Note: We now have shop dogs! Zed has two dogs (medium-tiny Enzo, and very-tiny Franklin) that are in the shop on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Please alert us to any allergies that may affect your experience, and we will ensure that the space is ventilated and the dogs are contained to the very rear of the shop during your appointment.

JESSIE (owner)

Jessie Anderson (he/him) is a transgender man who grew up in East Van, just a few blocks away from where Big Bro’s Barbershop currently stands. A graduate of London School’s Old School Barbering course, Jessie specializes in ultra-short skin fades, straight razor shaves, and enhanced masculinization for clients who may struggle with being recognized as men by the public. However, Jessie has worked and lived with a diverse mix of queer folks since 2004, and enjoys using his understanding of society’s gendered beauty expectations to help clients construct a creative aesthetic of their very own!

Jessie has experience working with:

• varied hair types, lengths, and textures
• folks with specific needs (neurodivergencies, disabilities, trauma, etc.)
• most ages (toddlers through seniors)
• dramatic long-to-short hair chops
• many, many genders

Beyond his experience with hair, Jessie has been navigating BC’s trans health care system since 2007, and has spent years building a strong personal network of trans-friendly businesses, health care providers, non-profits, event organizers, and more. If you have a question about transition and/or local resources for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, Jessie can usually dig up an answer!

Website: JessieAnderson.com

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LIA

Lia (they/them) is a pan, genderqueer, poly, Plural trans femme who’s been barbering since 2013, living in Vancouver since 2014, and transitioning since 2015. Lia was born, assigned male, and raised in Kamloops, BC. They wanted to transition as early at 19, but, frustrated with the lack of support structures out in the Lower Mainland, they moved out to Vancouver. They are now eager to share her experience and assist other trans people.

Lia’s has been doing ‘masculine’ short haircuts and fades for most of their career, but also enjoys working with femme hairstyles of any length, and loves tailoring overly specific detail work to people’s specifications.

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SKYLAR

Skylar Bakes (they/them) is a two-spirit, chronically ill/disabled Indigenous person. Originally from Squamish, Sky is a graduate of MC College Kelowna. Skylar received certificates for hair design, color, texture, and sculpture (a fancy way of saying “haircuts”), along with their Diploma. Skylar specializes in vivid colors, and longer hairstyles. Despite being specialized in vivids and longer hair, Skylar still loves highlights, blondes, shorter cuts and breaking out the clippers for a solid fade. Skylar also has experience combing matting out of hair (please email or call first if you are hoping to have matts removed.)

Skylar has experience working with:

• varied hair types, lengths, and textures
• folks with specific needs (neurodivergencies, disabilities, trauma, etc.)
• most ages (kids through seniors)
• dramatic long-to-short hair chops
• many, many genders

Outside of business hours, Skylar works to actively protest colonial government. Skylar is a mobility aid user. They are always down to chat about the struggle of facing multiple access barriers, and hopes our shop can help with that at least a little.

Instagram: @SkylarBakesHair

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ALEX

Alex (he/they) is an autistic, white, transmasculine creative stylist and artist who works both independently and alongside Big Bros Barbershop. He graduated top of his class for Hair Art Design from the John Casablanca Institute in June 2021, and has been renting the chair in the back from his mentor Zed ever since. Alex has experience with all types and textures of hair, and will never turn anyone away for their hair condition, texture, length, etc. His main goal is to make sure that everyone, regardless of gender or presentation, leaves his chair feeling like their true selves. Alex works with all ages, with his youngest client (so far) being 3 years old!

Starting his transition around 18 years old and just finishing highschool, Alex does well with teenagers and young adults in the beginning stages of transition – especially ones that may be struggling with family acceptance and self image. During his early teen years he was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety secondary to physical chronic ailments, and has struggled since through many ups and downs…but always made it out the other side. He has been on testosterone for 5+ years, has had keyhole top surgery with Dr. Genoway, as well as a hysterectomy + partial oviarectomy, and is more than happy to discuss and answer any questions. In his spare time Alex enjoys being an art gremlin: painting, drawing, sculpting, beading, and embroidery only begin to touch on his many hoarded hobbies, and you might even be able to find someone of his pieces around the back of the shop for sale!

Currently Alex only offers hair cuts and washes through Big Bros Barbershop, however he has a great passion for fashion colours that can be booked with him directly.

Instagram: @Coastal_Queer

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