BOYS WITH BEARDS. Photographed by Jaclyn Locke
Introduced to the beard during the cold dark months of winter, it was only a natural question to ask myself whether or not it should be seeing the sun rays of summer. For a better-informed answer, I went to the experts, the men who wear their beards so well. This series of men and their beards is a tribute to one of the best beard-wearers Kevin Naulls of the blog Dressed for Dinner, which too faithfully celebrates and speaks to bearded from around the world. We took Kevin’s love for beards and great style and ran with it: exploring the relationship between these men, their facial hair, and their spring style. Long live the beard. – Sherman
shirt: Ben Sherman. jeans: Levi’s 501. socks: Calvin Klein. shoes: Bostonian.
Kevin Naulls – Creator, Dress for Dinner Blog / Writer
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
A.A Bronson. He’s an artist from General Idea – well, he’s the only remaining living member of General Idea. It’s an art collective from the 1980s. He did all these projects that revolved around the idea of the AIDS crisis. He’s originally from Toronto, and went to York University. He’s both stylish and has a really good beard, so I would say he’s my inspiration.
How do you define your style?
I’m really into contemporary work wear. Blue collar merging with white collar. So plaid and denim, but elevated to another level. A denim jean with a cashmere lining, watchman’s caps, that sort of thing. Anything from fishermen to lumberjacks – the blue collar workers from the 1900s onwards is my thing.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
I moisturize it everyday. I brush it with a boar bristle brush, which I have in my pocket. Shampooing, conditioning, brushing everyday. It’s a lot of work – people don’t think that it is, but when you don’t take care of the beard nobody wants to kiss you. Hopefully I’ve developed a very kissable beard. That’s what I would recommend: shampoo, condition, brush.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
I don’t touch it. I’ve had a beard ‘fro for seven years. I started growing it when I was really young. I’ve always liked the aesthetic. My father never had a beard – he thought it was unclassy – but once I was able to I just kept growing it. At first it was a bit patchy, but after the first year it was a full-blow beard. I’ve probably shaved it once the whole time I’ve had it.
What does your facial hair mean to you?
Nothing and everything at once. It’s sort of almost become a security blanket. I never wanted to refer to it as that, but really it’s a comfort for me. It ages me because when I’m beardless, I look like I’m 14 when I’m actually 26.
I also think it just looks really great. There’s something really attractive about the idea of a woodsman, or an old 1900s railway worker. I’m trying to emulate that with my beard.
I have a blog: Dressed For Dinner. I started a segment called Bearded, in which I profile very prominent beards from all over the world. It’s very important that these people have personal style, because there’s a stigma attached to the beard – people think it’s something that others do if they’re lazy or don’t take care of themselves. I’ve found that isn’t true. There are lots of people from around the world that are very fashionable and take care of themselves, but also have really great beards. It’s not just really manicured beards, but full-on crazy wild growth as well. So that’s what I did, and it’s become very successful.
I don’t think I’d be known in Toronto without the blog, which kind of sucks, but at the same time it’s been really great for me. I’ve met really cool people. I’ve gone to New York and met all these people in the arts community, in the fashion world, who have all these beards, and they’re really interested in my blog. It has all just come together. Apparently it’s inspiring, which I think is very flattering and cool.
jean jacket: Levis. pants: Dockers. sweatshirt: HBC Signature. watch: Timex.
Ron Ruiz – Graphic Designer, MTV
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
Gimli, the best beard of all of Moria.
How do you define your style?
Oxblood Docs.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
I let it grow until a chick friend tells me I look homeless, and then I know it’s time to have a little trim.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
I think I would do the extreme: either keep it really short or really long. I don’t know why in the summer, though. Maybe since you’re like, gross and sweaty already, why not have a gross and sweaty beard?
What does your facial hair mean to you?
I’m the only one of my brothers that can grow a beard. I’m the only one who’s ever done it. That’s a distinction. It’s an easy way to be identified, since I have a twin.
shirt: Ralph Lauren. jeans: Levi’s 511. shoes: Converse.
