Style Magazines: CUTS + CONNECTIONS

CUTS + CONNECTIONS 

As seen in Style Magazines.

See inside the new wave of modern-day barbershops that have formed unlikely grounds for social connection, and the dynamic duo, Adrian Mezzina and Tim Persley, who have found themselves at the forefront.

The idea of barbershops doubling as spaces of social solace is not new. Flashing back to the first few decades of the 20th century – coined 'the golden age' of barbershops – these institutions were frequented as much as the local pub, dripping in ornate decor and alive with lively chatter. They are now being transported into the 21st century.

Bridging the gap between the traditional barber and the modern man is James Street's Twin Palms Barbershop. It's also the business that saw longtime friends and hospitality marketing experts, Adrian Mezzina and Tim Persley, find themselves immersed in an industry they never anticipated: haircare.

It was 2017, at the beginning of Brisbane's modern barbershop movement, when these two high school best mates endeavoured to create more than your average top-and-sides cut, but an inviting, well-thought-out space that valued comfort and high-quality service above all else.

Not one to take all the credit, Adrian says, "We definitely weren't the first kind of modern barbershop in Brisbane by any means... but we were definitely at the start of that culture." Named after Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs house, Twin Palms and its mid-century-inspired interiors fit nicely within the nationwide movement symptomatic of a broader cultural shift toward self-care and connection.

In amongst the top-notch service and complimentary whiskey pours, Twin Palms quickly became not just "the home of the late-night cut" but an unexpected social hub for locals and commuters alike, securing a prime spot on James Street after Adrian collaborated with the team on the James Street Food & Wine Festival from 2013 to 2016.

Though Twin Palms' thriving community scene was an unexpected byproduct for Adrian and Tim, they take pride in the welcoming space they've created, where every client who sits in the chair feels comfortable and truly taken care of. After all, when the space is inviting, you've got a whiskey in hand, and you see your barber more than some of your closest friends, friendships beyond the salon chair become inevitable. Tim says, "It's a nice little escape for a lot of people, outside of the rat race or busy days."

Their latest business venture St. Louis Says, the "bigger beast" as they refer to it, is a continuation of their considered approach. With their line of unisex luxury haircare – all consciously produced on the Sunshine Coast – the pair take their passion for the hair industry to new heights, offering that same Twin Palms care to consumers on a national, and soon-to-be international scale.

Though the two now operate long-distance, with Adrian in Sydney handling the big picture while Tim takes on production and branding from QLD, the two still bounce off each other, just like they did in school, with big ideas, grounded attitudes, and a passion to make premium haircare accessible to all.

As seen in Style Magazines.

April 2026 (print issue)

By: Victoria Lewis