Toronto´s Original Grooming Barber

As well as a profusion of fashion designers and brands, Toronto Men´s Fashion Week (TOM*) also had several hair and beauty representatives on-site such as Vasanti cosmetics, who ensured all the models (and TOM*) staff looked runway perfect with their range of skin care and cosmetics. The ´Brighten Up! ´ facial rejuvenation scrub in the gift packs were excellent to keep the journalists looking fresh faced after the third day of runway shows, interviews and of course parties.

The international ´Grand-Homme´ of male hair grooming, American Crew were on hand through-out the week-long event in their capacity as official sponsor. Classically cutting-edge branding and imagery reminded us of the versatility of the brand and the many options we had available for a good hair day (without the barber). Well stocked gift sets containing power cleanser style remover, daily conditioner, 3-in-1 wash and styling gels were wrapped up between the infamous ´Forming Cream´ and ´Fiber´ samples which were gratefully received.

The after show hospitality area allowed an on-site taste of Original grooming. A pop-up traditional barbers styling centre complete with vintage barber’s chair (and full range of American Crew products) kept the fashion folk looking suitable slick and styled well into the night.

Original Grooming is the enterprise of businessman and barber Jason Culala. Located in downtown Toronto, in Richmond Street West, OGX is ´a pioneering barbers salon devoted to men and male grooming´. Knowledge, craft and detail fuse together here to allow their clients the ultimate city styling experience. From modern haircuts and colour options to straight razor shaves and beard maintenance with several skin treatments also on hand (and face) all your requirements can be met here.

In order to experience the brand and philosophy in action, Jason booked me in with Tash L for an afternoon treatment. After a week of travelling and working the hot towel toning facial and (amazing) paraffin wax hand treatment almost sent me to sleep before I had my hair cut. An excellent hostess, Tash brought me back round again by telling me about how she came to be in Toronto (Did you know 40% of Torontonians´ are not from Toronto?) after leaving the Philippines and how she is taking official courses in sign-language to engage with the local hearing-impaired community.

A shampoo and conditioning treatment then led me into the main salon, clad with retro chairs and vintage-retro artwork and images adorning the spacious enclosure of this artisanal space. A traditional clipper and scissor / comb graduated cut re-installed my hair and my confidence to its shining glory while Tash told me where was good to go ´downtown´ over a coffee.

After thanking the staff for their attention (and the result) I took my map and headed off to explore Toronto on my only day off, looking as good as I felt after a week of fashion following.