Nick Fox – Graphic Designer / Artist
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
Steve [Meyers]. [laughs] I’ve just always had facial hair because I look like a twelve-year-old child without it. I looked really young, and I got sick of being treated like that. I’m also lazy. It’s an easier lifestyle. Shaving sucks because of regrowth.
How do you define your style?
I’m inspired by the British – the Mods, those kinds of people. I’m from Australia; that’s one of the reasons why. We’re a Commonwealth colony and we look more towards London for inspiration since we’re not near North America. It looks smart: just a suit, but with edge. I feel like London fashion is very much just taking something and wearing it out a bit. It’s a grimy city, so it looks like they actually live in what they wear. It’s about not being too precious and too controlled. Just being natural, and letting yourself out a bit.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
I just comb it down, or else you get these random hairs that stick out. I just try to keep the shape, making sure it doesn’t come out too much at the bottom because it makes your head look fat.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
In the winter I grow it out a bit more but keep the sides short. In the spring I do it a bit shorter – like a buzz. Any shorter though, and it gets prickly underneath.
What does your facial hair mean to you?
I don’t know. It gives a look that’s kind of… I don’t want to say rugged, but it’s more honest. This way you’re not so businesslike.
shirt: J. Lindeberg.
Jano Badovinac – Industrial Designer, Fugitive Glue
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
The inspiration for the mustache is my great grandfather. He was this Czech guy, also named Jano. He had this badass full-on major ‘stache; it was cool. He had, like, a doo-rag for your mustache. It looked like a stocking and it would fit over your mustache and go behind your ears, so it would keep it all flat and stuff. His was long, like a walrus; though mine is a bit shorter.
In terms of iconic beards I would say Al Pacino in Serpico. It’s a huge one. He’s got mad style in that movie, too. The other one would be Kurt Russell in The Thing. No one new is rocking a beard well. I’m not really feeling it.
How do you define your style?
Functional with a twist, I guess. In terms of the pants I wear to work and stuff, that’s functional. I’m wearing a handkerchief today, but that’s just because my neck gets cold when I’m riding my bike. I believe in pops of colour and not taking yourself too seriously.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
One of the main tricks to maintaining a beard is having a good neckline. You don’t want it coming down to the Adam’s apple. It looks scruffy; neck beards are for hicks. You have to trim the neckline. It’s the most important part, though most guys neglect that.
Clippers are also good. For the ‘stache I use a mustache wax. I get it at Toronto Barber and Beauty Supply at Bay and Dundas. I just flick it in in the morning, and it’s good to go. It washes out at night when I take a shower, but I play basketball with it and it lasts. It’s super durable and windproof.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
I usually keep it shorter in the summertime because of the temperature. It just looks cleaner. Though there is something to be said about a nice blond beard when I’m chillin’ by the ocean all summer. It’s a surf look, which is cool. Sun and saltwater makes my beard and my hair go blonde; I look like a totally different person. But the last couple of summers I’ve cut the beard off and left the mustache just because it’s warmer.
What does your facial hair mean to you?
I’ve always done something with my facial hair. It’s on and off depending on the season, but I’ve actually kept the ‘stache for the last couple of years. Because of its nature it’s easy to think that it can overwrite style, but surprisingly it goes with everything.
A beard is so much easier, ‘cause shaving just sucks. I’m the type of guy who likes keeping it clean if I’m shaving everyday. A two-day growth is cool, but a one-day growth isn’t. With a beard it’s more constant. You don’t have to stress about it, like worrying about what you might look like if an unexpected sleepover comes up.
sweater: Ralph Lauren. shirt: Ralph Lauren. jeans: Levi’s 501.
Dave Colangelo – Artist / Academic
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
There are lots of people, but I’ll just pick one – Constantine Brancusi. He’s an incredible sculptor, and if you’ve ever seen a picture of him you would know.
How do you define your style?
If Woody Allen was a lumberjack, that would be me. Woody Allen meets lumberjack.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
My approach to my beard is hands-off. I just let it grow. I don’t really trim it at all unless it gets too long; then it’s with a pair of scissors. Generally I keep it really long.
