A new barbershop opened in October on Howe Avenue across from Downtown Danny O’s. It’s in the heart of the downtown Shelton, which matters to owner Evan Bernard.
Why?
Location.
“It’s the only marketing I got right now,” said Bernard, whose “City Stylez,” is at 442 Howe Ave.
Valley Independent Sentinel: Evan, are you a lifelong Valley resident?
Evan Bernard: No, I lived in Brooklyn until I was 15 years-old. I moved to Connecticut when I was a freshman in high school.
VIS: When did you start cutting hair?
EB: I knew how to cut hair before barber school. I started by cutting my little brother’s hair. It led to doing friends on the football team, basketball team and baseball team.
VIS: Why were you cutting your brother’s hair? Were you bored? Is that why you got started in hair?
EB: No it runs in my family. My uncle owned a barbershop for years and my aunt is a professional hairstylist. But, the main reason was we moved to Bridgeport and I didn’t think I could find anyone to cut my hair.
VIS: Where did you train professionally?
EB: I trained at Hero Barbering Academy in Newtown and then transferred and finished at Head Quarters Institute in Bridgeport.
VIS: Let’s talk hairstyles for men. What’s in?
EB: Mohawks are big. Designs — people like designs.
VIS: Designs? In your hair?
EB: I can take a trimmer and do designs in the hair. Braids are also in for guys with longer hair. Not braids that hang out, more like cornrows.
VIS: Do you do cornrows?
EB: No, I don’t but I will be getting two girls to do it. Guys don’t like guys doing it. Women do that.
VIS: So, what’s the culture of your business?
EB: The name is City Stylez, so it has an urban style. That’s why I chose the name City Stylez. They think New York Style and New York is the Mecca of the world. That’s where I originally got my style and when people see City Stylez they know what kind of barbershop it is. However, I do all types of hair styles. I specialize in young hairstyles, but I am very good at classic style.
VIS: What’s classic style?
EB: A classic men’s haircut is an old Marlon Brando style, as in “The Godfather.” It’s cut and pushed back like an old cool movie star. It’s classic — not too long and clean around the neck.
VIS: I see the poster of Brando in The Godfather on the wall from the movie. I take it you like The Godfather?
EB: I love the Godfather movies. I saw them all.
VIS: How much would a cut cost if someone came in?
EB: $15.00 for an adult cut, $20.00 for a full beard. If they want a shave, $10.00 bucks. I do a hot towel, straight razor and a cleaning.
VIS: What makes a good cut?
EB: Figuring out what exactly the client wants and giving it to them. To listen, listen, listen — and to talk only ten percent of the time. They talk ninety percent. It also has to be relaxing. That’s why I do a hot towel treatment. That’s part of the old school, where people have a long day at work and get a hot towel and shave at the end of the day.
VIS: Any last words you want to share, Evan?
EB: Well, most important, is that I am an old school barber who does new school styles.
