AUSTRALIA'S NEWEST AMERICAN CREW ALLSTAR - MATT CLARKE

The stage was set at the Australian Modern Barber Awards (AMBAs) in Surfers Paradise on May 5, 2025. It was already a night of celebration for Matt Clarke, who was crowned AMBA Modern Barber of the Year for the second time in his career. But then came the announcement that elevated him from industry leader to global ambassador: Matt had officially been named an American Crew All-Star.

It was more than just another accolade. For Matt, and for the Australian barbering community he represents, it was recognition that his skill, creativity, and passion for education had earned him a place among an elite global network, one that continues to set the benchmark in men’s grooming.

Joining a Prestigious Legacy

The American Crew All-Star program is one of the most respected platforms in the men’s grooming world. All-Stars are selected not only for their technical mastery but also for their influence as educators, mentors, and visionaries. They are the people chosen to carry American Crew’s philosophy into classrooms, onto stages, and across editorial and commercial platforms worldwide.

By joining the All-Stars, Matt takes his place alongside some of Australia’s most influential barbers: Mark Rabone, Lino D’Adderio, and Gary McKenzie. Together, this group represents more than a century of combined experience and achievement, forming a powerhouse team that puts Australia firmly on the global grooming map.

A Career Defined by Excellence

Matt’s appointment is the result of over a decade of consistent excellence. With 11 years of hands-on barbering experience and eight years as an educator and mentor, he has built a career that balances precision behind the chair with leadership in front of it.

Recognition has followed at every turn. In 2023, he was named AMBA Australian Barber of the Year, a title that marked his arrival as one of the country’s leading barbers. Two years later, he added a second AMBA trophy for Modern Barber of the Year, proving his staying power in a constantly evolving industry.

Internationally, his skills were validated when he took out top honours at the 2022 Mizutani World Cutting Competition, a globally recognised event that celebrates technical brilliance and creativity. He also took home the 2025 AHIA Creative Men’s Hair Specialist winner’s trophy, underlining his versatility and consistency across barbering and men’s hairdressing.

Creative Versatility

What makes Matt such a natural fit for the All-Star roster is not only his ability to win competitions, but his creative adaptability. His work has appeared in collaboration with leading global brands including ASOS, Topman, GQ Magazine, Adidas, Revlon Professional, Heiniger Professional, and of course, American Crew.

From high-fashion editorials to commercial styling and professional education, Matt has proven he can move fluidly between different worlds of men’s grooming. This versatility speaks to his broad skill set and his creative eye, but it also demonstrates his ability to keep barbering relevant across cultures, platforms, and industries.

Education at His Core

If there is one thread that runs consistently through Matt’s career, it is education. For more than eight years he has been committed to mentoring and training, whether through formal education providers, industry workshops, or stage presentations.

He has become known for his ability to break down advanced techniques into practical, usable skills that barbers at every stage of their career can adopt. This talent for communication and accessibility makes him invaluable as an All-Star, where education is one of the program’s central pillars.

“Barbering isn’t just about cutting hair, it’s about people,” Matt has said. “If I can pass on knowledge that makes someone else better, that’s success.”

Authenticity and Influence

American Crew’s choice of Matt is also about character. Beyond his technical mastery, he is recognised for the way he shows up for others, authentic, approachable, and deeply committed to the craft. He has built a reputation not only as a skilled barber but as someone who uplifts others through mentoring, collaboration, and his drive for growth and innovation. His appointment as an All-Star reflects these qualities as much as his technical skill. As Phoenix Thompson, American Crew’s Global Director of Education, put it:

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Matthew Clarke to the All-Star team. His hard work and passion are a testament to the core values of American Crew, and we look forward to seeing his continued contributions to our brand.”

Representing Australia on a Global Stage

For the Australian barbering industry, Matt’s appointment is a point of pride. It highlights the influence that Australian talent now has in global grooming conversations. By joining Rabone, D’Adderio, and McKenzie, Matt ensures that Australia continues to be seen as a hub of innovation and artistry in men’s style.

It also means his voice, creativity, and education will now be amplified on international stages, a responsibility he carries with enthusiasm. For barbers at home, his journey offers proof that global recognition is possible without leaving Australian soil.

Looking Ahead

Becoming an American Crew All-Star is not an endpoint for Matt, but the beginning of a new chapter. The role will see him travel more widely, working on stage, and across global editorial campaigns. It will give him a platform to showcase his artistry while continuing to mentor and inspire barbers around the world.

“I’ve been fortunate to achieve things I never thought possible,” he reflected. “But what drives me is the chance to inspire others, whether that’s someone in my chair, a student in class, or a barber halfway across the world watching what we do here in Australia.”

More Than a Title

To describe Matt Clarke as simply a barber is to undersell his influence. He is a craftsman, an educator, a creative force, and now, one of the faces of a global brand that has shaped men’s grooming for three decades.

His appointment as an American Crew All-Star is a recognition of everything he has achieved, but also a promise of what’s still to come. For Mocha Barber readers, his story is both an inspiration and a reminder: barbering today is about more than haircuts. It’s about education, innovation, collaboration, and a global community that values authenticity as much as artistry.

As Matt Clarke steps into his new role, he carries with him not just his own ambition but the reputation of Australian barbering. And if history is any guide, he will do both with the same passion, precision, and authenticity that got him here.

@matt.clarke.hair @americancrewoz