A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

In the Italian culture and tradition, where the art of barbering dates back thousands of years, barbers have long been central figures and skilled professionals, and their shops social hubs. Although there are fewer and fewer traditional barbers left, located mainly in the big cities, there are still passionate professionals who carry on the practice.

Blues Barber has become one of the most important barbers in Florence. It was first opened in 2014 by Valerio Imperiale, who learned the profession from his family, and has since added two additional units, which combine his passion for music with his work. 

The first store was opened in Via Gordigiani but Imperiale soon had to move to a larger space on Via Cimabue, in light of the success of the business in the first year.

Since Day One, Imperiale paid attention to every detail, starting from the furnishings, which were made in England in 1920 for a London barbershop. In the 1950s they were transported to the U.S. to be used in an American-style barbershop until finally arriving at Blues Barber.

Manifattura Tabacchi, a former tobacco factory, was chosen as the location for the second store. This unit hosts a corner dedicated to the Captain Santors apparel brand which draws inspiration from heritage work clothes of fishermen and sailors and employs fabrics such as selvedge denim, natural indigo cotton made from Japanese, Irish and Scottish wools, cottons and Italian and English hemp.

The third store opened in March 2020 on Via delle Cento Stelle and is located in the residential neighborhood of Campo di Marte that has always been an area of ​​artisans and antique shops.

In addition to haircuts, Imperiale offers beard restyling and two different types of shaves — American-style or Sicilian-style — as well as a whiskey experience. That idea came from combining whiskey with American-style shaving. Depending on the fragrance chosen by the customer from the Proraso single blade line — Wood and Spice or Cypress Vetyver — the shave can be paired with a Scottish peaty whiskey or a gin aged in Scottish whiskey barrels. 

The customer can also request the “relax” service which includes a facial cleansing with micellar water to remove dirt and impurities; the use of exfoliating paste with almond granules to remove dead cells from the face and a treatment with a warm cloth. 

Furthermore, Blues Barber also offers a barber service at home or the possibility of renting the entire salon for events.

Over the years, Imperiale and Blues Barber were bestowed several industry awards including four “Golden Diamond” by Uala which rewards the best salons in Italy.