My Visit to Ruffians: The New Barber Shop in the Heart of Covent Garden

You might have noticed I have been really bad at posting from the beginning of June. I had two of the  busiest months of work ever, which included partly enjoying the fun and mayhem of fashion week in London, Milan and Paris and partly being locked up in an office trying to cope with endless piles of work.
On the first day I allowed myself to take a breather, I could not think of anything more pleasant than to take Ruffians up on their invitation to try out their services at their new Covent Garden outpost. The new barber shop, which follows the success of its established brother in Edinburgh, is yet another clear sign of the well-deserved attention us guys are finally paying to grooming. Far from the overdone, pretentious and somewhat self-important barber shops that first opened in London, Ruffians has a welcoming and relaxed vibe. Their staff are friendly and attentive and the decor nods to all the heyday elements of the golden age of barber shops we love without the overwhelming stale vintage feel others are so keen on. It is a cool and welcoming place.
During my visit, I went for a beard trim and reshape, much needed after weeks of seclusion from the world. As a grooming freak aficionado, I am usually pretty good at judging people's skills right from the start. At Ruffians, it seemed quite evident that I was in extremely skilled hands. An idea confirmed by the few other gents who arrived after me and who were clearly regulars – the ultimate sign of a good barber shop.
Needless to say, I was very happy with my new fresh face. The whole experience is extremely relaxing – I will never again be able to visit a barber without getting an upper body massage – not to mention instructive, as your barber talks you through all the steps so you know exactly why they do what they do.

You can visit the Ruffians website for more information, including a list of services. Also there you can buy their full range of grooming products so you can carry on your hair and beard maintenance at home.

Ruffians

27 Maiden Lane

Covent Garden

London WC2E 7JS

Telephone: 020 7240 8180

Email: coventgarden@ruffians.co.uk

PS. A big thank you to Adam for organising and for taking these great pictures!

Fashion, Frankly and Courtesy of Ruffians

Grooming Tips for Growing and Keeping your Beard

For quite some time now, I have been getting requests from friends, readers and people I meet to post about products especially engineered to grow and keep your beard without suffering from itchiness. Truth to be told, the men's grooming industry is shockingly behind when it comes to this but, lucky for us, some clever brands are already on top of it. These are my recommendations:

My Grooming Experience at Dolce & Gabbana

A man's relationship with his barber is, or should be, one of the most important in his life. This has been clear to me since I was as young as 7 when I first started to visit the hairdresser's on my own. Over the years, I've realised that an essential part of a great grooming experience is how comfortable you feel with your barber. Working on this post, I also realised how sort of intimate the whole process is. Having a familiar face taking these pictures felt a bit like letting them in on a personal secret.

I first met Stefan some 2 years ago at a chic barber shop on Saville Row and, as they say, I never looked back. He is now one of the excellent grooming experts at the new Dolce & Gabbana menswear flagship store, which opened back in June. The barber shop, hidden away at the back of the ground floor, welcomes its guests with a beautiful sitting room that might feel like you've just walked into an Italian-flavoured luxurious version of a gentleman's dressing room. Should you need to wait for your barber, an up-to-date selection of the latest men's magazines can keep you entertained and informed. Passing the deep green velvet curtain that opens into the grooming room, a larger green space opens up framed with dark carved wooden details and what is probably the highlight of the room – a sultry picture of Scarlett Johansson that sometimes makes it hard to concentrate on the conversation.

Before Stefan even addresses the issue of my hair, I am always offered a drink. Regardless of what day or time it is such elegant surroundings ask for nothing less than champagne or whisky – if there ever was a chance for you to think you're Don Draper, this is definitely it.
The best part of what follows is that I barely have to elaborate of what I want for my hair. Stefan knows what I like and, in my years of trying different barbers, I have never met someone better at it. In the 45 to 60 minutes this process takes (cutting a man's hair requires close attention to detail) there are no more references to my hair, it's almost as if you were just having a drink with a pal who happens to be excellent at cutting your hair.

Visit Dolce & Gabbana at 53-57 New Bond Street, London W1S 1DG.

Big thanks to Stefan Avanzato, Rana Toofanian and Alessia Bossi.

