GA Thanksgiving Film Festival 2015

Folks,

Thank you very much for supporting everything we do. Whether it is publishing books and magazines or launching into independent films you have stood behind us and here is a little something that we created because we can.

While most film festivals take place in different parts of the world we decided to display some of our recent work online and create our own kind of film festival.

These short films (under 10 min) are all new and exciting. We are currently in post production on our first major film project, 120 Years Of Barbering the film that will be released on DVD in April 2016.

We will post the 3 short films on our website and YouTube Channel so stay tuned. This is our way of demonstrating our Thankfulness!

Want to get involved in our many film projects? Produce, Sponsor a one of a kind film project today! Contact us for details GAFilms@GentlemensAvenue.com

thanksgiving poster insta copy

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120 Years of Barbering the film: Update 1.0, “Foundation”

Folks,

Looking at old barber photographs is fascinating because you get to view moments in time that willvintage barber shop pic never be repeated in the ancient profession of barbering. Or does history repeat itself?

I enjoy writing and filming anything manly and barbering is a bastion for scoundrels and gentlemen alike. Whether the barber is 20 years old straight out of barber college or the 25 year veteran both have a tradition that stretches back several millennia.

Barbering can be best viewed as a continuum because the profession remains unbroken. So when I learned about an 89 and 75 year young barbers that work in some really cool shops my interest was peaked. Immediately the spark was ignited and I knew we should capture their lives in barbering on film to preserve this great profession.

Moreover, while filming I realized that these fine gentlemen have not only been shop owners but also fathers, husbands that have experienced success, war, addiction, loss,  the Great Barber Decline, 120 years film insta 2failure, revival, and life in barbering.

From their own words you will hear their unique and eventful stories that shaped them into the men they are today and their scared profession of barbering that gives them purpose every single day and keeps them young.

You will never view barbering the same again. Watch the trailer here.

 

Presented by GentlemensAvenue.com, Donnie Hawley, & Layrite

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Download the TRADITIONAL TATTOO JOURNAL now!!!

Folks,

We worked long and hard on this special edition issue of the Traditional Tattoo Journal. I am extremely thankful to everyone involved. We hope you enjoy the FREE digital download of the magazine. The hard copy will be available next week for purchase.ttj release now website

 

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Checkout Part II of Episode I, “The 90 Year Old Barber Shop”

The fine gentlemen at Cal Pine Barber Shop in Stockton, CA have an amazing tradition inbarbers infront cal pine a historic part of California.

Thank you Mr. Zaragoza and your talented and team of barbers for opening your shop and sharing your history with us.

Stay tuned for the rest of the Real California series. www.GentlemensAvenue.com

***for best viewing set to HD 1080***

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Watch Real California episode I part I, “The Hatter”

Gents,

The Real California episode I part I features Wellema Hat Co. in “The Hatter” from Santa ga roadtrip 2015 cody folding hat for trailerBarbara, CA. We traveled 118 miles to get to this amazing hat shop. Mr. Wellema is one of the few hatters in America that makes heirloom quality hats by hand. That means no machines and everything is made one stitch and bend at a time.

Whether you are looking for a bowler, fedora, stetson, pork pie or any style Mr. Wellema can make it for you. All hats are made to order and fully custom. That means each hat is one of a kind.

We hope you enjoy this short video.

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Real California Episode 1 Trailer!

We traveled over 1,200 miles across the state of California and visited a few Real Californians.Ga Real California for trailer release on website These fine folks are craftsman and artists that are keeping traditions alive. Stay tuned for the short video.

Thank you Cody Wellema from Wellema Hat Co., Cal-Pine Barber Shop, Ed and Doug Hardy from Ed Hardy’s Tattoo City, Rick Loftin from Wild Bill’s Barber Shop and all the amazing people we met in their shops and along the way.

A special thank you to our EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR Hawleyood’s Barber Shop and Layrite, thank you for the support Donnie!

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Modern Renaissance Man Part II: Grooming Products

Gents,

Being a modern renaissance man not only requires a great haircut but also grooming products to create the desired style. In the first article we discussed the manly institution known as barber shops and the next vitruvian new design instalogical topic is grooming products. A few questions must be asked and answered to provide greater clarity on the multi-billion dollar industry. Yes, I said multi-billion.

