(Miri, 9th) The five-day "Barber Takeover 1.0 2025" hair art festival was successfully held from June 4th to 8th in Miri, attracting barbers and enthusiasts from all over the country and Brunei to gather together and showcase exquisite hairdressing skills and creativity.
As the highlight of this event, the "Barber Battle" haircut competition featured two categories: "Classic Haircut" and "Creative Haircut," attracting more than 60 contestants from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sibu, Mukah, Serian, Lawas, Miri, and Brunei, making it a grand occasion.
In the classic haircut category held on June 7th, Dzulkarnain Manudin (Lawas) won the championship, receiving RM1,500 in cash prizes and a professional electric clipper. The Miri contestant, Mohd Abi Rafdi Bin Suhaili, won second place, receiving RM1,000 in cash and a professional electric clipper. Third place was taken by Russell Teo Kien Huat from Kota Kinabalu, who received RM500 in cash and professional scissors.
In the creative haircut category held on June 8th, the championship was taken by Tradius Mui from Sabah, winning RM1,500 in cash and a professional electric clipper. Miri's Peter John won second place, receiving RM1,000 in cash and a professional electric clipper, and third place went to Steve Doughlas, also from Miri, who received RM500 in cash and professional scissors.
The award ceremony was hosted by Miri's Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ariffen. In his speech, he said that Miri is not only a city of oil and tourism but is also moving towards becoming a capital of creative economy and lifestyle.
"The Barber Battle injects more diverse elements into Miri's city activities, enriching the cityscape along with music festivals, food festivals, fishing competitions, and community carnivals. It also injects vitality into the local economy, benefiting industries such as hotels, catering, and transportation."
This event was organized by POSH WORK and co-organized with the Sarawak Indigenous Entrepreneurs Chamber Miri branch. The main sponsors include Mamuara Bank, DUBS Miri branch, Chef X, and Gamma+ Malaysia.
The competition was judged by multiple professional judges, including Hairchitect Studio founder and Gamma+ brand ambassador Bryan Munan and Smol Studio's Uncle Jeff. Bryan Munan also personally hosted a free haircut workshop, sharing skills and experiences. He emphasized during a student's question, "First, you must be a good person, and then you can be a good barber."
The event also featured pop-up booths from various barber brands, including Tok Man's Barbershop, Gustar Barbershop, Barberyenshop, K24 Barber, Hair2day, Gras Barbershop, Kiyahe Barber, and Yann Barber. The free teaching instructors also included Dilly, Asfro, Tok Man, Yus Zero Gap, Uncle Jeff, and Bryan Munan.
According to event manager Siti Hawa, POSH WORK and the Sarawak Indigenous Entrepreneurs Chamber Miri branch plan to host a nationwide Barber Battle competition later this year, with Miri expected to be the host city. Additionally, "Barber Takeover 2.0" will be held next year on a larger scale, with higher prizes and in an indoor venue, further promoting the development of local hairdressing art and creative culture.
As the highlight of this event, the "Barber Battle" haircut competition featured two categories: "Classic Haircut" and "Creative Haircut," attracting more than 60 contestants from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sibu, Mukah, Serian, Lawas, Miri, and Brunei, making it a grand occasion.
In the classic haircut category held on June 7th, Dzulkarnain Manudin (Lawas) won the championship, receiving RM1,500 in cash prizes and a professional electric clipper. The Miri contestant, Mohd Abi Rafdi Bin Suhaili, won second place, receiving RM1,000 in cash and a professional electric clipper. Third place was taken by Russell Teo Kien Huat from Kota Kinabalu, who received RM500 in cash and professional scissors.
In the creative haircut category held on June 8th, the championship was taken by Tradius Mui from Sabah, winning RM1,500 in cash and a professional electric clipper. Miri's Peter John won second place, receiving RM1,000 in cash and a professional electric clipper, and third place went to Steve Doughlas, also from Miri, who received RM500 in cash and professional scissors.
The award ceremony was hosted by Miri's Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ariffen. In his speech, he said that Miri is not only a city of oil and tourism but is also moving towards becoming a capital of creative economy and lifestyle.
"The Barber Battle injects more diverse elements into Miri's city activities, enriching the cityscape along with music festivals, food festivals, fishing competitions, and community carnivals. It also injects vitality into the local economy, benefiting industries such as hotels, catering, and transportation."
This event was organized by POSH WORK and co-organized with the Sarawak Indigenous Entrepreneurs Chamber Miri branch. The main sponsors include Mamuara Bank, DUBS Miri branch, Chef X, and Gamma+ Malaysia.
The competition was judged by multiple professional judges, including Hairchitect Studio founder and Gamma+ brand ambassador Bryan Munan and Smol Studio's Uncle Jeff. Bryan Munan also personally hosted a free haircut workshop, sharing skills and experiences. He emphasized during a student's question, "First, you must be a good person, and then you can be a good barber."
The event also featured pop-up booths from various barber brands, including Tok Man's Barbershop, Gustar Barbershop, Barberyenshop, K24 Barber, Hair2day, Gras Barbershop, Kiyahe Barber, and Yann Barber. The free teaching instructors also included Dilly, Asfro, Tok Man, Yus Zero Gap, Uncle Jeff, and Bryan Munan.
According to event manager Siti Hawa, POSH WORK and the Sarawak Indigenous Entrepreneurs Chamber Miri branch plan to host a nationwide Barber Battle competition later this year, with Miri expected to be the host city. Additionally, "Barber Takeover 2.0" will be held next year on a larger scale, with higher prizes and in an indoor venue, further promoting the development of local hairdressing art and creative culture.