News: SA’s Eric Way Lovemore Launches UK Love More Unisex Barbers and Love More Barber Academy in the UK

From Dressing the World's Most Famous Women to Bringing International Hair Expertise to Teesside, Celebrity fashion designer & internationally renowned barber educator Dr Eric Way Lovemore launches Love More Unisex Barbers & Love More Barber Academy in Linthorpe Village with his partner Martyn.

MIDDLESBROUGH, UK, NOVEMBER 2026

From the glamorous catwalks of London, Paris and New York to the heart of Linthorpe Village in the UK, an internationally experienced fashion designer, celebrity hair artist and respected educator is bringing his extraordinary career and creative vision to Middlesbrough.

Dr Eric Way Lovemore, a South African-born designer and internationally recognised barber educator, has joined forces with his partner, Martyn Lovemore, to establish Love More Unisex Barbers and Love More Barber Academy, an exciting independent business combining luxury hair services, advanced hair restoration treatments and professional barber education under one roof.

The couple, who have made Yarm their home for the past five years, are delighted to be investing in the region they have grown to love. Located at Oxford House, 3 Oxford Road, Linthorpe Village, Middlesbrough, the new venture represents the culmination of decades of international experience, creative ambition and a shared dream.

From International Fashion Runways to the North East

Long before establishing himself as a respected figure in barber education, Dr Lovemore enjoyed a remarkable career in international couture fashion design. Between 1993 and 2010, his work took him into the glamorous world of high fashion, with experience spanning London, Paris and New York Fashion Weeks.

During his fashion career, he designed couture creations for an international clientele that included some of the world's most recognisable women. Among his career highlights is a wardrobe credit connected to the iconic television series Sex and the City, including a pink dress worn by the character Charlotte York. His creative journey brought him into the world of celebrity fashion, editorial styling, international runway productions and luxury design.

But his passion for creativity extended far beyond clothing.

With a natural flair for hair artistry and a commitment to professional excellence, Dr Lovemore developed an equally impressive career in hairdressing, barbering and education. Today, he is recognised for his work as a celebrity barber educator, session stylist, hair colour specialist and creative hair artist.

He has represented leading international barbering brands, including Artero, as a brand ambassador and global educator, and contributed to respected industry publications including BarberEVO, Modern Barber and Hairdressers Journal. His qualifications span professional barbering, education, assessment and quality assurance, alongside a PhD in Business Administration.

The Career Opportunity That Brought Him North

Dr Lovemore's journey to Teesside began when he was offered the position of Barber Academy Principal at Head Quarters Barbers. The opportunity brought him to the North East, where he spent three years leading the academy, sharing his international expertise and helping develop aspiring barbers into confident professionals.

Following his three years at Head Quarters, he progressed to become Director of Education at Skins & Needles in Middlesbrough, where he continued to develop professional training programmes, mentor students and deliver specialist barbering education. These senior educational roles allowed him to establish strong connections within the region's hair industry and develop a genuine affection for the people of Teesside.

Having now lived in Yarm with Martyn for five years, Dr Lovemore considers the North East very much his home.

"When I was first offered the opportunity to come North and become Academy Principal at Head Quarters Barbers, I had no idea just how much this region would become part of my life. I spent three wonderful years in that role before moving on to become Director of Education at Skins & Needles.

"Throughout that time, I have met some incredible people, worked with talented professionals and had the privilege of helping students develop their careers. Martyn and I have lived in Yarm for five years now, and we absolutely love it here. The people are warm, genuine and welcoming, and we feel very much at home. Opening our own business in Middlesbrough feels like the natural next chapter in our journey."

Two Partners, One Shared Dream

What makes this venture particularly special is that it is not simply another barbershop opening. It is a joint business venture between Dr Eric Way Lovemore and his partner, Martyn Lovemore, bringing together their shared ambition to create something distinctive, welcoming and inspiring. Together, they have developed Love More around creativity, professional excellence, education and genuine personal care.

