There’s long been a quiet, mutual respect between British and Japanese culture, with thoughtful craft, deep heritage, and a shared love of fashion and design that’s built to last. Ryota Masuya’s relationship with Huckle is no different.

The youngest member of the Huckle Old Street family, Ryota brings precision, flair and a fresh global perspective to the chair. Originally from Tokyo, he trained in Japan before taking his scissors on the road, cutting hair in the Gold Coast, Australia, and now making waves here in London.

He’s been cutting hair for over six years. Ryota’s calm focus, sharp technical skill and natural eye for shape have already earned him a fast-growing fan base. He’s especially confident working with curly hair, his own included. Thanks to a rare case of Japanese curls (cheers, Mum), he knows first-hand how to handle texture and movement, and loves helping people feel fresh, sharp and genuinely good about themselves when they walk out the door.

Since landing in London, Ryota’s fallen hard for the city. He loves the culture and the people, and says moving here was one of the best decisions he’s made so far. When he’s not at Huckle, you’ll find him lifting at the gym, dancing at a rave or planning his next trip, all soundtracked by a playlist stacked with UK garage, house and drum and bass. That said, he still has a soft spot for Frank Ocean.

A Lakers fan through and through, Ryota follows the NBA closely and brings that same court-side focus to his work. His current favourite haircut is something textured and clean, with a bit of personality, just like him. He’s also got a keen eye for menswear, particularly NYC-based label Noah, where streetwear meets smarts.

Humble, talented and seriously hard-working, Ryota’s one to watch. Book in with him at Old Street and see for yourself.

If you’ve sat in his chair, you’ll know, Chris Mackins is the real deal. Calm, classic and consistent, Chris has been Huckle Old Street’s longest-standing men’s stylist, with roots in the business going all the way back to 2014.

Originally from Kent, Chris got his start in a local unisex salon before realising his true calling in men’s hair. A move to London in the early 2010s brought a reunion with childhood friend and Huckle founder Chris Ward, and the rest is history. Over a decade later, Chris is still cutting strong, with a loyal following who trust him implicitly to deliver sharp, precision-led scissor cuts and a quiet confidence that’s increasingly rare in the chair.

Now based in Margate with his wife and young son, Chris makes the journey to Old Street every week, and not just for the haircuts. His long-standing client base keeps him coming back, as does his deep affection for Huckle itself:

“Huckle’s been a home for me for over ten years. The reasons I love it are many, but chiefly it’s my clientele, they’ve been so loyal and supportive, it really means a lot to me. Although a lot has changed at Huckle and in the area, high standards and tapping into local culture have always been a constant.”

When he’s not at the salon, you’ll likely find Chris camera in hand, getting stuck into film photography or revisiting his favourite American novels. He’s a man of strong tastes, IPA over lager, hip-hop over house, and a well-constructed cheese board never goes amiss. Expect the playlist at his station to drift between 90s East Coast rap, DnB, jungle, and the odd Britpop curveball.

Whether you’re after something timeless and tidy or a subtle update on your go-to cut, Chris is your man. He brings care, craft and a no-fuss energy to every appointment, a proper gent, with proper standards.

Chris works at Old Street Tuesday to Friday.

Born in Camden, raised on rock’n’roll, and now with over 20 years in the craft, Tom Sparks is a Men’s Stylist with the kind of experience, humour and technical precision that keeps people coming back month after month.

Tom began his career at Toni & Guy, where he trained through their world-renowned education programme, widely regarded as one of the best in the business. There, he gained experience in both men’s and women’s hair, worked his way up to assistant manager, and mentored the next wave of stylists with his calm, no-nonsense approach. These days, his focus lies in precision scissor work and beard shaping, delivered with quiet confidence and a wealth of experience.

Now a key part of the Huckle Old Street family, Tom has built a fiercely loyal client base who rely on his honest advice and consistently sharp haircuts. He recently swapped London for St Albans, but still makes the commute to look after his regulars. If you’re organised enough to plan ahead, he’s open to welcoming new clients. Just don’t leave it to the last minute — his chair is in high demand.

