West End style hotspot a melting pot of diversity

This month’s reopening of one West End’s styling hotspots was no accident, with NAIDOC celebrations in full force alongside the reveal of the iconic local barbershop which has transformed into a melting pot of youth and culture. 

Waves Barber Shop (formally Langanis) has been completely overhauled as a nod to the evolving diversity and popularity of West End, making it more accessible for more varied demographics while maintaining the top quality and energetic vibe the group is renowned for. 

In an effort to stay true to its roots, Waves will also be the brand’s very own practical hub where apprentice barbers gain experience on the tools before making their way up the ranks as qualified barbers. 

One of them is Jasiah Mackie, an Indigenous Aussie who works alongside a host of other young and dissimilar barbers who all have one thing in common – they love what their company is bringing to the local community. 

“Waves is a great example of how the Langanis brand is growing with their clientele and, as an indigenous Aussie and lead barber, I’m pumped to be a part of it,” barber Jasiah Mackie said. 

We sat down with Jasiah for a chat about what it’s like as a young barber in West End…

How did you get into barbering?

I cut hair at Langanis once a week while I was in high school. I’ve been working with Langanis for four years now so I’m really happy to step up and take the lead at Waves. 

What do you love most about the job?

Every single day is different - you never know what you could be doing or who you might be servicing. West End definitely keeps things interesting. There’s always something going on in the area and the vibes are really high around here lately. It’s a great spot. I also really love meeting new people. A lot of my friendships have been formed while barbering - it’s the best thing in the world. At the core of things though, I’ve always had a passion for art. I love painting, and cutting hair is just another expression of art for me. 

Tell us a bit about the people you work with at Waves? 

They’re a really diverse bunch, which is great. In store we around a dozen staff total, two others are also First Nation’s. We all get along really well and love what Langanis is doing at Waves and it’s awesome to be a part of it. 

What makes Waves different from other barbers? 

We really aren’t your average barbershop. We’re trained by the best to provide the best and Waves is cool because we can still do what we do but at a lower price point, making our service more available to everyday people. Our company really cares about providing that quality service and haircut for everyone, which I love.

Located at 173 Boundary Street, the Langanis group services Brisbane via four locations and employs over 30 staff collectively. 

To learn more about Waves you can follow their journey on Instagram at @_wavesbarbershop.