The Man Behind the Moustache By Rex A.C. Silver

From kitchen scientist - to the world’s leading brand synonymous with Fancy Moustaches and Epic Beards that now, supplies to over 50 countries around the globe. Richie Finney, a selfproclaimed former “Bum”, has taken his men’s product range CAPTAIN FAWCETT to the high seas of the International Men’s Grooming Market with tremendous success.

Hardly a “Bum”, his humour is next level, Richie was a renowned boom operator and sound guy in the film industry and worked on a slew of big screen hits, Memphis Belle with Robert Downey Jr and Billy Elliot. He loves to talk himself down and underplay his successes but there’s no hiding his BIG personality. His energy and passion for life and his businesses and charity work, at 65 years of age, is infectious. He’s one of these people that lifts the room, and his quick wit keeps you on your toes.

Richie started out making his own private Moustache Wax just for himself over 30 years ago. “Six small pots at a time, ingredients melted together in a Baked Bean tin in a saucepan of water over the gas stove top with a set of pliers to hold the hot tin. I would put the wax in old camera roll canisters, if you’re too young to know what they are, think Kinder Egg canister. These would last me several months and I never thought more of it”, he says.

Until one day, Richie’s wife, who was a top film industry make-up artist, asked if she could use some in her kit to take on set to work.

The wax was a huge hit, The Hobbit, the film she was working on went on to win 6 Oscars and demand for Richie’s wax began. That was 12 years ago. Now CAPTAIN FAWCETT supplies all thing men’s grooming to many film sets including The Grand Budapest Hotel which sports some great Moustaches and Beards.

“It all happened organically,” Richie explains, “and I’m very grateful for that because we had time to take each step well and we only had to do it once. From the packaging and imagining of the logo and labels, through to the ingredients and formulas we had some amazing friends all come in at the right time and some by complete chance. I first met Iain Crockart, co-founder of CAPTAIN FAWCETT, on an off-road motorcycle adventure in Cambodia. He has always looked after the design and aesthetics of the brand as creative director. It just happens that his wife Lou is an aromatherapist, so it all came together perfectly. Lou has created many of our fragrances. I would like to point out, and this is very important to us, all our Moustache Waxes, Beard Balms and Beard Oils are all still developed, manufactured, and made in house. We don’t outsource those products to big production companies, we are very proud of that.”

“Beards are still so on trend, they are not going away, so it was a natural progression to move into from moustache wax to include beard products and so on. We now have all things shaving, bath products, soaps, moisturizers and skin exfoliators and the range is growing!”

Captain Fawcett also collaborates with others for instance, they produce the Signature Series Barberism range with New York born barber educator Sid Sottung and The Million Dollar Beard Oil with Australia’s own Jimmy Niggles (Scott Maggs) famous for raising 1m for the charity Beard Season in awareness for melanoma cancer in men before having his epic beard shaved off.

THE CAPTAIN FAWCETT EMPORIUM

“We have, to my knowledge, the biggest Barber Museum in the world. 9000 square feet. We have over 500 shaving mugs for instance. Some of these you could just literally pick up by the load at a thrift shop for just a few cents and then there’s solid silver one from the 1880s. And others that were around £500 or £600 each.”

“It’s the same with the razors. The oldest razor on board dates from 1650, and it’s actually got ‘Cutlass’ engraved on the blade. It’s one of the finest examples there is! Then there are the Japanese razors of course. They’re marvellous, made in exactly the same way that they made those beautiful samurai swords.”

“We have vintage motorbikes too, a 1937 BSA and a 1941 Indian. We don’t have a barbershop per se, but we do have several barbershop tableaux. For instance, you can walk through a replica barbershop from the 1880s, complete with authentic fit out and tools etc. But I won’t give too much away; everyone should take the online 360 degree virtual tour and experience it all for themselves on our website.”

Like I said it’s hard to get Richie to talk himself up on his successes, but I did some research and CAPTAIN FAWCETT has indeed won numerous awards not only for the range of products but specifically for the amazing fragrances of the Eau De Perfumes. few years back. It started out small and every year has grown in size and number of riders, and also in their ability to raise money for charitable causes.

“This will be our sixth year. So far, we’ve raised £86,000, which is not an inconsiderable amount! The first year it helped the Lions Barber Collective, a charity started by Tom Chapman in the UK. They deal specifically with men’s mental health, as we know in the UK the biggest killer of men under 45 is suicide. (Also, here in Australia)

In Barbershops, as you know, people talk about all kinds of things they may not talk about to many other people. They’re a safe space so men can open up. The close relationship with their barber is unique, different to talking to family, friends and colleagues. Barbers see you regularly and can often tell if you’re not really quite your normal self. So that’s the opportunity for them to offer a friendly listening ear by also support. It all ties in. So, the Lions Barber Collective set up a training program specifically for Barbers, which has really, really helped here.

Fast forward to now and with Barbers/Riders coming from all over the UK and Europe to participate in Barbersride, we have chosen to ride for the brilliant children’s charity Make a Wish. Do join us!”

With Barber Shows kicking off here again, you will no doubt see Richie as he loves to support the industry around the globe and before COVID, frequently visited us here, there is also talk of BarbersRide here in Australia, if you are interested, reach out to Richie through the CAPTAIN FAWCETT website.

@captainfawcett

www.captainfwcett.com