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In the bustling streets of Causeway Bay, tucked away from the shopping malls and bubble tea shops, lies a unique place where time appears to stand still. Inside an old building with a manual lift – one that needs to be opened by hand – you will find Luk Chung-yan. At 78, his hands remain steady. With careful movements, he uses a sharp razor to shave his customers’ faces.
Behind him, the buzz of shavers and barbers chatting in the Shanghai dialect fills the air. The shop is rich with history, featuring vintage chairs, 70-year-old hairdryers that still work and jars of classic hair cream.
Welcome to the Ambassador Barber Parlour. For HK$200, customers receive a complete package that includes a haircut, a wash and a shave.
However, shops like this are becoming increasingly rare. While many traditional salons in Hong Kong have closed down, Master Luk’s establishment has thrived for nearly 40 years.
From a wooden shack to a master barber
Master Luk arrived in Hong Kong from Shanghai in 1957 as part of a group of immigrants who introduced unique hairstyling skills to the city. Decades ago, “Shanghai-style” was synonymous with high quality and was much more sophisticated than the inexpensive street barbers of the time.
However, life was not easy for Luk in the beginning.
“I was 10 years old. My family was struggling to make money, and we lived in a wooden shack. I was forced to become an apprentice barber,” he said. An apprentice is someone who learns a job by working for a master.
At first, Luk had to complete all the chores, such as sweeping the floor and washing towels. However, he worked hard and learned quickly. By the 1980s, he was working in Admiralty, styling hair for wealthy businessmen and politicians.
He even cut the hair of some of Hong Kong’s biggest superstars.
“I was the barber for ‘The Seven Little Fortunes’ like Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung,” Luk said. He even styled the hair of the Canto-pop legend, Leslie Cheung.
A disappearing art
Despite Master Luk’s impressive history, the business is currently struggling. High rents and ageing facilities have compelled many Shanghai-style shops to shut.
Luk now employs five staff, most of whom are elderly and have been working at the parlour for decades.
“Like my staff member who washes hair, he has worked for me for 44 years. He is 90 years old now,” he said.
It is very hard to find young people who want to learn this job. Luk explains that the “Shanghai shave” is a difficult skill.
“You have to train your wrist for at least half a year so your hand is flexible enough to shave,” he explained.
“Many newcomers were scared to learn ... because shaving is the hardest technique.”
Staying strong
Today, young people prefer modern, trendy barber shops that can charge more than HK$300 for a trim. Luk also says he has fewer customers because many are ageing or moving to other countries.
“We used to have three generations of a family coming here. But in the past year, many have left Hong Kong,” he said.
However, Master Luk is not giving up. Surrounded by his old magazines and trusted tools, he plans to keep working.
“I’m not thinking about retiring,” he said with a smile.
