A male hairdresser tells of how he is perceived as unmanly and gay
By Linus Akomolafe and Fakomi Olajumoke
The story of Ibrahim Ferekeh, a 23-years-old hairdresser in Aguda, Ogba area, Lagos is one which many can relate to especially the masculine gender, talented in hairstyling, but who at one point got discouraged by the bias in the society.
This is not farfetched, until 1970 hairdressing for females was a woman’s job and when a handful of men ventured into it they were faced with discrimination, a lot of which was expressed in homophobic slurs. Meanwhile, those who continued were considered gay.
Although there has been a paradigm shift in the world when it comes to the right gender for the business, the old stereotype has continued to affect the choice of males entering the hair styling business in the country.
Ibrahim, CEO of Korolan Touch, has not only been slapped but tagged gay since he began the business. He also revealed how his personality on the job has led to increased patronage within the last 9 months, as popular Nigerian cross-dresser James Brown remains one of his clients.
As we walked down the street, we saw a sign called Korolan Touch. We were plagued by too many split ends, so we walked into the salon. There we met Ibrahim, fair looking, thick, low cut hair with highlights. He wore stylish cream pants, a thin pink v-neck top and face cap. He was fixing a wig and then contact lens for a client while we exchanged pleasantries. He sounded more like a female but with a masculine charming smile, “Good afternoon, nice to meet. How may I be of help to you?”
When we engaged in a conversation, he explained that a man who chooses to be a hairstylist might not seem manly, but it does not mean that he is gay.
Many perceive cross dressers and male stylists as gay. In some Nigerian states cross-dressing is illegal. But Ibrahim believes the choice of business shouldn’t be based on gender or religion.
Speaking of his early beginning, he said: “I started as a kid in primary school, my friends would play with balls, while I used a doll. I’ve always had a passion for hairstyling. I started learning 4 years ago, I trained for one year and opened my salon two years ago. Professionally, I’ve been in the occupation for 4years.
“I do not feel intimidated, however, I face lots of challenges, like people insulting me that I am a guy doing hairstyling and will be a “woman wrapper” and all that. But it didn’t stop me from doing what I have passion for.”
Of his major challenge, he said he was once slapped by a client during his training because she thought he pricked her with a cutting comb, “I felt really bad, but thinking about the reason why I was learning, I let it go.”
“A customer has told a lie against me because she thought I stole from her wig when I didn’t. Later she found out the mistake and apologized to me.”
“There are some clients like that and I can handle them well. If you know what you are pursuing, you won’t focus on the insults.”
“Not every man can do this job. Because sometimes when some men come here to learn, they will grab a female’s head like it is a ball. But I know how to touch a lady’s hair by just looking at her. I know where to touch and the feeling that is desired. Ladies prefer people who are girlish to do their hair because they will handle their hair with care.”
For young male Nigerians derailed by their dreams of becoming a hairstylist for fear of intimidation, he said: “ For me, if you feel intimidated by what others are saying because of what you do, then you wouldn’t be able to do what you want to do.”
“First, before you start learning hairstyling, you must be interested in it, and have passion for it. I signed to learn for 1 year and I was perfect within 4 months. My boss trusted me and she allowed me to leave. Anything you are doing, because of the money in it, it might not be successful. I once had an apprentice who wanted to learn for a year, he only stayed for 2 months.”
Ibrahim added that for anyone to learn the job, he or she must first be willing to learn, develop a passion for it, purchase the desired tools, learn to handle clients and be humble.
Ibrahim Farekeh is a male hairstylist, holder of First School certificate with vision of becoming one of the world class hair stylists in Africa.
