We're already more than a week into "Movember," the charity initiative that puts men's facial hair on proud display, and by now you've probably spotted dudes sporting everything from peach fuzz to bristly beards. (Hey, some dudes are hairier than others.) Either way, skipping the shave is a way to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancers, so we salute the sacrifice.
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As part of the Movember mission, Wynwood's newest salon, Junior & Hatter, is partnering with Sloane Square Barbers & Shoppe for a "Stache Bash." Dudes will be able to score haircuts, hot shaves or 'stache maintenance services, and 25 percent of the salon's profits will be donated to the worthy cause.
Ahead of the November 13th event, we spoke to Junior & Hatter's stylist owners, Mario Silvestri and Andrea Battista about their new digs, moustache styles and hipster hairdos (though they hate that term).
Battista moved to Miami from Rome about six years ago, worked at several salons, got an agent and started doing hair for fashion magazines and photo spreads. He was featured in Allure last March.
Silvestri, originally from New York, has also been in Miami for six years. He worked at Contesta Rock Hair on Espanola Way (where he met Battista), then moved on to Sean Donaldson Hair before linking up with Battista.
Cultist: What brought about the Junior & Hatter concept?
Silvestri: Junior and Hatter represent a duality in character. Junior is who we are as people when we're outside and Hatter is a mischievous artist. Like Jekyll and Hyde. Owners putting their names above the door doesn't really sit with either of us. The name behind our brand is more of an idea. The decor of the salon is wood, the furniture is all reclaimed. Everything's also for sale now, we've refurbished a lot of it, it's to keep the salon looking fresh. Us coming into Wynwood was more about what's happening with this neighborhood.
Why did you decide to do this promo for Movember?
Silvestri: I think the concept is really cool. It just seems like a really cool thing, en growing out their moustache. It's a fun thing to do for a good cause. You know, why not? We're two men. The thing is we're definitely not a barber shop, we're a hair salon first and foremost.
Battista: I'd say our clientele is about 50/50 (male/female). We are coming up in the next few months with a lot of events for girls. Since we just opened and it happened to be November, the month for cancer awareness, we thought it would be a fun thing to do.
What are the hot trends in moustaches? And men's hair for that matter?
Silvestri: Moustaches are definitely taking a more WWII type of effect. A big inspiration for me right now is the movie Lawless. They were rocking those handlebar moustaches. Even the haircuts in the movie were super interesting and had a really cool vintage feel about them, but they still look really modern.
Battista: Male fashion right now is more of a manly look than it has been. It's more classic hair, parted to the side, facial hair.
Silvestri: It all started with Mr. Jon Hamm over at Mad Men. It's been going on for a few years, the dapper look with different variations.
What are your suggestions for dudes looking to grow out their moustaches who maybe never have before?
Silvestri: Well on November 13th we're having the 'Stache Bash. We're having professional barbers come in and proceeds are going towards Movember. I'd say men should grow their beard out in general and if they come on November 13th, they can have whatever shape they want shaved in. It'll be done professionally with a straight blade. They can enjoy a beer from Duvel, too, they're sponsoring the event, as is Mandarine Napoleon.
Any recommendations for people looking to change their hair for fall/winter?
Silvestri:The trend in New York is go to a little darker, like clothing. The suggestion I have for women is to go darker, it warms them up a little more. For men it's a great time to grow their hair out.
What are some other hot hair trends? Things you recommend to clients?
Silvestri: Ombre hair color has been around for awhile. It's like the LBD of hair color, and means you don't have to be a slave to the salon. There's also the concept of dip-dying like Nikki Minaj. Blonde on the top, green on the bottom, which I think is a little too aggressive.
Battista: The looks are edgy but at the same time, pastel colors, more like soft pinks. It's not like it used to be. Back in the 70s everybody looked the same, now it's very open. It's more whatever you feel like and being in this area we find a lot more inspiration.
Silvestri: Right now I don't think there's anything that's really un-trendy. If you look very '90s, if you do it right, it's on trend. If you look very '80s or '70s -- I think that regardless of what era, if it's done right it's fashionable.
Being in Wynwood, is there a hipster hair stereotype?
Battista: Our clients are not necessarily from Wynwood. Our guests really come from anywhere. It's a new area but it's easy to reach, and everybody loves coming here. To me it's the only really creative area in Miami.
Silvestri: As far as fashion, there are definitely some moustaches. The hair is always pretty cool, undone but looks effortless. With moustaches what we're seeing right now is definitely like the handlebar moustache. Most of our guests are ones we've built previously that are coming because we're here. They're extremely fashion-forward, they have a look about them that seems more effortless. With the word "hipster," I think some people could take offense.
Prices run $45 for a men's haircut, $38 for a shave (which includes hot towels, steam, oil, cleanser and scrub, warm lather and aftershave) and $16 for 'stache maintenance. The 'Stache Bash happens on November 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., but the promotion runs all the way through November 30. The salon is located at 2750 NW Third Avenue, and they're open from Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Clients can book appointments at juniorandhatter.com or by calling 305-571-8361.
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