Geo. F. Trumper

The last week has been a blurry smudge of nervous excitement, apprehension and anxiety for me. A few weeks back I got a new job and since then I’ve been edging obliviously towards my last day with my current employers whom I’ve worked for over three years. A lot has happened during that time (not least picking up the confidence to write this blog) and the folk I have worked with have been an enormous source of inspiration, knowledge and hangovers for me. Yesterday was my last day there and being the fine chaps that they are, they presented me with an invitation for a traditional wet-shave with hot towels at one of London’s finest (and oldest) West-End barbers.

Geo. F. Trumper is world-renowned as the shaving authority for discerning gentlemen. It has been been taking care of a chap’s grooming and perfumery needs since 1875 and I keep having some rather splendid visions of the curious plethora of Victorian gents that would have frequented one of their two shops each day.

For me though, it was the effortlessly stylish branding and packaging that made my invitation so special. Real thought has been put into the envelope (which incidentally came inside a protective hessian drawstring bag); there was the textured heavyweight stock in off-white and the etched logo in a rich red serif font. The whole package feels reassuringly individual and unique – perhaps a nod to the quality of the heritage and service they provide and are so proud of.

I love the fact that there are people who are still being trained, making a living and feeling proud of having a career in something so skilled as barbery. I’ve never had a hot-towel shave, but I just know it’s going to be exhilarating and I ‘ve resolutely decided to wear my morning suit and perhaps have a quick absinthe beforehand. So when I took my £2.99 bag of razors out of the cupboard this morning, I smiled and the word ‘thanks’ came into my head quite clearly and sharply.