All images Fashion, Frankly

Most Stylish of the Week: American Vs. British

I was close to skipping this week's Most Stylish of the Week again because of fashion week but I thought I couldn't deprive you from the weekly dose of celebrity style for much longer... ha!
We can expect some great fashion moments from the press tour of 'The Lone Ranger', which kicked off this weekend. Armie Hammer, who usually looks great but a tad too conventional for my taste, stepped out of the box in a beautiful pale pink Tom Ford linen suit worn with a white shirt and Ford's signature black knit tie.The cut is classic but right on the money and the colour is unexpected but elegant with a dash of preppy.
Also at the premiere was Johnny Depp, who is no stranger to best dressed lists. While I would have loved him to alter his trousers, I must admit no one could have ever rocked this Ralph Lauren navy pin stripe three-piece suit like him. The secret was in the native American accessorising, which was in line with the film and added Depp's personal touch.
It seems like Darren Criss has found his style mojo – finally! Or perhaps this is what an Emporio Armani suit does to a stylish man. All of the pieces fit him like a glove, now we just need him taken to the barber shop for some much-needed grooming makeover.

Meanwhile, in China, David Beckham went for a classic grey suit, which he kept looking modern with a square micro-print slim tie and his usual perfect hair – hence why he also deserves to be the best groomed of the week!
Even though David Gandy rarely departs with his signature look of slim double-chested blazer and  contrast trousers I must admit he has been making some brilliant combinations in the past few weeks. One of his latest hits was this muted brown jacket worn over a low crew neck tee, navy chinos and battered suede boots.
Daniel Radcliffe has been featured on the Most Stylish of the Week almost as many times as Beckham, which is to say a lot. The actor knows the importance of well-fitting tailoring, specially if (like me) you're not gifted with a tall body. His modern grey suit looked fantastic with the dressed down t-shirt and the yellow pop of colour of the shocks. Topping it off (literally) was his sharp haircut.

JustJared, Getty

Most Stylish of the Week: Basically just Chris Pine Looking Ace

Once again, I am sorry for the lateness of the post. A great weekend culminated with some late-night last-minute work on Sunday night to kick off the week early.
In any case, Chris Pine pretty much dominated the week in terms of style. He is one of those celebrity guys who I feel like I would get along with – we could 'hang' as they say. His biggest hit of the past 7 days was his super sharp pin stripe number by Ralph Lauren. I must admit pin stripe, especially the wide kind, is not a go-to pattern of mine but here it brings back a bit of flavour first from the 20's and then from the 50's, which paired with the modern micro polka dot tie and the immaculate cut of the pieces makes for quite a unique vision.
Pine's second best look was also spot-on and mixed a classic double-breasted grey suit with contemporary elements – the very on-trend dashes of orange and perfect tan leather Oxford shoes.
Also this week Luke Evans wore a three-piece suit with a very fitting slim silhouette made interesting with a burgundy traditional tie and matching pocket square. The Welshman knew how to make the most of his bespoke number by Thom Sweeney.

Bringing back the Best Grooming of the Week, it's back to Chris Pine. The actor went for my favourite grooming combo of all time – a slightly scruffy beard and tidy gelled hair, which suited him perfectly and brought out his killer blue eyes. Yes, even I can't get over those.

Getty

Introducing: Gentlemen Only, the new fragrance by Givenchy

In 1975, Hubert de Givenchy launched Gentleman, a lavender-scented men's fragrance that became something of a cult in the 70's. Now, 38 years later, the house reinvents the icon with Gentlemen Only – a new modern woody fragrance of cedar, patchouli and vetiver with a fresh aroma of orange, pink peppercorns, nutmeg and birch leaves. The range includes the Eau de toilette – featuring a classic bottle design inspired on the original Gentleman –, an after-shave, and a spray and stick deodorant.
Simon Baker serves as the face of the new fragrance. An elegant and non-chalant man – the ultimate modern gentleman. Make sure to check out the TV commercial below.

Givenchy is also giving one lucky gentleman the opportunity to win a trip to New York City and a gift voucher at Bergdorf Goodman. Find out more about the competition and enter here.

Courtesy of Givenchy

Most Stylish of the Week: 'Tis the Season to Look Dashing

I am a true believer in that the holidays make everyone want to look their best. Whether it's at movie premieres, Miami Art Basel or heading to Whole Foods for a spot of grocery shopping celebrities looked dashing this week.
John Krasinski killed it in a slim Calvin Klein number. And not only the fit is perfect but so are the proportions. It's a classic suit but the touch of black satin on the buttons and lapels gives it a fresh vibe.
Another actor who got it right this week is Elijah Wood, who has us used to skinny fits but looked great this week in a more classic fit, which he accessorised perfectly with a checked tie of festive vibes.
Joseph Altuzarra, one of my favourite womenswear designers, managed to find the perfect casual outfit for Art Basel. The centrepiece is, of course, the stunning green suede varsity jacket. Who else but a designer could be so aware of the power of a simple colour palette and a touch of texture.
Jim Toth, Reese Witherspoon's new husband, proved how a man can be fashionable, manly and comfortable. The chambray shirt and chinos combo is a no-brainer and here it's perfectly with a preppy shawl collar cardigan and tan leather wingtip brogues.

