After cutting hair for more than 15 years, Kenton Trott has realised his dream.

He has opened Luxury Cuts Studio barber shop on Reid Street. Mr Trott and fellow barber Khalid Muhammad offer hair cuts, hot towel shaves, facial cleansing, and shampooing and conditioning of hair.

“Whatever you need, we can take care of you here,” Mr Trott, 34, said.

The shop’s opening on June 27 fulfilled a long-held ambition, Mr Trott says. After earning a diploma and license from Massachusetts’ Alexander Academy School of Barbering in 2010, Mr Trott had plans to open a shop — but the then part-time Royal Bermuda Regiment soldier applied for and was chosen for the full-time position of diplomatic driver, a top job given to only the best soldiers.

For more than six years, Mr Trott drove former premiers Craig Cannonier and Michael Dunkley, former Governor George Fergusson and present Governor John Rankin. Mr Trott resigned from the Regiment at the end of October 2018, and cut hair from home before opening Luxury Cuts.

“It has always been my passion,” Mr Trott said. “I always had a chair available in my house to cut hair for friends and family, but I wanted to cut hair professionally and not just in a chair from my kitchen. I wanted to follow my dream.

“I was due to open a barber shop in 2012, but then the diplomatic driver job came open and, combined with my financial situation, I thought I’d go for it. I was blessed to be chosen so I put my dream on the back burner for a while. But after six-and-a-half years, it was time to open the shop. I am not getting any younger.”

Dark wood laminate floors, vintage barber’s chairs, and wood panelling give the space a rustic, industrial and New-Age look and feel. Mr Trott favours a jazzy, hip-hop music flow to create a relaxing environment.

“I wanted the shop to stand out, and be comfortable, stylish and professional,” he said.

“I wanted it to be inviting to all, whether it’s the mother who is waiting while her son gets a haircut, the professional who is looking for a hot towel shave, or the blue collar worker who is getting cleaned up for the weekend.”

Luxury Cuts Studio shares the space formerly occupied by Electronic City with Banter & Steel, a men’s apparel and lifestyle store owned by sisters Lianna Masters and Kaitlyn Simmons. The two stores are separate, but an interior doorway allows customers to slip from one to the other.

“Kaitlyn and Lianna have been friends since high school,” Mr Trott says. “They had the fun idea of putting a barber’s chair in their clothing store, so we began to look for a space to do something together. We spoke to the landlords, Vasco da Gama, and they allowed us to create our dream here. It has become the perfect concept. Our customers can pick out an outfit for the weekend after they get their hair cut.”

Nearly three weeks post-launch, Mr Trott says the business is going well. Clients have included, David Burt, the Premier, the result of a tip-off from Cabinet Office staff, Mr Trott said.

A strong social media presence has driven business too, Mr Trott said, adding: “The haircuts speak for themselves.”

Plans are under way for a grand opening sometime after Cup Match. Mr Trott said the Governor, Mr Rankin, has been invited to cut the ribbon.

•Luxury Cuts Studio is at 51 Reid Street, directly across from Music Box. The shop is open Mondays and Saturdays from 10am to 6pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am until 7pm, and Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 9pm. Book appointments in person, or via a booking page accessible from Facebook or Instagram that allows customers to select a barber, a date and time, and the service requested.