Book In Progress, “Revival Of The Traditional Barber Shop: Southern California Edition”

Since we have written about barber shops from all over the world we decided to create a special book about this great revival! It is time to document the current history of this great craft known as barbering.

The “Revival Of The Traditional Barber Shop” will be a series. We are starting in our own backyard, Southern California and plan to create other regional editions.
It will only be available in  Hard copy! 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR BARBER SHOPS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO FEATURE IN THIS BOOK. If you are a shop or know of one please contact us, also looking for company sponsors GAMag@GentlemensAvenue.com
Revival announcement with cover

 

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The Gentlemen Of Steel: Savills Barbershop

Gents,

In 1731 a street was built in Mayfair, Central London that became known for its Bespoke and continues to be the golden mile of tailoring; Bespoke is high quality tailored men’s clothing. The street is named after the 3rd Earl of Burlington’s wife, Lady Dorothy Savile and is called Savile Row. About 275 years later, a new high quality service was created for Gentlemen seeking proper haircuts. Joth Davies opened his first shop and paid homage to the principles of the legendary Savile Row with Savills Barbershop located on Devonshire Street in Sheffield, England. For centuries Gentlemen have flocked to Savile Row because of the Bespoke, and modern Gentlemen seek out Savills for high quality cuts, service and products.

It is rare to find an individual who knows their calling in life right after school but Mr. Davies knew the barbering craft was his destiny. It has been 25 years since he began the journey and has established two barbershops with influence beyond Devonshire Street and Chapel Walk. Born in North London and raised in Sheffield, Joth knew he could not sit behind a desk all day long, “I had to do something that would involve the use of my creative side.”

Growing up he was influenced by iconic films like The Godfather, Untouchables, Once Upon A Time In America. According to Joth, “I was always inspired by the clothes, furniture and architecture. It is an eclectic style that combines traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials and always seems to stand the test of time and doesn’t look out of place today.” The décor in the barbershops is from the art deco period and gives  a nostalgic but modern feel. Some of the vintage barbering equipment includes barber chairs dating back to the early 1900’s, Campbell 1930’s hot lather machine, 1920’s club chairs and sofas to name a few. The passion for antique barbering was so great that Joth styled a shop around one of the Theo A. Kochs barbers chair!

The two shops have a combined 8 chairs, 9 barbers, 2 apprentices, and are located in Sheffield, which is the 3rd largest district in England. The Devonshire Street shop is “based around shopping areas, known for their small independent tattoo, clothing shops and variety of pubs and bars. One of the largest open areas in central Sheffield. You can find us in the heart of the Devonshire Quarter.” The fourth largest university in the UK is located “on the door step of Devonshire Street.” The Chapel Walk location is only “a narrow walkway away from the central shopping parade (mall) where all the larger retailers are situated, and at the other end is one of Savills patrons the World Famous Crucible and Lyceum Theaters.” Savills also has a contract with the Sheffield Theaters for their services.

The high quality services provided by Savills attracts patrons seeking classic and modern barbering techniques and won them numerous awards (2012 & 2013 The Star & Exposed: Best Barber). According to Joth, “Our ethos is built around traditional values. When a customer sits down in a chair we want them to feel like the only person in the shop. After a consultation we then cut their hair using barbering skills that have been handed down through generations.” Savills is defining the barbering craft in the UK because whether a customers comes in for a haircut, hot towel shave or shape-up, they walk out with the experience of being a Gentleman who is able to get away from the daily grind and take care of their grooming needs by experienced and established barbers.

282 years ago Savile Row began with a passion for distinct architecture and has become known for high quality tailored mens clothing that remains to this day. The shops created by Joth not only focus on barbering, but I believe they are making an impact in men’s grooming style and habits for years to come. Visit their website for images of cuts that transcend time and define modern Gentlemen’s style. While Sheffield is known as the Steel City, these Gentlemen wield steel barbering instruments to create new traditions for modern distinguished Gentlemen.

One thing that impressed me during the interview was that Savills is not only interested in cutting hair but they also provide aftercare for their clients, “There’s no point spending an hour making someone look great if they don’t know how to style their hair when they get home.” The attention to customers defines what high quality grooming services should be and is classic barbering.

Savills Barbershop

www.savillsbarbers.com

www.facebook.com/Savillsbarbers

Mr. M

www.facebook.com/Gentlemens.Ave

LYMLRMBGB!

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