Imagine a barbershop where the sky is the ceiling and the bustling cityscape of New York City forms its walls. That is the world of Julien Howard, who is known as the Vélo Barber.
Born and raised in the Bronx and now living in Astoria, Queens, Mr. Howard, 33, has combined his love of cycling and urban exploration into a career that breaks the conventional boundaries of cutting hair.
“When I became a barber, I didn’t want to be confined to one location all the time,” he said. “Being A.D.H.D. and dyslexic, I see the world differently. People might see a square, but I see all the angles and possibilities.”
In search of the “dopest places” to cut hair, he has taken his mobile salon to benches in Central Park, Broadway dressing rooms, secluded city rooftops, historic plazas in Mexico City and the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.
“It’s incredible to see how a simple change of scenery can transform a routine haircut,” he said.
His career began with an inventive barter at a North Carolina boarding school — haircuts in exchange for Burger King meals. Over the years, he refined his skills, on his own, and then earned his barber’s license.
During this time, Mr. Howard inspected fire systems across New York City, initially navigating the congested city by car. The inefficiency led him to an epiphany.
“I was quicker on a bike, and suddenly, I had access to views most New Yorkers never see,” he said. (Vélo means bike in French.) He also realized he could earn more from just a few haircuts than from a whole day of inspections.
Now, 20 years after those first fast-food-for-haircut patrons, Mr. Howard’s client list includes celebrities like Donald Glover, Regé-Jean Page, Josh Groban, Aaron Tveit and Jordan Fisher, who stars as Orpheus in “Hadestown” on Broadway.
Mr. Howard charges $200 per haircut, with additional fees for working early mornings or late nights, and offers beard trims ($100) and grooming ($250 an hour). On a typical day, he serves up to 10 clients. He works out of the Ducati motorcycle store near SoHo three days a week and travels to clients every day except Saturday.
Recently, Mr. Fisher, 30, had Mr. Howard come by his theater dressing room for a haircut amid preshow chaos.
“You sit down in the chair, and there is so much trust that you have to give over immediately,” Mr. Fisher said. “And with Julien, there’s an instant familial bond.”
There are 12,925 licensed barbers in New York, according to the Department of State. They do not have to work in a traditional barbershop setting, but New York City regulations require that they maintain safe and sanitary conditions as stipulated by the Health Code.
Damon Dorsey, president of the American Barber Association, said: “Obviously, the safest, cleanest place to get a haircut is a barbershop. However, mobile barbering surged in popularity during Covid when barber shops were closed, aligning with the desires of millennials and Gen Z who favor unique and Instagrammable experiences over traditional ones.”
Mr. Howard’s quest for unique settings led him to get a mini truck with a flatbed, which he converted into an open-air barber chair.
“I can take this chair to crazy places like golf courses or the woods,” he said. “People stop and say, ‘Whoa, that looks like a little toy!’ But it’s a toy with a functioning barber chair. So, there’s a double wow factor.”
Of course, cutting hair outdoors presents a different set of dynamics compared with indoor settings. He has to adapt on windy days and find shade when it’s hot out. Instead of a folding chair, he uses whatever is available — often a park bench, a ledge or even a bike.
Not surprisingly, Mr. Howard’s mobile sessions sometimes draw curious passers-by. “I’ve rarely been approached, but most officers are very supportive once they understand what I’m doing,” he said. “One time an inquiry from a security guard turned into a haircut request.”
This evolution in barbering is welcomed by state officials. Walter T. Mosley, New York’s secretary of state, said in a statement that barbering was “a noble profession.”
“The license we provide facilitates thousands in pursuing what they enjoy, supporting their families, and spurring economic development in their communities,” he said. “These small businesses are the lifeblood of our vibrant, friendly and hopeful neighborhoods.”
Joshua Murphy, who works in residential real estate, recently got a haircut from Mr. Howard on the rooftop of his Upper West Side apartment building.
“It was kind of magical to watch the city wind down from the workday and come back alive in the evening,” Mr. Murphy, 38, said.
That kind of feeling is what Mr. Howard said he is after.
“For me, it’s about more than just hair,” he said. “It’s about creating moments for people to stop and appreciate the beauty around them.”
He dreams of one day taking his craft to the highest peaks and farthest reaches of the Earth — and beyond.
“Why not cut hair on the Empire State Building?” he said. “Or in space?”
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