"Last week, Collective member Shuzo Takashiro (Japan), Steve Purcell and I were living it up in steamy Bangkok getting ready for the Tuk Tuk Tour 2025. Our afternoon ramped up real quick as we were picked up from our hotel in a custom wrapped Uppercut Deluxe Tuk Tuk. This thing was insane - decked out top to bottom in Uppercut graphics and plush seating, pumping tunes whilst we cruised around town getting stares and reactions from tourists and locals alike.
"Our main event started at 2pm at Smiths Vintage Club in Bangkok, a rad space with a bunch of Hangar style buildings located on a big block of land surrounded by palm trees, restaurants, retail shops, vintage motorcycles, cars and bars. With 150+ attendees, our custom Tuk Tuk arrived rockstar-style, entering the garage to a cheering crowd and launching straight into our ‘Battle At The Bar’ barber battle, where the winner scored a free airfare to the Asia Barber Expo in Malaysia this coming September.
"Our eventual winner @y.chiwut was selected by three judges; made up of Steve Purcell, Shuzo and Thailand Collective member Ta Sara. Runner-up was @phillip_jack_luxton. Both Deluxe Pomade and Matte Pomade were the choices for styling their models.
"Following the Battle, cut demos were provided by both Shuzo and Ta, all capped off by a heater of a demo and education session with Uppercut founder (and part time comedian) Steve Purcell as the finale - hosted by myself, with the help of @peatrockk translating. Steve wanted to highlight two styles achieved with the one haircut. Firstly, using a cocktail of both Styling Powder and Clay Spray to create a textured, more looser and laid back look. Then, slamming it down with our OG staple; Deluxe Pomade for a tight n’ neat slickback style. As always Steve had the heaving crowd fully engaged with plenty of live streams, videos and pictures being captured continuously.
"Sideshow spectacles kept everyone stoked, with music by @theterracevibeband, live event tee screen-printing courtesy of @luciano.garments, ping pong, beers and pizza from @visonb @smithsvintageclub, as well as flash tattoos penned by @king16barber, @sixteentattooshop.
"Good times flowed the entire afternoon and late into the evening; showcasing new products like Resin & Rose, along with our next big pomade launching soon called Texture Cream, plus another new contender featuring an easy-to-use spray application, appropriately named Clay Spray. Stay tuned on these two!
"Overall a huge thanks needs to go out to our Uppercut Deluxe Thailand family Tim & Nat @uppercutdeluxe_thailand, Smiths Vintage Bar, Shuzo and Ta Sara @helloshuzo @therealkiartisak, Barber Battle finalists @y.chiwut and @phillip_jack_luxton, plus @peatrockk for translating and videographer @city_studiox. Until next time. And there will be a next time…" - Nick Ramsey
