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Quoted by Hair Magazine as "the hottest designer in Canada," born in England of Royal Stewart blood, the son of a successful lawyer. Barker started his career in London in the sixties, and was managing a salon within two years. He immigrated to Canada where he impressed Gus Caruso, one of the 'Deans of Canadian Hairdressing', eventually becoming head stylist of Caruso's Toronto salon. In 1971 Robin Barker opened his own salon, which shortly after was the first salon where makeovers became an integral part of the service.
At this time, Robin gave Moses Znaimer, cofounder of City TV, an idea for a TV show which became City Woman, later known as City Line. Robin was a regular for over 30 years as well as on other national television programs.
Barker has represented many leading companies as a 'Platform Artist' including a Roy Thompson Hall production for L'Oreal as Premier Stylist, sharing the stage with Alexander de Paris
.His work has been featured in virtually every major trade magazine in the world as well as Vogue and Italian Vogue. For three years he was Artistic Director, and four years President of the Guild of Hair Design. Robin was also a long time member of Intercoiffure, and the official hairdresser for the Miss Universe Canada Pageant for many years.
Robin has received many accolades and awards including Imagine Mirror Awards, the Contessa, plus the coveted Gus Caruso. Besides being an award winning 'youthful' master hairdresser, a photographer, songwriter and exercise and golf freak, he has also hosted and produced a weekly television show WOW! You Look So Good!
After 22 years at one location, Robin moved to a brilliant new salon in upscale Yorkville, in Toronto. In 2009, Robin opened a 'Signature Salon' at the glorious 240-room Rosseau Resort and Spa Marriott Hotel in Minett, Muskoka. He is soon to open two more 'Signature Salons just outside of Toronto.
Much of Robin's time has been charity driven. As G.H.D. President, he is very proud of being the first in the beauty and fashion world to organize a show to raise money for AIDS, specifically the AIDS' Committee of Toronto. He has been involved with the Sick Kid's Hospital Telethon and was also the motivational force to promote the Parkinson's Cut-A-Thon event nationally. For 20 years Robin was the chairman and founder of the Scissors Open, the Gus Caruso Memorial Golf Tournament, which was charity driven on behalf of the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Still in his charitable leaning, this time as a composer, Robin is producing a CD of his songs. All the proceeds from the sale of this sponsored effort will be donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation for children affected by AIDS in East Africa. Next he intends to write a humorous autobiography - the names will be changed to protect the not-so-innocent.
