Mr. Who: Keeping alive a masculine tradition

Some say that a traditional barber should maintain the traditions and remain unchanged but Marco Bau, founder of the Mr. Who Barbershop decided to challenge this through his one-on-one, custom-tailored self-care experience for men. His vision is to blend it into the conventional “beauty culture”. 

Born in Ventimiglia, passionate Italian entrepreneur Marco Bau brought alive a unique barbershop (Mr. Who) in December 2019. 

He combines artisanal and traditional services with the luxury environment of the Principality of Monaco.

Traditionally speaking, a barber is a person whose occupation is mainly to cut, dress, groom, style, and shave men’s and boys’ hair or beards. A barber’s place of work is known as a “barbershop”.

How did the idea come to open a barbershop?

“I have worked in the “unisex” hairdresser field for 22 years; however, over the last six years, I have decided to dive completely into the male field, since I noticed that men do not truly have a space dedicated entirely to them. 

It seemed to me that men have always had to share this personal space with women ending up not feeling at ease,” – continues Marco. – “Moreover, another issue has been that the traditional barber has remained old-fashioned, not in alignment with the current trends. 

This is the reason why I chose this path, opening barbershops to provide high-quality services to a less spread audience.”

Historically, all hairdressers were considered barbers. In the 20th century, the profession of cosmetology branched off from barbering, and today hairdressers may be licensed as either barbers or cosmetologists. 

Interestingly, in the early 1900s an alternative word for barber, “chirotonsor”, came into use in the U.S.

In Australia, during the mid to late 20th century, the official term for a barber was men’s hairdresser; the term barber was only a popular title for men’s hairdressers.

Was there anyone in your family before you, who was a barber or hairdresser?

“I have to say that my father was also a barber; this was an asset for me in understanding how different it is to have a fully dedicated space.”

One can definitely feel pampered at Mr. Who’s, but do you think men in Monaco have a culture for this ancient shaving ritual?

“I believe that the shaving culture is not yet fully developed in Monaco and I would like to contribute to its expansion and progression,” – concludes Marco.

Why Monaco and not Italy?

“I believe that Monaco is the expression of luxury, and my artisanal and accurate service with strong attention to detail ismore appreciated in a luxury environment.”

The barber’s trade has a long history, razors have been found among relics of the Bronze Age (around 3500 BC) in Egypt. The first barbering services were performed by Egyptians in 5000 B.C. with instruments they had made from oyster shells or sharpened flint.

In ancient Egyptian culture, barbers were highly respected individuals. Priests and men of medicine are the earliest recorded examples of barbers. In addition, the art of barbering played a significant role across continents. Mayan, Aztec, Iroquois, Norse, and Mongolian cultures utilised the art of shaving as a way to distinguish roles in society and wartime.

Barbering was introduced to Rome by the Greek colonies in Sicily in 296 BC, and barbershops quickly became very popular centres for daily news and gossip. A morning visit to the tonsor (Latin word meaning the person who is doing the “clipping” or “shearing”) became a part of the daily routine, as important as the visit to the public baths, and a young man’s first shave was considered an essential part of his coming of age ceremony. 

Starting from the Middle Ages, barbers were known as barber surgeons and they also performed surgery and dentistry. With the development of safety razors and the decreasing prevalence of beards in Anglophonic, English speaking cultures, most barbers now specialise in cutting men’s scalp hair as opposed to facial hair.

What makes your profession and passion so special?

“First of all, it is a 360-degree form of art: it is not about cutting hair or shaving, but about making the other person feel at ease and delighted. This is the most important feature of my job. 

It is linked to giving an expressive shape by combining contours, volumes and, if desired, colours which create together harmonies to enhance the uniqueness of each client. In explaining my job, I compare it to sculpting, something that I love doing, allowing my client to feel comfortable with themselves.”

In brief, Mr. Who is a barbershop dedicated to those who appreciate caring for themselves and want to find the space and time for this type of self-care.

What elements do you need to provide the ultimate barber experience?

“I work constantly to create an experience for my clients; the elements that come to my mind are professionalism and experience. It is about an artisanal tailored-made work based on understanding the needs and the study of physiognomy. 

The focus is putting the client at ease, making him feel comfortable, offering him dedicated playlist music, perfumes, and massages whereby he can fully relax and enjoy the time he had committed to himself,” – says Marco.

Barbershops are also places of social interaction and public discourse.

Why do you limit the space to one guest at a time?

“I believe fully in the customer experience. You can have a unique ritual shaving experience in my barbershop which is possible only with a custom-dedicated service. I believe limiting space to one guest means having the right focus and attention on that specific client I am taking care of.”

Do you think it is important for your guests to be listened to and to offer them the opportunity to share privately? 

“Yes. Being in a private environment allows my guests to completely relax. During the treatments, they often open up and share their thoughts, problems, and ideas with me. It is like a good old-fashioned chat based on trust and complete discretion.”

Why do you think men hesitate in general to get treatments like women, and what would your message be for them?

“This is based on both cultural and social variables. Generally, I perceive there is a kind of shame among men concerning the overall barbershop experience. 

Indeed, the beautician is directly linked to women, both as a working activity and as a client and this restrains men from doing something similar. This is mainly because “beauty culture” is traditionally associated with women, on how they have to appear, while men have to present themselves for who they are. 

Today’s new generations are more open to taking care of themselves. I believe that if some beauticians would be men, they would offer more treatments to men as well.”

What is the ratio between beard and beardless guests? 

“While men with beards are more likely to visit a barber, I would say around 30% of my guests are beardless.”

Tell us more about the mobile barber service.

“I’m available for luxury mobile services in private apartments or hotels in Monaco and the nearby cities. Furthermore, when I go to someone’s home, my goal is to recreate the same service I have in my shop, including for example warm towels for shaving.”

How do men find out about you and your services, through personal recommendations or some other way?

“The website has a strong presence in the digital local market in Monaco and France. The other channel is through word of mouth and collaborations with luxury hotels in Monaco.”

What is your drive in your profession?

“First of all, to make the client feel better; it is important for me that the client is at ease, enabling him to handle his hair ordinarily, which must not be taken for granted. 

More than this, my job is my passion; I love researching for details and creating volumes,” – says Marco with Italian pride in his heart.

What is your advice for men who like to keep it simple and quick in terms of getting ready daily?

“My advice is to keep a routine, a regular one from 3 to 5 times per week, with the maximum combination of specific products. 

My job is about this: tailored-made haircut to allow the client an easy and well-kept maintenance of his look. And when it overtakes some limits, it is my turn to intervene.”

Marco Bau is a living experience of how turning an old-fashioned profession into an innovative, unique service can become a passion pursued with excellence. 

Marco provides not only his custom-tailored barber services but also his passion for listening, caring, and attention to anyone wanting more than a good cut.