Spotlight on Depot Ambassador ANTHONY TAVERNA

Anthony started his barbering journey in Amsterdam over a decade ago. After completing Barber school in London, he moved back to Australia and opened Plek Barbershop in Adelaide’s CBD and now their second space in the Western Suburbs.

We chat with Anthony about his journey...

What does becoming a DEPOT ambassador mean to you and how does it connect with your journey as a barber?

Becoming an Ambassador with Depot feels like the culmination of years of work and dedication paying off. To be aligned with such a great brand, who represents some of the industry’s best talent, and so many people that I look up to, is very gratifying. The brand stands for excellence, and to be a part of that image is exactly where I (and Plek) want to be.

Your new barbershop has a strong identity. What was your vision when creating it and how does it represent who you are as a barber?

Both shops represent everything I am as a barber. They represent the journey that I, Dana (my wife), and Plek have taken over the years.

Our first space has a more traditional layout, and will always represent my roots as barber. Our new space has been deliberately curated for the best customer, and barber experience. We think it shows the growth of the industry, while also paying homage to the tradition of a barbershop. The layout of the cutting area brings a unique vibe, the wash area has its own calming ambience, and then we have a content creation space. We think that what we have created is the perfect place to hone your craft, and an even more perfect place to come as a client.

Barbering is more than a service; it’s an art form. What inspires your creativity and keeps you moving forward in the industry?

I couldn’t agree more. This is a beautiful service and art, all wrapped up in one. I get inspired by the people I work alongside with at brands like Depot and JRL. I still draw inspiration from people I was lucky enough to work with in Amsterdam too. Also, everyone out there doing great things for the industry and continuing to produce awesome work. How can you not be inspired with some of the work we are lucky enough to see today, both internationally and here. Getting to attend events, meet, chat, pick the brains of, and get to know these people, is a huge inspiration for me.

There is a common theme amongst all these people, and it seems to be the constant pursue of growth, personally, as a business, and as an industry leader. That always fuels my drive to create something great for people to share in. We want to create an awesome place to work for our staff, and also create a home like feel for anyone walking into the shops, partnered with the best quality service available.

I’ve also based the service on what I’d want as a client, so It remains authentic to me and our brand. I’ve always had a strong will to progress, and Dana and I have a vision for the future that inspires me too. We know what we want, and what it looks like, so having us both in pursuit of a common goal is a great driving force.

DEPOT values tradition while reimagining it for the modern man. How do you balance classic techniques with your own style?

This has been a progressive thing over the years. First you have to understand the tradition of barbering and where it came from. I have worked on honing in on the art of shaving and beards, and the classic men’s barbering styles for many years before learning how to weave modern techniques into it. I am now fascinated with learning modern styles and seeing how we can adapt these into the traditional barbershop.

My style isn’t one thing, it will keep adapting and evolving with the industry, however I will always keep my passion for a traditional shave, which for me remains the quintessential barber experience.

As a DEPOT ambassador, what impact do you hope to make within the barbering community?

As a Depot ambassador, and as an ambassador of our industry in general, I always hope to leave it better than when I came into it. So much has changed, and now the industry is stronger, and there is such an emphasis on learning, development and service. I want to be able to show new barbers how great this career can be, and the opportunities that can follow with hard work and dedication, and keep showing people that sit in my chair what it means to have service done by people that dedicate time and energy into every cut or shave.

What do you love most about DEPOT as a brand and which product is your go-to behind the chair?

Honestly, I love the range, it has something for everyone, and every occasion. I love the smell and the packaging. I love the care put into the ingredients, which shows when you use it. I’m always a sucker for a great shave cream and can’t get enough of the charcoal paste now either, it seems to work seamlessly with today’s trends.

@plekbarbershopo @depotmaletools.au @conceptualbrands