1. Background and philosophy behind the brand

In 2018, Amemiya founded PICCADILLY BARBER PRODUCTS .
The decision to found a brand, which he decided to create as the best way to stay involved in the industry even after he left the industry when he reached his 50s, was based on the idea that "barbers create products from the perspective of the barber." Another key element of the products is a "retro feel." The packaging, designed by illustrator JACK-O' ARTWORKS from Sendai, the city of trees, defines the brand's worldview with graphics reminiscent of advertisements from the 50s and 60s.

2. Representative products and features

3. BIGBOB AMEMIYA's Career

• Mid-1980s <br data-start="731" data-end="734">At the age of 19, he began his training at a pompadour-style barber shop in Harajuku, frequented by shop staff and band members.
  

• In the early 1990s , he honed his skills at BAD-NICE in Shimokitazawa, and after being interviewed by numerous media outlets, his number of regular customers increased dramatically.

  

• Spring 1995 : Opened barber shop "BALLROOM" in Harajuku. Customers from all over Japan came to see the classic styles of the 1940s to 1960s.
  

• Summer 2005 : Closed due to serious illness. Spent the next 10 years recuperating and recharging.
  

• 2015 <br data-start="987" data-end="990">Returned to the field at Barber's, Freeman's Sporting Club (FSC).

• 2018
  Founded PICCADILLY BARBER PRODUCTS and has been working both on-site and in product development ever since.

4. Multifaceted contributions to culture

In addition to being a barber, Amemiya also works as a DJ, musician, and writer .

• Regular DJ : Shimokitazawa Zoo, Futakotamagawa Hash-Ish, Shinjuku Milos Garage, Tokyo Midtown A971, and more

• Fuji Rock 2015 appearance : Long-awaited first appearance at a large festival

• Selection and writing of songs : 4 compilation CDs of "The Boogie Shack", book "Boogie Shack 45rpm Dictionary", etc.

It crosses the boundaries of barbering, music, and fashion, and presents the perspective that "barbering is a lifestyle."

5. Symbolic Events

• International Culture Barber and Beauty College Blog (2018)
  While commuting to work at FSC, I popped in to join an interview for my colleague about my alma mater. As an alumnus, I sent a message to the current students.

• Event booth

  • 2017/18/19 Layrite Traditional Barber Battle Booth (2017 under the name of the predecessor brand FADEMASTER)

  • 2018 《Culture of Barbering Festival》@ CLUB CITTA' Kawasaki

6. The brand’s finale and future plans

Amemiya , who has been working as a barber since the 1980s, went independent in 1995, and launched a lifestyle brand in the 2010s, will retire from the field and product development in April 2025.
As he said, "I want to support the younger generation from behind the scenes," he is quietly preparing to hand over the baton. Piccadilly Pomade will no longer be produced, and the last lot on the market will be the last one.

The following is a message we received directly from Amemiya.

Looking back at the 2010s, the barber movement that swept across Japan with the arrival of Freemans Sporting Club Barber and Mr. Brothers Cut Club from New York is unfortunately now showing signs of fading. However, as all trends inevitably come to an end, I think that the real turning point for those in the industry is now.

Barbers, who have always been raised with a "technology-first" mentality, are skilled and have a strong artisanal spirit, but at the same time, many of them are not interested in fashion or subculture, and as a result, they tend to be poor at reading trends and presenting highly sensitive hairstyles that are linked to fashion and culture, and they also tend to be poor at gathering the information needed to do so.

Even now, approaching my 60th birthday, I still watch videos of overseas barbers at places like Schoram (Netherlands) performing treatments and get excited about their innovative presentation styles. However, the excitement (stimulation) that comes from the information (learning) you get from the internet, magazines, and visiting places where many fashionable people gather is something special that only those who are interested can feel, so now that the boom has died down, I believe that it is extremely important to always keep learning in order to raise the level of our scene.

I will soon be retiring, but I sincerely hope that the inspiration that you all feel as you continue to learn will one day blossom and bear fruit, resulting in many customers being impressed by the hairstyles they get, saying, "Wow, that's cool!" and that barbershops will become even more popular and a source of fashion and trends.

April 2025 Piccadilly Barber Products Representative: JUN "BIGBOB" AMEMIYA

7. Legends and the Barber Industry

What does the job of "barber" bring to our lives?

If it weren't for the recent barber movement, I might never have met all the great barbers who have come before me.

Thinking back to around 2010, I was running a barbershop in a corner of a provincial city. I was devouring information from home and abroad, with the sole desire to improve my barbershop. In the midst of all this, I met some barbers who were true to themselves, and I was deeply impacted by their actions and words.

BIGBOB AMEMIYA is one of them.

As mentioned in this article, his path has not been smooth. He has tormented himself physically and mentally to explore, promote, and embody the culture he believes in.

What can we learn from it, and what can we pass on? A long-standing culture and history can never be passed on by simply tracing the surface. Even if it is catchy and what the public wants, we believe that an unshakable foundation of tradition and formality is essential to create a new culture.

With that thought in mind, we will continue to move forward.

Thank you, Amemiya-san, for all the learning and inspiration I have received. Please continue to watch over Japanese barbering with kindness.

peace.
Nakamura

*The precious photos and other information published here were kindly provided by Amemiya.