ABOUT TRENDS

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Trends Barber Lounge is the Capital Regions ONLY BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and woman-owned barbershop located in Albany, NY, founded by Kat SoPoetic. Trends is not just a barbershop—it is a community hub where style, self expression, and empowerment come together. It is an inclusive space that celebrates and diversity and uplifts marginalized communities, with a particular focus on BIPOC & LGBTQ+ individuals. We offer a safe and comfortable space for folks to explore their style as we work together to find the perfect look. The shop provides a welcoming environment, good music and calm vibes. We also host events for folks looking to connect and build community.

THE VISION:

My vision for Trends is to make these affirming services more accessible with the launch of a Mobile Barbershop. This initiative will bring the same level of care to underserved areas, ensuring that individuals who lack access to supportive and affirming spaces can still receive the services they need.

CONSIDER BECOMING A SPONSOR:

Supporting Trends Barber Lounge as a sponsor provides organizations a unique opportunity to invest in a thriving, inclusive business that champions diversity, community empowerment, and creative expression. As a BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and woman-owned barbershop in Albany, NY, Trends Barber Lounge offers more than haircuts; it creates a safe, affirming space for gender expression and supports the queer community through events and art-driven initiatives. By sponsoring Trends, an organization demonstrates its commitment to social equity and community-building while gaining visibility among a diverse, loyal clientele. Trends’ upcoming mobile barbershop and the innovative events that promote culture, art, and inclusivity further highlight the shop's growing impact and reach.

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Check out our new merch!

Our merch collection is a celebration of confidence, pride, and self-expression. Each piece in the collection reflects bold designs and empowering messages that represent our commitment to inclusivity and visibility.
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Press:

  • Trends breaks the mold, creates inclusive hair space for all

    At Trends Barber Lounge, we take pride in being recognized by Spectrum News for our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming space for all. As a BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and woman-owned barbershop, we are dedicated to providing gender-affirming haircuts and fostering a safe, affirming environment for everyone who walks through our doors. Our feature on Spectrum News highlighted our passion for breaking down barriers in the barbering industry and serving as a hub for self-expression and community. We’re more than just a barbershop—we’re a space where everyone can feel seen, valued, and empowered.
    Check it out! 

  • Hair discrimination: a roundtable discussion

    Trends Barber Lounge had the honor of hosting a powerful conversation with Spectrum News for Black History Month, where I, along with four other women, sat down to discuss the ongoing challenges of discrimination in and out of our industry. We spoke candidly about the lack of awareness surrounding the CROWN Act, a law designed to protect individuals from hair-based discrimination, and how its impact is still not widely known. Additionally, we highlighted how hair education remains segregated, contributing to a deeper divide in understanding and serving diverse hair types. It was a meaningful exchange, shedding light on issues that affect our community and pushing for change in the beauty industry.
    Check it out 

About Kat SoPoetic

My name is Kat SoPoetic, a visionary entrepreneur, multidisciplinary artist, and master barber driven by a passion for challenging the status quo. I opened Trends Barber Lounge in 2020 in Albany, NY, because spaces like this simply didn’t exist for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals—places where we could feel safe, affirmed, accepted and respected. My experience in barbershops has always been bittersweet. I love barbershop culture and the way it’s a safe haven for so many, but as a woman in a male-dominated industry, my journey was different. I had to work harder to stand out, faced discrimination from people who didn’t want a “girl” cutting their hair, and was often assumed to be a beautician instead of a barber.

Being the only woman in a room full of men came with its own challenges—hearing harmful conversations about gay people and the violent ways some spoke about trans women made me feel unsafe. It also made me realize that my clients were being exposed to the same toxic culture. I opened Trends Barber Lounge because I didn’t want to subject myself or my clients to those environments anymore.

There really isn’t another barbershop that breaks away from that culture, and beauty salons have their own version of the same issues. There wasn’t a place where we could go for self-care without dimming our light for the sake of our safety—so I decided to create one. Trends Barber Lounge is dedicated to us, Through my work, I offer a culture of authenticity, making Trends Barber Lounge a vital hub for connection, creativity, and empowerment in the community.

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