Naked Barber set to head south

Sydney scene regular Richard Savvy (aka ‘The Naked Barber’) heads south in August for A Week Of Leather (AWOL), running from August 4-10. The Star Observer asked him about his Melbourne plans and what exactly a ‘naked barber’ does…

Tell us what you’ve got planned for AWOL.

It would have to be one of the biggest leather weeks in Australia, from a jock party to rope workshop and of course the Laird Leatherman comp followed by the best men’s only leather party in Australia, Code Black. I will be the special guest barber for High Shine on the Thursday night, doing haircuts in the main bar at the Laird Hotel. It’s also going to be a nice time to catch up with my leather brother Ben Rierthmuller, ‘Laird Leatherman 2012’ and see who will be handed the title in 2013.

You’re a bit of a mainstay on the Sydney scene, have you spent much time in Melbourne?

I have a lot of clients from all over Australia who come and see me when they are in Sydney for work or holiday. Some of them even make the effort to come to Sydney just to see me. I guess being a one of a kind with a good reputation for the work that I do, makes me a hot spot for gay men when they are visiting Sydney. I have been to Melbourne a few times in the last for years doing performances, but this is the first time I will be bringing The Naked Barber business to Melbourne.

You’re available for private sessions while you’re in Melbourne – what do they usually entail? Is it a little different for each client?

One thing I love most about my job is that every day is different, just like every client of mine is different. I guess the best way to describe what I do is by saying I am an erotic or fantasy barber. It’s my clients fantasy that I try and fulfill, and not my own. It could be just some basic grooming with me naked or in fetish gear of my client’s choice or it may be heaver stuff including role-play. There are a lot of men out there who have barbershop fantasy and I guess I help them make it a reality! Most of all it’s all a bit of fun between two men…

How did you first strike upon the idea of becoming ‘The Naked Barber’?

I was at a dinner party talking to my friends about where my career in hairdressing was going. Hairdressing was the only thing I knew, as I started when I left school at the age of 15 and had worked as a hairdresser for about 17 years at the time. I decided to change the way I did my work instead of choosing a totally new career path. It didn’t take long for my idea to become reality and It has taken me on one wild adventure ever since.

The Naked Barber will appear at AWOL 2013, August 4-10. www.aweekofleather.com Contact Richard at www.thenakedbarber.com.au, [email protected] or 0406 777 048.