Barber Dan proves he is a cut above the rest (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Barber Dan proves he is a cut above the rest

5:30pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in Local By Adam Richards

A BASINGSTOKE hairdresser scooped first place in a barbering battle, in which he created images of pop-stars in a person’s hair.

Dan Purdue, 30, from Crown Heights, went head-to-head with other barbers from all over the country in Battle of the Barbers competition at London’s Excel Centre on October 14.

In just 45 minutes, the former Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) student gave 17-year-old Connor Nurse, a student from Buckskin, an extraordinary haircut.

Using only clippers and a razor, Dan created portraits of rappers Kanye West and Rick Ross, as well as an image of a champagne bottle exploding, in Connor’s hair.

His effort impressed the judges who awarded him first place in the competition.

“I actually liked being onstage and dealing with the pressure,” said Dan. “I had it all planned out in my head beforehand, so to have 45 minutes was an added benefit.

“I was proud with what I did. I have been waiting for a show like this to come along so I can show what I can do.”

Dan took up barbering at BCoT, in Worting Road, when he was 17, and in 2008 set up Raggos Barbering Studio, in Church Square.

Dan said he chose to specialise in creative cuts because of his obvious talent and because it was difficult to find a studio outside London capable of offering the designs.

“I took it up because I am a very creative-minded person,” said Dan. “I don’t like doing the same thing every single day, and by doing this it is always different.”