MAY 2017 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA 133
EXEC STYLE
A Cut Above
B
ookended by prestigious
neighbours St James’s
Palace and The Ritz
London, Truefitt & Hill
has, in its own words, been ‘grooming
men for greatness since 1805’. Those
visiting the barbershop to seek this
greatness have included Charles
Dickens, Sir Winston Churchill, Cary
Grant and Frank Sinatra. The shop
also bears a Royal Warrant from
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Its dapper premises carry an
air of bygone charm (not to mention
the spicy, fruity aroma of oils, creams
and aftershaves), with dark timber
walls flaunting framed paintings of
distinguished figures and tall-masted
ships that hark back to the era when
Britannia ruled the waves.
Sharply dressed staff in ties
and waistcoats tend to customers
reclined in old fashioned leather
barber chairs with hot towels draped
around their necks. Some are here
for cut-throat shaves; others with
hair, beards and moustaches to be
carefully and expertly groomed.Truefitt & Hill began as the
court wigmaker for King George
III, but evolved into a one-stop shop
designed to help discerning types
keep up, and enhance, appearances
(you can also book head and face
massages, exfoliation treatments,
manicures and shoe shines).
“We have clients who have
been visiting us for 50 years, and
also younger men who are seeking
out our luxury grooming products,”
says Truefitt & Hill’s Tara Draper-
Stumm. “Our history and reputation
attract visitors from around the
world for that quintessentially
English grooming experience.”
Customers often leave carrying
neatly-packaged, English-made
Truefitt & Hill goodies, whether it’s
badger-haired shaving brushes and
skin renewal boosters or aftershaves
infused with the scent of, say, West
Indian limes. In a sign the business
has fully embraced the 21st century,
you can also purchase products
from their website. 71 St James’s St,
London; http://www.truefittandhill.co.uk.Wo rd s STEVE MCKENNA & YASMIN VOUGHTThe world’s oldest barber shop, Truefitt & Hill, has been
keeping men well groomed for more than 200 years.SYDNEY
The Barberhood
The well-dressed barbers of Sydney’s The
Barberhood combine old-world barbering
techniques with modern-day touches, such
as waxing. You can even get a shoeshine
while you wait for your trim.5MartinPl;
http://www.barberhood.com.au.CANBERRA
QT Canberra Barber Shop
Also available at the boutique brand’s
Sydney hotel, the QT Canberra Barber Shop
offers an in-house groomer with services
including the ‘Mr Bond Shave’, a 45-minute
treatment with straight-edged razor shave,
hydrating eye masque and a hand and
shoulder massage. The barber shop also
houses the door that leads to glamorous
Lucky’s Speakeasy where the Oaked Jack
Sparrow cocktail is a favourite.1 London
Cct;www.qthotelsandresorts.com.BRISBANE
Esquire Barber
Become a VIP at this vintage-styled barber
shop for $3500 (per annum) and receive
a ‘reserved throne’ at your preferred time
once a week for a steamed face shave,
cleansing scalp massage and condition,
tailored cut, straight-edged razor neck
clean, styled finish and hot towel. 202
Edward St;www.malegrooming.com.au.MELBOURNE
Kings Domain
Local craft beer is on the pour at Kings
Domain while you enjoy the old-fashioned
decor, complete with vintage barber chairs
and taxidermy. Indulge in the $90 Royal
Treatment for what the shop promises is
the ‘ultimate grooming experience’.1/12
Collins St; http://www.kingsdomain.com.au.Where to groom in....