STYLE is what you make it. Be free! Be You!
FRANCESCO SUMMALATU
Man style maverick!
Just admit it. We have all had one of those haircuts that make us want to hide away in shame until it grows out and looks better. When we finally get to the point of starvation because we are too embarrassed to leave the house, we grab a wool hat and we move out. In 110 degree heat. The shame of the hat and the sweat it produces is less than the shame of the haircut!
I have had plenty of those, and have worn plenty of hats! But my beard? They don’t make coverings for beards!
OK, OK, a medical mask is there to serve a secondary purpose, but this happened before the pandemic!
I went to my barber of 14 years, only to find that he had retired! He left the shop to a young man. I decided to give him a chance and asked him to shape up my beard. Well, lopsided is a shape. Just not the shape I wanted! I left the barber shop in shame. It took me two days to even be able to look at myself in the mirror! On day three, I left the house out of sheer necessity. I saw a man in my town with a nice beard and I approached him to ask him who took care of his beard. He took one look at me and exclaimed “Wow, you need a little bit of help!” We laughed, but really inside, I cried! He told me that he takes care of his own beard, and I promise that if I had a pair of scissors, I would have asked him to help me right there on the street!
I then remembered that I had recently passed a new shop a couple of blocks from where I was. The shop was small and was filled with antique furniture. The young man setting the shop up had a particular look to him, as if he had stepped out of a different era. He was bearded and was wearing a white shirt and suspenders and probably the coolest glasses that i had ever seen. I liked the look of the shop so i decided to go there and see if there was hope for me. The barber looked at me and I pleadingly told him that I needed to have my beard regulated. He agreed. I guess that I looked so bad that he decided to take me right on the spot!
When he finished, he refused payment. I then asked if he could cut my type of hair. He look at me, puzzled, and asked “Why not?” So i made an appointment for the following week.
I was so happy with my haircut! And I gave him free reign on my heard as well. Most of my appointments were me telling him, do what you want to do! Barbers like that! When you trust them enough to let them work their magic. I always tell Francesco that he isn’t a barber, but that he is a magician.
Over these years, he has not only been the man who keeps my silver locks and beard in lone, he has become a friend and a confidant.
I really enjoy the one hour appointments. It is the best therapy. Come on folks, you know how much those hair appointments can do for your attitude. I always say the barber cuts away all of my problems and sweeps them into a big pile.
Francesco hails from the town of Mesagne, located in the Puglia region of southern Italy. He always knew that he wanted to be a barber. When he was 14 years old, his father allowed him to trim his beard. He cut his dad’s face, but his father calmly encouraged him to keep on. That gave him the boost of confidence that he needed, and the rest, they say, is history. Il BARBIERUZZO was born!
Francesco loves Bob Marley. Loves him so much that he named his first son Marley. He read some of Bob Marley’s philosophy on life and was immediately drawn to him. After hearing his music, he knew that he’d be a fan for life.
His style, according to him, is classic. I call him a barber of another era. He takes time with each client and gets to know them, He cuts each hair with precision. He uses a straight razor to shave his clients, and the hot towels and facial massage at the end of the sessions are enough to convince even the most jaded of customers!
A well put together gentleman doesn’t just look after his clothes, but also his hair and beard. Francesco is the man to help you find your style and to help you maintain it.
Francesco’s talents were displayed last year on a television program called HAIR MASTER. The show was a competition featuring young talented barbers from all over Italy. Francesco made it through to the final round where he was announced as the first runner up. I don’t think I have ever felt so proud and happy for someone!
You can find Francesco’s shop, IL BARBIERUZZO, on Viale Trieste, in the town of Sacile. (39) 0434-160-0412. Tell him the SilverGentleman sent you! He’ll know who you are talking about!