For the couple, opening their own establishment represents both a major professional milestone and a deeply personal achievement.

Dr Lovemore:

"I have been incredibly fortunate throughout my career. I have experienced the glamour of international fashion, worked with remarkable people and enjoyed opportunities I could only have dreamed about when I was younger. But what excites me most today is taking everything I have learned over the years and bringing it together in one beautiful place here in Middlesbrough. Martyn and I wanted to create something that was truly ours. Something that reflects our personalities, our passion for people and our belief that everyone deserves to look and feel absolutely wonderful.

"Love More is not simply a name above a door. It represents everything we want people to experience when they visit us — kindness, confidence, individuality and exceptional service.

"We are incredibly proud to be opening this business together and investing our future in Linthorpe Village."

Far More Than an Ordinary Barbershop

Love More Unisex Barbers has been designed to offer a comprehensive selection of professional hair, grooming and specialist services for both men and women.

Alongside designer haircuts, precision barbering, creative hair colouring and luxury hot towel shaving, the business specialises in advanced hair restoration and cosmetic treatments.

Services include:

• Bespoke non-surgical hair replacement systems

• Scalp micropigmentation (SMP)

• Beard micropigmentation (BMP)

• Nano brow treatments

• Designer men's and women's haircuts

• Advanced hair colouring and styling

• Luxury traditional hot towel shaving and beard grooming

A particular focus will be helping clients experiencing hair loss or seeking greater confidence in their appearance.

"Hair can have an enormous impact on how somebody feels about themselves," explains Dr Lovemore. "Whether we are creating a completely new hairstyle, helping somebody who has experienced hair loss or simply giving someone a wonderful grooming experience, our goal is always the same — to help that person leave feeling more confident than when they arrived."

Training the Next Generation of Teesside Barbers

Alongside the salon, the couple are establishing Love More Barber Academy, offering professional barber training and specialist CPD-accredited courses. With a strong emphasis on individual attention, the academy operates with small groups of no more than three students, providing a highly personalised approach to practical education. Training opportunities include junior barber education, advanced fading, precision scissor cutting, traditional luxury shaving, hair colouring, hair replacement systems, scalp and beard micropigmentation and nano brow techniques.

The academy welcomes aspiring barbers from the age of 16, as well as established professionals looking to develop additional skills. Students benefit from practical training, professional guidance and continued mentoring after completing their courses.

Dr Lovemore has also authored five specialist barbering and aesthetic education textbooks, available in paperback and digital formats through Amazon.

"Education has always been one of my greatest passions," he explains. "Having spent three years as Academy Principal at Head Quarters and then working as Director of Education at Skins & Needles, I have seen firsthand just how much talent exists here in the North East.

"I don't believe in simply teaching somebody how to cut hair. I believe in teaching them how to build a career, understand their clients, develop confidence in their abilities and ultimately create a successful future for themselves.

"If we can help young people in Middlesbrough and the wider Teesside area discover a career they genuinely love, then we will have achieved something very special."

Bringing International Experience and Independent Investment to Linthorpe Village

At a time when supporting independent businesses and developing local skills is increasingly important, the opening represents a positive addition to Linthorpe Village. By combining a working unisex barbershop with a specialist training academy, the business aims to attract clients and students from Middlesbrough, across Teesside and further afield.

The couple hope that Love More will become recognised not only for its high standards and distinctive services, but also for its warm, welcoming atmosphere.

"After so many years working internationally, there is something incredibly rewarding about creating a business in the community where we have chosen to build our future," Dr Lovemore adds. "Martyn and I have put our hearts into this project. We want people to walk through our doors and immediately feel welcome. "We are bringing years of international experience, creative knowledge and professional education to Middlesbrough, but above everything else, we are bringing our passion.

"We genuinely cannot wait to welcome everyone."

Visit Love More

Love More Unisex Barbers & Love More Barber Academy

Website: www.lovemore-collective.com

Instagram: @lovemore_unisex_barbers

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