When Kylian Mbappé traveled to Cameroon for a highly publicized tour in the summer of 2023, fans and media alike noticed a constant presence by his side. To the untrained eye, the young man accompanying the French football captain across the globe might have seemed like just another member of an expansive entourage. However, dismissing Brice Tchaga as merely “Mbappé’s best friend” is a massive understatement. At just 28 years old, this Parisian of Cameroonian descent is a self-made entrepreneur, an elite hairstylist, an ambassador for Dior, and the trusted grooming expert for a staggering roster of athletes, musicians, and fashion icons.
Tchaga has seamlessly bridged the worlds of sports, high fashion, and luxury. But how did a self-taught teenager cutting hair in his high school’s study hall become the most sought-after barber in Europe? The story of Brice Tchaga is one of relentless passion, strategic networking, and an unyielding dedication to his craft.
The 2017 Spark: How Brice Tchaga Met Kylian Mbappé
The deep, fraternal bond between Brice Tchaga and Kylian Mbappé traces its origins back to 2017. At the time, Mbappé was an explosive teenage prodigy playing for AS Monaco. Tchaga, who was not yet known to the wider public, was called in to take care of the Monaco squad’s haircuts just before a crucial Champions League round of 16 match.
That initial professional encounter quickly evolved into a profound friendship. Today, Tchaga is considered an extension of the Mbappé family. He views Kylian’s younger brother, Ethan, as his own little brother, and the two men share a relationship built on absolute honesty. “We have a relationship of sincerity, we tell each other things as soon as it is necessary. It is very fraternal,” Tchaga confessed to Paris Match. “I am proud of what he does, and I think he is also a little bit proud of me”.
This loyalty means Tchaga is a fixture in Mbappé’s life, regularly attending matches to support Kylian and their mutual close friend, Achraf Hakimi. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Tchaga traveled with the French national team to ensure the players’ haircuts remained flawless while personally supporting his closest friends on the biggest stage. When Mbappé goes on international tours, like his emotional trip to the United States or his journey to his father’s native Cameroon, Tchaga is right there with him.
From the Study Hall to “235th Barber Street”
Tchaga’s journey to the pinnacle of the grooming industry started far away from VIP lounges. Born in the spring of 1996 in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, growing up near the Porte de Bagnolet, Tchaga discovered his calling remarkably early. His passion for hairdressing was born almost simultaneously with his love for football. As a child, he was mesmerized by the atmosphere of local barbershops. “I was hypnotized by the noises,” he recalled. “I remember the clicking of the clippers, but above all the faces that were renewed”.
At around 10 or 12 years old, he picked up a pair of clippers and began practicing on his little brother, and soon after, his father became a regular client. By the time he reached high school, Tchaga had turned the school’s study hall (salle de permanence) into his unofficial first salon. He cut his friends’ hair for free, eventually earning such a reputation that even the school monitors and the senior educational counselor (CPE) lined up for a trim.
Despite this obvious talent, his parents initially pushed for a traditional, secure career path. Trying to please his mother, Tchaga obtained a vocational baccalaureate in electrotechnics and even enrolled in a university law degree program. “Psychologically, I was torn between the desire to please my mother and the desire to follow my dreams to the end,” he admitted. Law school only lasted a year before he realized he had to follow his hands. At 18, the self-taught artisan secured a job at “235th Barber Street,” a highly popular barbershop in Paris’s 19th arrondissement. He spent five crucial years there, transforming his spontaneous, instinctive cutting style into a refined, technical mastery of the trade.
The Blaise Matuidi Connection and a Star-Studded Clientele
While perfecting his technique at the barbershop, Tchaga continued to play amateur football in Vincennes. It was on the pitch that he experienced his second major career turning point: meeting Blaise Matuidi, the 2018 World Cup champion who was starring for Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
Tchaga began cutting Matuidi’s hair, and the midfielder was so impressed that he started flying the young barber out to Italy every Saturday. “I had found a job that reconciled my two passions,” Tchaga noted. Through word of mouth and undeniable skill, Tchaga’s reputation skyrocketed. He transitioned into a freelance celebrity groomer, traveling across Europe—from Madrid to Milan to London—to style international football stars before decisive matches. His football clientele quickly expanded to include names like Johan Bakayoko, Ousmane Dembélé, Presnel Kimpembe, and Tiémoué Bakayoko.