When you talk about custom, bespoke tailoring, the same principle can be applied to facial hair. There’s nothing more bespoke than you own beard, letting it grow, seeing what comes out and being okay with that. That’s the key. It’s how I deal with it, and I don’t really fuss with it.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
It’s kind of a year-round thing. It’s good in the winter because it’s kind of like having a toque on your face – one that fits you perfectly. I ride my bike around a lot, so it’s nice to have that in the winter. It’s actually less upkeep if you have a beard. If you don’t moisturize, you don’t have to trim, et cetera.
What does your facial hair mean to you?
Well I’ve had it for quite some time now, so it’s part of my identity. It’d be pretty shocking for people if I shaved my beard. For me, it’s about that custom face toque, more warmth, less work.
It’s also about putting everything out there. There aren’t a lot of things that I think men can add on or subtract, as women can with lipstick and eyeliner. With men, this is the one thing you can do. The nice thing about it is the naturalness of it, too – you grow it naturally. It’s you in your natural state. Only when you shave do you intervene with it.
sweater: J Lindeberg. jeans: J Lindeberg.
Brandon Titaro – Photographer
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
My facial hair inspiration is probably my brother, because I’m envious of his ability to grow an actual beard properly. I like scruff – I never shave to the skin; I always have a little bit of a beard. It just looks more grown up or adult, but still laid lack.
How do you define your style?
I buy a lot of pieces that I’ve educated myself on. Before I go to a store and buy something, I research it, or see it on a blog or somewhere that I like. That way I know I want it. I also buy a lot of on-a-whim stuff in store that I know will only carry high-end pieces that I’ll be able to mix with casual, seasonal things. I spend far too much money on that, for sure.
I’m more of a high-end, luxury goods person but you can’t tell that it is. I’m a sucker for tailoring and quality, and that’s what wins me over; not necessarily good style. If it’s classic and made really well, I’ll lean more towards that.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
Scrub. I’ve found in doing that it helps most of the skin underneath, so I never shave to the skin – just an electric razor.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
I probably have a closer shave than usual in the winter because it’s so cold and the creams makes the skin look better that way. In the summer, I just let it grow until I think it’s getting too long. I find that I sweat a lot more in warmer weather and my skin gets kind of oily, so I don’t want to get in there with a lot of creams and such that would irritate the skin.
What does your facial hair mean to you?
A lot! I have had a few times where I’ve had to shave completely down, and it scares me – I’m like, “what did I just do? It needs to come back right now.” My profession is pretty casual and laid-back, and most people do have a bit of facial hair.
If anything, I think people are envious of the fact that I can pull off the beard. A few of my friends who are blond can’t pull it off, and they understand why, but they’re still jealous they can’t do it. It’s more of a street-chic look, but when maintained well I think it can be classy. It’s sexy to have a little stubble. Being young too I think it makes me seem older – people don’t expect me to be the age I actually am. Whereas if I had shaved, I may look a lot younger and people may not take me seriously enough.
jacket: J Lindeberg. t shirt: Dark Shadow by Rick Owens. jeans: Levi’s 511.
Steve Myers – Photographer / Owner, Light&Hevvy Studio
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
Not to be cheesy, but my father. He’s always had this huge gnarly beard. He started growing it in grade 8. I’ve always found that amazing – I was like, “that’s quite a feat, having a full beard at grade 8.” I guess I found it manly. That made me want one, so I’ve always had facial hair as a result. I’ve become used to it.
I wouldn’t say there’s anyone celebrity wise. I’m not really inspired by too many people in that way, but family members for sure. We’ve got a long history of sailors and the military.
How do you define your style?
On a good day, minimalist. Other than that, I’m just looking to be comfortable. I wouldn’t necessarily say youth on its own, but I’m trying to hold onto that. So whatever’s fun and comfortable.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
I just leave it alone. I let it be. It does its own thing; it grows quickly and it’s a part of me. I like to trim it and keep it clean when necessary, but other than that I like it unruly.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
It depends on temperature. Usually in the summer I’ll just shave it to a mustache. It gets pretty hot. In the winter I’ll definitely a full beard.
