Monday 7th March, 2022 at 3:37pm
Aspiring Glasgow barber and Partick Thistle season ticket holder, Edson McCall, is a cut above the rest by winning a UK-wide barbering competition after discovering his passion for barbering during lockdown and joining the Made Academy in November 2021.
Edson’s winning style and finish. Photography by Lawrence Conway and Steven Wood
Edson, son of Jags manager Ian McCall, won first prize in the City & Guilds and The MHfed Digital Barbering Competition 21/22, earning the praise of a judging panel of industry experts including Adam Sloan, Phil Jarman, Simon Shaw and Anthony Hutton.
The success is even more amazing as 18-year-old Edson only began experimenting in barbering at home during the first lockdown in 2020, taking to it quickly and using online tutorials to develop his craft. Supported by his family, Glasgow Kelvin College student, Edson then enrolled in Made: The Academy for Modern Barbering and through the combination of his course, the academy and his work experience with Rebel Rebel, Finnieston – has now become a best in the UK award winner.
Edson said: “I’m really happy to win this award, which comes after a lot of hard work and is only possible thanks to the support of Glasgow Kelvin College, the Made Academy for Modern Barbering and Rebel Rebel. I’m excited by what the future holds as I continue to work hard and develop my skills with the help of those around me.”
During the first lockdown, Edson started cutting hair at home via self-learning tutorials, before discovering his passion. With the support of his family, he found the course at Made and signed up.
Edson’s dad Ian McCall said: “All the family and close friends of Edson are immensely proud of him. He has really applied himself and this is terrific recognition for his hard work and skill, which is even more notable as so much of it was learned during lockdown and restrictions.
“The support of Glasgow Kelvin College, Made and Rebel Rebel can’t be understated, and I’d like to thank them all for the invaluable support and guidance they have given Edson so far.”
The Made Academy opened in April 2018, an innovative commercial partnership between Glasgow Kevin College and Rebel Rebel, providing industry relevant training, an internationally recognised qualification and a work-ready talent pipeline to the barbering industry.
Tracy Leavy, Glasgow Kelvin College Faculty Director and Qualifications Director of MADE said: “We are so proud of Edson’s achievement, he took the opportunity to enter this competition, selected a great model and then produced amazing work for his entry. The industry needs talented, enterprising new barbers just like Edson. It is truly rewarding to watch our student barbers develop and grow throughout their programme and then emerge into the industry.
Derek Smeall, Principal, Glasgow Kelvin College, said: “Well done Edson, you have done the College proud as well as our partners at Rebel Rebel. On behalf of staff, your fellow students and the Board of the College, congratulations!”