Outside of work, Tom is a proud dad of two young daughters. Life looks different these days, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. A few years back, he and a mate travelled the UK documenting non-league football adventures via a blog and YouTube channel, a passion project he still hopes to pick up again when the time’s right. For now, it’s all about family, football and the odd Friday night gig.

Tom is still a diehard Arsenal supporter, a longtime music head and lately, a man rediscovering his love of metal. His playlists swing between Fontaines D.C., Arctic Monkeys, 90s indie, and anything with a riff and some soul. Whether you’re in the mood for a good chat or just want to zone out to a great soundtrack, you’re in excellent hands.

Scissors in hand, tunes on, and no nonsense. That’s Tom Sparks.

At Old Street Monday to Saturday. Monday to Friday from September 2025.

Blending fashion, creativity and technical precision, Darren Agyei-Dua brings a distinctly editorial edge to the Huckle Old Street team. With more than 20 years of experience in the hair industry, Darren’s career has taken him from the streets of Bethnal Green to the backstage of fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan, and now, firmly back in the salon chair at Huckle.

Darren’s relationship with Huckle spans seven years, on and off. He first joined the team part-time while balancing high-profile session work and fashion shoots. After two years in New York, he returned to London to help launch and manage a new barbershop in Stratford. But it was Huckle’s laid-back atmosphere and forward-thinking take on modern grooming that pulled him back in. Now working full-time at Old Street, his experience and attitude fit seamlessly into the Huckle ethos.

Darren honed his craft assisting some of the most respected names in the world of session styling, including Tyler Johnston, Panos Papandrianos, Matt Mulhall, Johnnie Sapong, Chi Wong and Christian Eberhard. Since then, he has led hair teams on major international runways, worked on campaigns for global fashion houses, and collaborated with top-tier designers, stylists and photographers.

His editorial portfolio includes Vogue, Fantastic Man, Dazed, GQ, Sunday Times Style and The Gentlewoman, and his celebrity client list ranges from Robbie Williams and The 1975 to Usain Bolt, Caroline Flack, Rafe Spall and Raven Lyn.

Known for his couture-level approach to cutting and styling, Darren has a sharp eye for shape, texture and movement. His appointments combine creativity with collaboration, offering each client considered guidance on styling and hair care that suits their lifestyle. Whether you want something sharp and trend-led or quietly refined, Darren delivers with precision and polish.

Clients value his calm energy, fashion-forward instinct and encyclopaedic industry knowledge. He’s also been spotted on Channel 4’s The One Show, Sky One’s The Face, BBC Radio 4’s Men’s Hour and has delivered live sessions for Puma, Oliver Spencer and the Jamaica Olympic Association.

From backstage to salon chair, Darren’s work speaks for itself.He works full-time at Old Street.

Born and raised in a quiet Norfolk village, Will Day brings a calm confidence, sharp eye and cracking sense of humour to the Huckle Old Street family. After training at Banks Barbershop in Wisbech, he honed his skills in top-tier salons across Central London, mastering his craft and building a fiercely loyal clientele who appreciate his blend of technical ability and easy going energy.

Will joined Huckle in March 2024 and has since become one of Old Street’s most trusted and well-loved Men’s Stylists. He keeps the shop spirits high and the team laughing, while delivering sharp, consistent cuts that hit the mark every time. From clean classics to modern texture and shape, Will knows how to make people look and feel their best without overcomplicating things.

When he’s not behind the chair, you’ll find him out in the fresh air or deep in conversation over a pint with mates. A big fan of travel, tattoos, nature and proper pubs, Will has explored his way around New Zealand, Australia and the US. London is where he’s landed, and for now, it feels like home.

His playlists cover a lot of ground, from indie and funk to soul, house and beyond. His downtime usually involves a gig, a club night or a countryside escape, depending on the weekend. He’s equally happy talking music, swapping travel stories or just getting stuck into the cut.

And if you’re wondering what’s on the menu for his desert island meal, it’s bangers, mash and a Guinness. No questions asked.

Will is a rare mix of low-key charm and high-level skill. He doesn’t shout about it, but his chair books up fast for a reason.

You’ll find him at Old Street from Monday to Saturday, with Fridays as his day off.