What does your facial hair mean to you?
For me it’s comfort. It’s knowing that I can do whatever I want; knowing that there’s freedom in defining how I look. I would never work a job where they’ll tell me to shave my facial hair. I wouldn’t say it’s a safety blanket, but there’s some form of freedom in having control.
shirt: Ralph Lauren. watch: Timex.
Fraser Abe – Writer
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
I don’t think I’ve ever really thought about growing the beard as a result of being inspired by somebody. I was joking with them earlier and I was going to say Wolverine, just because I thought that’d be funny. I don’t have a hipster response like A.A. Bronson. I just grew one ‘cause I thought it looked good. I look a lot less young with one.
How do you define your style?
I like button-up shirts. That’s pretty much all I wear: collared button-up shirts. I only wear jeans, or jorts [jean shorts] in the summer. Button-up shirts are a lot more forgiving than wearing a T-shirt, so I have a jacket to cover it up. A button-up shirt can cover up man tits and a gut more easily. As for my personal style, I don’t want to say that I dress like a hipster, ‘cause I don’t.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
Not giving a shit. Just letting it run wild and free, then when it gets gross take a trimmer to it. I don’t put lotions in it or anything. I shampoo it so it doesn’t stink, and trim it when it gets too long.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
I find it more annoying to have it in the winter actually. When you’re walking around, even when you breathe through your mouth, condensation sits above your top lip and it gets disgusting and frosty. In the summer I don’t find the beard makes me that much hotter, so it stays the same length.
What does your facial hair mean to you?
It just represents a simpler time, when men were men. [laughs] It means that I have a chin. I found this out when I shaved it off at Christmastime – my grandmother f’n hates it, so I got rid of it.
jacket: Surface to Air. t shirt: Levi’s. jeans: Spurr.
Edward Keeble - Designer
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
Denis Liretts. Google him; he’s an art director. He’s got a big beard – probably the best beard you will ever see.
How do you define your style?
Whatever’s around and comfortable. It’s certainly casual, but it’s mostly a matter of convenience.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
I have a beard trimmer. That’s it.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
You don’t! Anyone who wears a beard between May and September is a fool. A beard should be seasonal. It’s meant to protect you from the elements, not worn as just some aesthetic device. If you start growing your beard before September, you’re making a mistake. If you keep it after May 1st, you’re also making a mistake.
What does your facial hair mean to you?
It’s fairly transient so I have a very casual relationship with it. It comes and goes; it’s seasonal. It’s periodic.
shirt: J Lindeberg. pants: Levi’s. shoes: Uncle Florian.
Brent Marson - Production Assistant
Who is your facial hair inspiration?
I would probably have to say my father. He had facial hair when he was my age, and I saw this gnarly photo of him and my mom. He had this huge beard and I was like, “okay, that’s kind of cool.” So that’s probably where I get the beard from.
How do you define your style?
Prep meets indie rock. I don’t know if that’s actually true, but that’s how I see it.
What are your tricks to maintaining your facial hair?
Scrubbing – constant scrubbing, brushing, trimming. My hair is a little bit thicker, so it curls when I wake up in the morning. Sometimes it curls into itself, so I have to brush it to make it look cool. I’ve even brought a special brush, so it looks a little thicker.
How do you transition your winter beard into a spring summer look?
Just having it shorter. I still shave my neck, but come wintertime I think I just let it grow a little longer for that added warmth. Come summer or springtime though, I have it a lot shorter and it’s a little bit more well-kept. I won’t let a couple whiskers go here or there; I will trim it up usually.
What does your facial hair mean to you?
My facial hair almost helps define who I am. When I don’t have it, I look into the mirror and I almost look like this little kid. It doesn’t feel right. With the full beard, I like what I see. That definitely gives me confidence. I like what the beard portrays; I go out into the world, and I feel good.
Editor: Christopher Sherman / Photographer: Jaclyn Locke / Photographer Assistant: Riley Stewart / Stylist: Trisha Martin / Stylist Assistant: Naomi Blackman / Hair & Make Up: Emma Sherman.
