Adem Oygur, 39, built up a business in Belgravia and has plans to take it global (Image: Adem Oygur)
A Turkish hair salon owner has dismissed claims barbershops are fronts for money launderers and gangsters. An on UK high streets recently sparked speculation of criminal involvement, with numbers soaring to about 19,000 in the last six years, a rise of 50%.
Hair salon owner Adem Oygur, 39, cautioned against making sweeping assumptions about the rise of Turkish barbershops on Britain’s high streets. He told the Express: “I’ve heard stories about barbershops on high streets, but you can’t generalise… I’ve not really experienced this stereotype.” Mr Oygur’s story is living proof that hard work can bring success. He was born and raised on his family’s farm in the small town of Kumru, northern . His first taste of career success came after he moved to as a youngster and started cutting hair. He worked in a barbershop at aged 11 before getting into hairdressing at 14.
Adem’s salon is in London’s exclusive Belgravia neighbourhood (Image: Adem Oygur)
Adem’s clients include European royalty, top fashion models and world famous sports stars (Image: Adem Oygur)
He first visited Britain in 2009, went on to secure a permanent job here and then moved permanently to the country where he is now a British citizen.
Mr Oygur joined a large salon in Belgravia where he became international artistic director, specialising in hair types from various ethnic groups.
In 2019, he won the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Afro Award in recognition of his work at Errol Douglas London.
He struck out alone in 2022 when he set up his own business, Adem, which now employs 16 staff tending to international clientele, including European royals, top fashion models, high-flying businesswomen and sports stars.
The English model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and eight times Wimbledon men’s singles champion have both received star treatment from Mr Oygur and his team.
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Adem has been cutting hair since he was a child in Turkey (Image: Adem Oygur)
On what drives him, Mr Oygur said: “Money never motivates me. Some days we make £5,000 to £7,000, but what I love is building relationships with clients.
“The money doesn’t motivate me. It’s the love of my art and tailoring what I do for individual clients. I do a total look, which means cutting, colouring and styling. I thrive off my customers’ responses.”
Ambitious for more success, Mr Oygur aims to expand his brand and open salons in Miami, the Middle East and Istanbul over the next 5-10 years.
It’s a far cry from his humble beginnings on the family farm where he now grows produce used in his brand’s line of haircare products.
He said: “This is my destiny. I left my family farm at age 11. Last year I did six weddings across Europe. These things make me happy and I’m really grateful for them.”