Houssem Sakka styling for Al Sadd Sports Club's Musaab Kheder. Pics: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
Packing up and moving to a new city is always tough. Surprisingly for some people, their hairdresser is irreplaceable in the new place.
But in Doha, Houssem Sakka’s Hero Saloon is a choice for many footballers, athletes, diplomats and others.
The new US ambassador to Qatar H E Timmy Davis, Cameroonian football legend Samuel Eto’o who is also a Global Ambassador of Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) and former Spanish internationals Santi Cazorla and Javier Martinez are among some prominent figures that have chosen Houssem to style their hair in Doha.
Houssem is known for doing things differently and adding value to his work behind the barber chair.
Hero Saloon has a vibrant VIP room with sound and light effects, artworks, medals and photos with his celebrity clients on display. A FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 themed specially designed barber chair welcomes the clients.
“There’s a real art to hairdressing - it’s not just about cutting hair - and that takes time, education and dedication,” says Houssem.
“This is an art, the power of paintbrush and a pair of scissors is very close; both express art,” he said while styling for Al Sadd Sports Club’s defender Musaab Kheder who also represents the Qatar National Football team.
Houssem, a qualified and professional hairdresser from Tunisia, started his business in Doha 14 years ago. Within a short span of time, Houssem had attained the success of making his salon the first choice for a number of professional footballers and walk-in customers alike.
“I am here in Doha for 14 years and my work has always been mostly with football players. Among the most prominent players I have worked with are Samuel Eto’o, Santi Cazorla, James Rodriguez, Malcolm Oliveira, and some players from the Qatar national team and the Tunisian national team, Argentina and Brazil,” said Houssem.
Houssem says his approach is what keeps the footballers coming back.
“With me cutting hair is a happy session we share jokes and laugh… we also share a lot of stories and it helps in building a bonding.”
That and the fact he clearly understands the importance of hair to young footballers. “Image is everything,” says Houssem. “When I’m cutting their hair, I know that I’ve got responsibility… I give them the look that will suit them and lift whatever they’ve got going on; it can make a brand look at them in a different way.”
Also among Houssem’s celebrity client list are Qatar national team players Meshaal Barsham and Pedro Miguel (Ro-Ro) who plays for Al Sadd SC, Ruben Semedo who plays for Al Duhail, and Qatar U-23 midfielder Assim Madibo, Al Duhail’s Belian winger Edmilson, and the list goes on.
The art of hairdressing is not new for Houssem and it was passed on to him from his mother Aisha, who too is a hairdresser. Houssem has come to Doha with a handful of experience working for TV shows and fashion shows.
Hair styling using a sword
Houssem genuinely wants each of young hairdressers to identify their strengths, build an identity and grow in the industry.
“There are many hairdressers in town, the challenge are how to be unique and build an identity,” said Houssem.
“When I came to Doha, I got an opportunity and grabbed it; learning new things and upgrading us is an endless process,” he said adding that social media helped him to promote the business.
The celebrity hairdresser is also proud to show off his finished jobs on social media and he has gained more than 33,000 followers on his Instagram page.
His talents stretch far beyond his brilliant cutting and finishing skills; he is a long distance runner, basketball player and a motorcyclist.
Houssem, who is also an artist, often tries new techniques and he says that his artistic skills compliment the hairdressing profession.
While trying to fill the gap between the trends and new styles, Houssem also attempts exciting adventures like using an sword instead of a razor. He says, “I do that for fun and excitement. The client is like a friend and we discussed about it before doing."
With the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is just around the corner, Houssem is expecting to display his haircutting skills not only for footballers but also for fans from around the world.
“It’s an occasion in which the world will travel to Doha, I’m sure those who choose to stay here for some days will need a haircut and shaving; we are all prepared to serve them,” said Houssem, sitting on his World Cup themed barber chair.
