifully abroad. On Indian hair, without adaptation, it can look bulky or impractical.”

His role, as he sees it, is interpretation; tweaking trends to suit texture, lifestyle, and psychology. “A barber should aim to create trends, not chase them.” Borrowing from Ratatouille’s famous line that “anyone can cook,” he believes anyone can cut hair, but not everyone cuts with passion. However, as a co-founder, he has had to balance craft with commerce. “Running everything alone is impossible,” he admits. “Specialisation within partnerships is essential.”

For Dodo, the industry’s evolution is not just about tools or trends, but about mindset. Beyond logistics, he speaks about respect. “Clients asking for a haircut in ten minutes is undervaluing the skill needed for the job. We need to shift mindsets if we’re to earn respect and raise standards within the industry.”

His guiding principle for the next generation is steady: “Focus on 15 years of excellence, not 15 minutes of fame.” In the pause before a cut begins, that philosophy becomes visible. “Take pride in the chair. Barbering is a profession we can reclaim through consistency,” he concludes.