But Tchaga’s appeal was not limited to athletes. His sharp aesthetic and understanding of urban culture caught the attention of the entertainment industry. Soon, his VIP roster grew to include global music superstars like American rapper Travis Scott, French hitmakers Gims and DJ Snake, and prominent comedians like Fary.
Conquering High Fashion and the Dior Ambassadorship
As his celebrity network expanded, the high fashion world took notice of his unique ability to style all hair types, particularly his expertise with afro, curly, and textured hair. In 2021, Guido Palau, an iconic hairstylist for global Fashion Weeks, scouted Tchaga and opened the doors to elite runway shows.
Tchaga began working backstage in New York, Milan, and Paris for legendary fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Valentino. He brought an unprecedented level of audacity to male runway grooming. For a Versace show, he famously shaved the brand’s iconic Greek key motif directly into a model’s hair. For Valentino, he executed a spectacular “high-top” featuring three distinct hair textures.
His ultimate crossover into the luxury sphere came in 2022 when he was appointed as an expert and official ambassador for Dior’s men’s beauty line, “Grooming Sauvage“. In this role, he works on Dior advertising campaigns, provides styling tutorials for the brand, and manages the haircuts for male models during Dior’s runway presentations. For Tchaga, collaborating with figures like Dior Men’s artistic director Kim Jones cemented his status as a true fashion insider.
Building an Empire: “Hair Place by Tchaga”
Having conquered the freelance and VIP world, Tchaga set his sights on his ultimate childhood dream: opening his own premium salon. In April 2024, at the age of 28, he inaugurated “Hair Place by Tchaga,” situated at the very top of the prestigious Printemps Haussmann department store in Paris.
The launch party was a testament to his incredible network. Kylian Mbappé, Ethan Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Achraf Hakimi, Dadju, Léna Mahfouf, and Tina Kunakey all attended to celebrate their friend’s “first baby”. Located on the 7th floor of the Printemps de l’Homme building, the 80-square-meter salon is a temple of masculine wellness. Designed with sand-colored mosaics, light wood furniture, smoked glass, and a breathtaking 180-degree panoramic terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower and the Parisian rooftops, it offers an unparalleled luxury experience. Tchaga assembled a team of six to eight highly trained barbers capable of handling every hair type.
The salon goes far beyond standard haircuts. True to his Dior ambassadorship, Tchaga ensures the space offers comprehensive “grooming” services, including traditional shaves, beard trimming, and premium facial skincare treatments. “There is a real expansion in masculine beauty,” Tchaga explained, highlighting that modern men want to take better care of their skin and appearance.
A Legacy of Creativity and Cultural Pride
Despite his meteoric rise and his proximity to global icons, Brice Tchaga remains deeply grounded in his roots. He frequently expresses his passion for his Cameroonian heritage, having traveled back to the West region of Cameroon to connect with his family and history. This cultural richness directly influences his art. “Urban and afro hairstyles are in fashion. That’s good, I love braids. They are part of my heritage,” he proudly stated.
He uses his platform to challenge the restrictive norms of men’s fashion, encouraging men to embrace originality without sacrificing their masculinity. “I try to cultivate my open-mindedness and show that you can remain masculine while pushing the slider further, as long as it fits our personality,” he explained.
Tchaga is no longer just a barber; he is a grooming visionary. From the study halls of Paris to the VIP boxes of the Champions League, and from the Dior runways to the rooftop of Printemps Haussmann, Brice Tchaga has proven that with enough passion and excellence, a pair of clippers can indeed conquer the world. And as he hints at opening more locations in the future, it is clear that “Hair Place by Tchaga” is just the beginning of his empire.
Here are some haircut ideas for Kylian and Tchaga
