Capt. Peabody Fawcett Rn (Retd.) - The Quintessential Grooming Guide for the Modern Gentleman

The Captain should like to take this opportunity to thank Gordon, Iain, Allie, Cate, & Lily, without whom this book would not have been possible.

All Hail the Hirsute!

First published in 2017 by Jacqui Small

An imprint of The Quarto Group

7477 White Lion Street

London N1 9PF

TEXT COPYRIGHT

2017 by Captain Fawcett Limited

ALL COMMISSIONED PHOTOGRAPHY

Captain Fawcett Limited / Jacqui Small

DESIGN AND LAYOUT COPYRIGHT

Jacqui Small 2017

Front cover artwork by Ginger Monkey

The authors moral rights have been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

PUBLISHER: Jacqui Small

SENIOR COMMISSIONING EDITOR: Eszter Karpati

EDITOR: Sian Parkhouse

MANAGING EDITOR: Emma Heyworth-Dunn

SENIOR DESIGNER: Rachel Cross

TYPOGRAPHIC CONSULTANT: Iain Crockart

ADDITIONAL PICTURE RESEARCH: Sarah Smithies

PRODUCTION: Maeve Healy

Digital edition: 978-1-91112-763-5
Hardcover edition: 978-1-91025-488-2

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

The distinctive and inimitable style of Queyn Dinhs Tattoo Flash as fine art can be seen on the walls and arms of many a good barber.

M Y DEAR CHUMS, how refreshing to see your refined noses in a good book! To those readers who have yet to make my acquaintance, allow me to introduce myself. I am Captain Peabody Fawcett, R.N. Retd, purveyor and manufacturer of simply first-class gentlemans grooming requisites, and intrepid world traveller and adventurer to boot.

As a long-time connoisseur of hair in all its glorious manifestations, I was delighted to receive an invitation to compile The Quintessential Grooming Guide for the Modern Gentleman. To muster this history and modern gentlemans guide I have journeyed far and wide, encountering astounding characters and follicular experts whose generosity sharing work and stories is without parallel. Their contributions are illustrated by images from some of the worlds best photographers, unmistakable artists every one of them. I have been enlightened and entertained, and I am most sincerely grateful to them all.

I hold in high regard those invisible qualities of courage, honour and service that reside in the hearts of gallant gentlemen, yet well understand that how one presents oneself to the world is of paramount importance. How a fellow chooses to frame his face is the mark of a man and has a bearing on how he will be judged by society. The long and the short of it, is that hair matters. From the first flourish of facial follicles heralding the beginning of manhood, at some juncture every chap must decide how best to polish and present himself, whether to blend in or stand out. Fashion, faith, class, culture and profession all shape ones beard or indeed the shaving of it, and to be well-groomed has a profound influence on a chaps confidence and self-esteem. There is no doubting a considered appearance allows one to put ones best foot forward and maintain a stiff upper lip, regardless.

Rajah or revolutionary, soldier or schoolboy, every man from poor prisoner to glittering prince has at some time had a haircut or shave. His barber might be lavish with hot towels in a scented city salon or own little more than a broken mirror on a Kolkata street corner, but a gentlemans impulse to pay attention to his appearance has been the same throughout history. Whether ascetic monk renouncing vanity or dapper man about town fully embracing it, by styling his hair a particular way a gentleman projects something of his personality, social standing and sense of wellbeing.

I would be delighted if you were to join me as I celebrate adventurous gentlemen everywhere and some most memorable ladies from all walks of life, as I stroll through time and travel around the world. Onward chaps!

All Hail the Hirsute!

THE RISE OF THE MODERN GENTLEMAN

MIXING ECLECTIC SOURCES OF INSPIRATION FROM THE ARTS AND HISTORICAL FASHION, THE 21ST-CENTURY GENTLEMAN STYLES HIMSELF WITH A TIP OF HIS HAT TO THE FINE FELLOWS WHO LED THE WAY.

Who is the modern gentleman?

I CONFESS TO being an inquisitive cove, well acquainted with fellows from all cuts of jib and strata of society. I count myself as fortunate, since there is nothing as delightful as the company of a roguish gentleman, or for that matter a gentlemanly rogue. Allow me to share tales of varying height, and to present characters as colourful and manifold as whiskers on a well-groomed chin.

HE MODERN GENTLEMANS reputation is tribute to a way of life that gives expression to the highest personal standards. In the 21st century, to be a gentleman is no longer an accident of birth but a conscious decision; the decision to choose affability over surliness, discipline over disorder and consideration over churlishness. The true gentleman is a steadfast figure, enduring through history, transcending culture and class and always adapting to his time. In its current manifestation, released from a code of etiquette as suffocating as a starched collar on a summer afternoon, to be a modern gentleman is to present a distinctive personality, defined by healthy self-esteem and the ability to make the best of ones given assets in every walk of life.