This week's praise for best grooming is all for David Gandy. It's one thing to be in such good shape that everything looks good on you but it's nice to see he doesn't only rely on his good looks and gives grooming the importance it deserves. Gandy's haircut is simple enough but works perfectly with his head's shape and build.

JustJared

In celebration of Movember,here are my favourite facial hair moments of 2012

Top to bottom and left to right: Justin O'Shea, Nick Wooster, Robert Rabensteiner, Roo Panes, Justin Doss, Josh Peskowitz,

 Random guy from GQ's street style, Zac Efron.

I'm not going to lie, I haven't considered for a second joining the Movember movement this year. As much facial hair as I might have I can't seem to grow a decent moustache. I also avoid clean shaving altogether to avoid looking like a toddler. I am not the biggest fan of moustaches in general unless you smoke a pipe or you're going through a hipster phase.
Instead, I thought I'd put together a post with some of my favourite facial hair moments from celebrities and fashion insiders this year. Who says Movember shouldn't be a celebration of a man's most distinctive (exposed) feature? Which is why tonight's launch of the 100 Beards, 100 Days book by Jonathan Daniel Pryce is the prefect way to end the day. Check out his tumblr here and stay tuned for more info on his book.

PS. This below is the closest I'll ever come to having a moustache. I look like I've been beaten with a stick but it fit the theme of the day so what the hell, right?

Fashion, Frankly

Most Stylish of the Week: Casual chic

I always get a certain feeling of accomplishment when a few of 'Most Stylish of the Week' match with those of American GQ. I guess it's easier when we don't have a particularly busy week in menswear.
Ashton Kutcher, whom I'm equally happy and jealous of for going out with Mila Kunis, went for the ultimate casual chic combination this week. A tweed blazer and plaid shirt is always a winner. I am not a fan of the shoes but I love the touch of the baseball hat and shades, which give it a 'Ivy League' vibe.
Robbert Pattinson's I-don't-give-a-damn outfits have become a lot more stylish since parting ways with K Stew. I love a bit of black and blue action and the slid back beanie tops it all off, literally, with a touch of boho chic.
This week we also witnessed Roo Panes' third lesson on how to wear a Burberry flannel jacket. First, he showed us a smart evening look, followed by an effortless scruffy but cool ensemble. Now it's time for the casual chic outfit finished off with a clean shave and a dapper pair of purple Jimmy Choo 'Hamilton' loafers.

The best groomed guy of the week is Matthew Fox in his latest editorial for Da Man magazine. I love it when men understand the power of striking the perfect balance between the scruffy and the polished. A stubble with a gel slicked-back hairdo is one of my favourite tricks for an elegant but not overly smart look. And this is exactly what the stylist for the shoot has done for Matthew. If only he kept it up off camera...

JustJared, Style.com

Best Grooming of the Week (and the last two decades): Bud Fox

It is good that I am posting about this online and not telling one in person because I am afraid I might get my ass kicked if I told anyone in person. I only watched 'Wall Street' last night for the first time. Yes, I know. And not only that, but I had seen the sequel in the cinema before it. Shame on me.
To make up for it I thought I would give the 'Best Grooming of the Week' to Bud Fox for his glossy slicked-back do. I wore my hair very similar to this until quite recently but I am contemplating re-adopting it for this winter.
Patrick Bateman – Christian Bale's character in American Psycho – sported a slightly less sleek version of it in 2000 and currently we can see it in the flamboyantly cool Scott Disick who is the perfect marriage between a 50's Garden State gangster and an 80's yuppie.

