18-year-old barber Jackson Sloan has taken out the New Gen competition category at 2026 The Big Barber Bash in Melbourne, marking his first-ever competition appearance with a win.
Cutting out of Aidan’s Cuts Barber Shop in Melbourne — owned by his brother — Jackson has been in the industry for two years and is already making his mark with a bold, creative approach to barbering.
His winning look was built around creativity and preparation, including pre-planning the colour work with his cousin weeks before the competition.
“I wanted something creative and different,” Jackson said. “I dyed my cousin’s hair a month before to get ready for it — I knew I wanted to go hard and aim to win.”
Natalie Miller (photo: T15 Media)
Competing live brought a level of excitement and confidence he didn’t expect.
“It was so much fun being up there with some great barbers. Being right in the centre of it all actually made me feel confident — hearing people talk about my work pushed me more.”
This win is even more significant as it comes in his first-ever competition appearance, alongside a back-to-back result across two major events.
“I set a goal to win New Gen at The Big Barber Bash and also at the Expo4Barbers Apprentice — and I did both.”
Despite the early success, Jackson is already focused on what comes next, with a mindset firmly grounded in consistency and discipline.
“For me it’s about keeping the grind going and focusing on education. A win doesn’t change the work — if anything, it’s a reminder not to slow down. You sleep on a win, you wake up with a loss.”
Jackson’s journey is just beginning, but his performance in Melbourne has already positioned him as one to watch in the next generation of barbering talent.
Follow Jackson: @jacksoncuts