SLCKR Community Spotlight: Evan Demers

We’re back with a July edition of SLCKR Community Spotlight. This month, we’re featuring Evan Demers, owner and operator of Anthony’s Barber Shop here in Philadelphia. Evan has been a staple here in the Philadelphia barbering world for a minute now. In fact, he was one of the first barber’s I followed on Instagram back in the days when it was solely haircut photos! Evan is a bit of an old soul at heart and it shows in his aesthetic choices of his new, but old barbershop. Head to Anthony’s and you’ll find a business with over a hundred years of history, even though it just opened its doors this year.

Introduce yourself!

"Tyler! First off, I appreciate you wanting to do a small interview with me. I love what you and Ben are doing for the industry! My names Evan Demers, from Exton, pa. 12 years ago, I picked up a pair of clippers. It reminded me of the first time I found a skateboard- it just felt right. True love. I remember my first haircut- working at Red Robin in the kitchen- I convinced a coworker to get a free haircut. Talking shit, laughing about life’s challenges, trying to fade this kids hair (without a clue). I immediately fell in love with the lifestyle it could bring. It felt rebellious. I thought, I could do this for the rest of my life."

You're in your new space now, Anthonys Barber Shop. It's your first time stepping out to do your own thing. How has that been for you and when did you know it was time?

"Man, it’s been an incredible experience so far! I’m really proud of myself for opening Anthony’s. The amount of support from my loyal clients, following me through thick and thin - it’s kept my chair spinning since day one opening. Beyond grateful. I knew it was time to get serious about 2 years ago. Cutting out distractions, shifting priorities, and digging deep to what it is I want out of my life and with barbering." 

The styling in the shop feels like something out of the 50's. Can you talk about your design process and some of the history of some of the special pieces in the shop?

"Yes! Turns out, most of my main pieces are from 20s to 40s - some 50s. I love old shit with character. A story. Some barber 100 years ago had this barber pole in his shop window? Yeah, I’m gonna need that! I searched and tracked down an original, late 20s barbershop station back bar. Fits 3 chairs. It was perfect man. Pale green paint, perfectly distressed - cream and green floral etched milk glass- original mirrors with the right amount of patina.

My pal, Lou, the barber. 85 years old, him and his father were both barbers in manayunk and were raised right above the barbershop. Lou would come downstairs as a child and help sweep for his father. Eventually learning the trade and cutting side by side. What a beautiful dream. I had the pleasure of meeting and acquiring some of Lou’s items from his timeless shop, that had recently closed. My waiting chairs and porcelain hand sink were those from Lou. My vision for Anthony’s - create something people would feel like instant nostalgia and to bring back a real classic barbershop."

You've cut in a number of different shops of the years. Can you speak to the importance of cutting your teeth in different shops?

"It’s incredibly important, man. For me. I’ve seen it all! I got my start here in Philadelphia, fresh out of barber school. Stood around in street walk-in shops, broke, cutting anyone who would give me the chance - to the higher end appointment based shops and everything in between. I remember when I started making some real barber cash, me and the original black comb barbershop crew were all buying new cars! Haha. Ive been up, I’ve been down. I was even the only white kid in a black barbershop at one point, right on south st. You really should learn and respect barbering in every way possible in my opinion. Do it the right way. Make your name heard in all the shops, try them all out. Have some old head barbers give you the nod. My man Eddie Rivera, in my opinion, one of Philly’s top barbers of all time, took me under his wing early, showed me how to cut hair, and carry myself as a barber. Forever grateful and owe a lot to him!"

I remember first following you during the early barber IG days where you could throw a nice photo up to showcase your work. How has your relationship to socials and capturing your work changed over the years? Is it something that still feels important for you today?

"Wow, great question! Shout out to any barber reading this who can relate. Back in the early IG barber days - those grainy low quality phone pics! I don’t know when it happened - 2013? but when we saw some of the first barbers throwing pics on IG from DSLR cameras, it was over! I bought one immediately. You know, then big barbershop repost IG pages came out! That was huge for the industry. Barbershopconnect was like getting your haircut picture on primetime television haha. You could really gain traction and followers back then- I really enjoyed those days. It brought barbering tighter as a community. I will say, with all of the trend shift today, reels, PowerPoint style videos, commercial like content. It’s not for me. I just do what I like. A little picture, maybe attach a song to it. Barely tag anyone. I’m always down for a little video clip or lifestyle shoot, but very humble and lowkey."

What’s next for you & Anthony’s?

"What’s next for me and Anthony’s? My son, Anthony, helping out. That’s his shop! My girlfriend, Courtney, beautifully paying visits. My friends stopping by, talking shit and smoking cigarettes out front. I’m living my dream right now. Slow and steady…"

That’s all for this month’s community highlight. Be sure to keep up with Evan on Instagram at @evan_thebarber and @anthonysbarbershopphila to follow along his journey.