Frank loves: Pankhurst London

I have been religiously visiting Pankhurst London once a month since having my first haircut there last November. You see, I might be young but ever since I can remember I have always taken grooming very seriously and so wherever I have lived I have always tried to find the best hairdresser in town. I stay clear of trendy, sassy places and go instead for the sharp ones, the classic ones with a twist. That's exactly what Pankhurst is: the place where a 21st century London-based Don Draper would get his trim and chat about Scotch with Steve McQueen.
Downstairs at Nick Tentis on 37 Savile Row – The Row, for the regulars – Pankhurst creates its own world of vintage barber shop furniture, golden book wallpaper and iTunes-powered background music. My favourite thing about it is how they bring together the old school and the modern that is even evident in the young staff who have the skills of someone twice their age. Here I must insert the shout out to Stefan Avanzato, the artist to whom I own all the good compliments about the 'sharpness' of my hair even when my next visit is due. He is also the first hairdresser I have had a normal conversation with. Despite what his skinny coffees might indicate, there's no room for uncalled-for gossip at Pankhurst.
I am yet to try out their barber services, which I hear feel like being reborn. I have denied myself the pleasure of a clean shave for years due to the fact that my bare face gets me ID'ed trying to buy a Mars bar. But a Pankhurst shaving experience is in my list of things to do before 2013.
Another struggle during my short yet intense life in grooming has been finding the right hair products. There is nothing more irritating that walking out of your hairdresser's feeling good with your fresh haircut only to shower the next morning and realising your products are no use.
Pankhurst also sells their own range of products so you can go home and avoid the day-after disappointment. They kindly gifted me some of them to sample. The moulding cream is deceivingly strong and works extremely well both for classic smart and contemporary textured styles, which is very useful for me and something you won't find in a lot of products. The head to toe shampoo is also the same one they will use on you at the shop. It has this amazing sort of citrusy menthol smell that will wake you up and make you feel fresh in the morning or on Friday night before going out. But my favourite is the aftershave ice gel. Chuck out your regular after shave balm because Pankhurst's, which genuinely looks like gel made from ice, not only doesn't sting but it makes your skin feel better than before you even shaved.
Pankhurst has also recently released a series of video tutorials where they teach you how to use each of their products so that you can have a professional result every day. But remember real men don't go longer than 3 or 4 weeks without a fresh trim. Click here to book yours at Pankhurst London.

Make sure to check out their site for hairstyle inspiration and follow them on Twitter for updates live from the Row.

All images Fashion, Frankly

Most Stylish of the Week: It's all in the Prada tie

JustJared, Mulberry

It hasn't been a particularly good week in menswear style, though you can always trust David Beckham to bring in some effortless coolness. Always.
I want to start with Austin Butler. I have been watching his style for weeks now but can't quite decide on whether he's just another LA guy or if there is something interesting in the way he dresses. It's funny because most of what he's wearing in the picture above qualifies as things I would never wear – baseball hat, plunging neck tee, tracksuit bottoms. But I can't seem to feel like there is something cool about the way he's put them together and added a nice grey denim jacket and a pair of navy TOMS shoes. I'll keep observing and reporting back.
This week I would like to name Stefano Tonchi as best dressed. This man has made a signature style out of double-breasted blazers and neckerchiefs. But it's incredible how he always manages to look different and very current in terms of fashion. What makes this look he wore to the Mulberry dinner last night during the first day of the Frieze Art Fair in New York is the Prada tie. I posted some of them on (Fashion, Frankly's brand new) Tumblr and I am definitely getting myself one in the next couple of weeks!
Best grooming goes, once again, to Mr David Beckham. I really want to know whether someone does it for him, if it is a great cut he can sweep back with his hand or if he just wakes up looking like that in the morning.

Thoughts?

Most Stylish of the Week: A dash of Efron

JustJared

How well am I doing posting every week? I am impressed at myself! I am even more impressed at Zac Efron. He has been out and about in London this week promoting his latest movie. I don't know what it is about him being here that always makes him look very dashing – remember last time? My favourite looks of him have been the smarter ones, though he knows how to wear a t-shirt well. The first look was super classic – a three-piece black suit paired with a crisp white shirt. No tie and simple lace-up shoes. It might seem easy but it's not. What makes this look great is the fact that the trousers are ever so slightly cropped to show a bit of sock, the sleeves are the exact length so that enough of the shirt cuff shows. You see? Look number two was daring. It was clever to go for a colour suit in a clean skinny cut – no waistcoat or extra colours. He what is clever is allowing the colour to be the statement, which only works when the suit fits like a glove. The trousers look custom-made to me, can you see how well they fit? I appreciate the effort – my only complaint is that the fabric is a tad too shiny. Lessons are to be learnt from the master of suit-wearing. Look three is my favourite. I love the shade of navy of the three-piece suit. What makes this look is the accessorising – there is a hint of burgundy from the socks (perfectly cut trousers again), a pop of light from the white pocket square and the flower pattern of the tie, which brings together the colour of the suit and the colour of the socks. It's just great work! 

JustJared

This week I have also decided to institute a grooming award in this weekly post. I feel like the world doesn't give good male hair the recognition it deserves. And some of these guys deserve even a monument. Luke Evans was looking great this week. He is one of those lucky buggers who has an odd-yet-cool beard shape. But still, I suspect a little trim here and there. It makes me feel less alone when other men don't just walk around with facial hair out of control. And, guess what, Efron is also my winner of best hair this week. They are really styling it these days because he's wearing some awful blond highlights from a film with Nicole Kidman. I am really liking the diagonal part-in and the quiff-like-a-sea-wave. It's just cool.

JustJared