Madrid hairstylist puts tradition to the sword

(29 Dec 2018) Madrid-based coiffeur Alberto Olmedo may be one of the most unique hairdressers in the business. He has refined a highly specialised technique of cutting hair, which includes the use of swords, metal ’claws’, and flame. And his clients are delighted with the results. Olmedo, 54 years old from Madrid, has been cutting hair for 30 years. He became disillusioned with the traditional system of using scissors as he felt that it wasn’t giving the hair the right vertical cut and the layers created were not what he was looking for. A history buff, Olmedo began to study Renaissance paintings and asked himself how hair was cut in the past. He realized after further study that ancient barbers used daggers. His busy saloon opened in the working class district of Campamento, on the outskirts of Madrid, 14 years ago, but it has been in the last 10 years that he has perfected the techniques of swords and flame.   He part runs the business with his ex-wife.   I