3 minute read
A conversation w/ Omar de Silva
REWRITING MODERN MASCULINITY
W/ AMERICAN CREW
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Barbers have always had a unique front-row seat into the male psyche and the ever-changing notion of what it means to be a man. On the surface, the benefit of a trip to the barbershop may seem like it’s maintenance or a new look, in reality men want much more from their cut. Whether that be expressing their creative flair, experimenting with new sides of their personality or to gain a new sense of confidence, this traditionally isn’t something men have chosen to express, in fear that by taking an interest in their appearance they would be deemed ‘unmanly.’
But the year is 2022 and as modern masculinity and male mental health are at the forefront of many important conversations, it’s time to rewrite what it means to be a man. As barbers, we play an important role in a man’s individual style and, in many ways, we also act as off-the-record therapists for our clients. As such, we have a responsibility to make sure that our barbershops are safe places for men to have vulnerable conversations and express themselves creatively with haircuts and styles that represent their authentic selves, free of the archetypal stereotypes of ‘masculinity.’ In redefining masculinity in the modern age, we first need to understand what this charged word represents. Taking a glance back at its origin, courtesy of the Oxford Dictionary, masculine is defined as ‘having qualities or appearance traditionally associated with men’ followed by a toxic slew of words such as ‘macho’, ‘red-blooded’, ‘laddish’ and ‘muscular’. It’s no wonder men have felt immense pressure to hide their emotions and dismiss self-care and grooming rituals when society tells them to equate their worth with a tough surface. The traditional masculine “look” has historically been synonymous with haircuts that call for minimal upkeep, little creative expression and zero personal style. But within the realm of modern masculinity, it’s time we encourage men to embrace their unique personalities through experimental cuts, styles and colour and allow men to express themselves freely, without gendered shame. When it comes to this movement, barbers are in the perfect position to begin conversations that can make a difference. We spoke with Omar de Silva, a passionate mental health advocate and the owner of Melbourne’s Men+Co barbershop, to get his perspective on modern masculinity and how he has created a safe space for his clients to express themselves within his barbershop. CREDIT: LUKE MUNN
“As men, it can often be easier to talk about some of the trickier things when we don’t need to look them dead in the eye - having another focus point around the conversation (the haircut) can make it much easier for everyone involved and naturally lead to deeper chats.” When asked about whether barbers should be offered more training on how to broach sensitive subjects with their clients, Omar agreed wholeheartedly, revealing that during the pandemic his staff took part in a Mental Health First Aid course, an incredible initiative that we can only hope will become common practice in barbershops in the next few years. “There’s so much potential to turn the barbershop into a place of genuine social impact through simple conversations.” This is a sentiment that we at American Crew are passionate about, which is why in November of last year, we hosted the American Crew MASC., a panel discussion held in Men+Co that dissected and opened up important conversations around modern masculinity. The MASC. panel featured a line-up of renowned barbers, including 2021 All-Star winner Stephanie Pfalzgraf of Kings Domain, Gary McKenzie of Mr Meddler, Collin Allingham of Sweeney Todds, as well as special guest speaker, progressive fashion designer, Shayne Tino, who each spoke candidly on what modern masculinity meant to them. All speakers were unanimous in agreeing that the barbershop should be and is becoming a safe haven for men to be open and vulnerable, with Gary stating simply that it’s a “great place to be listening to men, really listening.” We still have a way to go as a society to rewrite masculinity and rid it of its negative roots, but it’s safe to say that the male grooming industry is making leaps and bounds towards normalising the conversation around men’s health and creating a safe place for greater self-expression. WATCH THE MASC. PANEL HERE:
MODERN MASCULINITY
CREDIT: LUKE MUNN
CREDIT: LUKE MUNN