The first myth or misconception is that all grooming products are the same and we declare that they are not. The working definition of “grooming products” for the focus of this article is, any and all products that are applied to men’s hair for styling purposes. The word hair is referring to facial hair also. The following distinctions can be applied to grooming products in general (minus the super rare exotic product).

bandido pomade instaOne major point of contention in the men’s grooming world is oil vs water based debate. There is folklore about oil based products that it will cause baldness due to the “reason” that it will clog your hair follicles and essentially kill it. Likewise, water based products with all the “chemicals” are also believed by some to cause baldness.

As far as we know there is no scientific basis for either of these claims but they are founded upon isolated and anecdotal data. For instance, someone may claim “my friend used product X and now he is bald therefore product X caused the baldness”. DISCLAIMER: IF you are using any grooming product and experience any unusual hair loss or irritation we recommend you stop using it and contact a doctor.

The organic/vegan/all-natural product category creates a whole new set of charlis beard oilconcerns. Instead of worrying about chemical damage and hair loss the issues have to do with performance. Many companies use essential oils and are parfum free so the fragrances are mint, pine or other strong natural aromas. These products will not hold your hair in place like “gel” or most water based pomades.

The chosen grooming product speaks about style and we are not necessarily referring to grooming. Men can be diehard and ardent about their grooming products regardless of other offerings. Some men choose their grooming products based upon the reputation of the  layrite cementfounders and they feel an association with them or possibly have met them. Coupled with the acceptable performance they will use the product the rest of their lives. The association with the companies that were first in the marketplace have a solid hold on the market.

Without a doubt as men continue to pay for a quality cut there will be a need for grooming products. Choosing them and finding what works best may be trial and error and you should speak with your barber about what he recommends. Being a modern renaissance man will require quality grooming products to achieve the desired style that compliment a great cut. Do not be fooled and believe that products create the hair style because your hair cut is the foundation.

Mr. M

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Support Our New Project Today!

We are excited to launch a new campaign to raise awareness about the plague EV 15 insta announcementof domestic violence. Our goal is to educate men and women about the dangers of these acts. The statistics are alarming. For instance, every minute 20 people are the victims of domestic violence, a woman is beaten every 9 seconds in the U.S., 1 in 7 men will be victims of severe violence by an intimate partner in their lifetimes.

Men and women can both be the victims of domestic violence.

Click Here to get INVOLVED and TAKE A STAND today! FREE posters and t-shirts (while supplies last)

 

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Win A Can Of The NEW Layrite Cement Pomade!

Gents,

The folks at Layrite sent us a few jars of their new Cement pomade. We are giving away 3 cans, 1 per winner. Contest ends May 31, 2015 9:00 pm PST. Multiple entries are accepted. You only have to do one thing!

To Enter:
1.  Share/Repost on Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and tag @Gentlemens_Ave  @Gentlemens.Avenue    #OfficialLayrite

Winners will be announced on social media June 1, 2015.

free layrite cement1

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Before Social Media There Was Barbering The Old-Fashion Way

Gents,

Recently Donnie Hawley traveled to Brazil for Fashion Week and to launch Layrite. Not Donnie and The Avenue in Brazilonly did he take his cowboy boots, luggage, product, promo materials but also The Avenue Men’s Magazine and not just one copy but a boat load (pictured right)! I began to wonder how a barber from Southern California could travel around the world and impact several industries and inspiring others along the way.

In a day and age where social media dominates and validates “popularity” it almost seems impossible to build a world-wide business the old-fashion way, one interaction at time. Keep in mind, when Donnie started there was no Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media. No one was able to “share” “like” or “tweet” about him but his name is known worldwide for a style of barbering that Donnie in Germanyrevolutionized the world of traditional barbering.  Yes, other tattooed barbers existed but none would achieve the level of success and notoriety of Donnie.

Donnie’s travels began in 2004 and have taken him and his barbering tradition to Spain, Germany, Japan (pictured below with Mid-Century Barber Shop), Ireland, UK, Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Holland to name a few. People the world over have welcomed him and the traditional barber style that is distinctly Hawlewoods.

Before barbering became popular, there was Donnie Hawley. Before there were more pomades than you can shake a stick to, there was Layrite. It may be hard to believe that barbers didn’t always have tattoos and not every shop looked like a 1940’s time capsule Donnie in Japan with Abe menbut barber history does in fact reflect that truth.

From all the interaction I have had with barbers and men from around the world it is obvious that men’s style and barbering has benefited tremendously from Donnie and Layrite. Every relationship was built the old-fashion way, one handshake and visit at a time.

 

Mr. M

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