Although he must by now be entirely bored with its constant repetition, London-based men’s haircutter Brent Pankhurst is said to be the coolest barber in the world. He’s the man whose Soho shop – he says it’s “part speakeasy, part gentleman’s club” – is where a real-life James Bond could pop into for a shave, a trim and perhaps even a stiff drink or two in the basement Johnnie Walker whisky lounge while he’s waiting. Pankhurst set up this sanctum of blokeishness just round the corner from Carnaby Street around three years ago (he made his name in a string of top barbershops around town, including a spell with Dunhill both at Jermyn Street and Bourdon House), which he’s made even more masculine by teaming up with British motor manufacturer Bentley, who obligingly hand-upholstered four GT-style barbers’ chairs at its factory in Crewe. Along with one of these racy, leather-clad semi-recliners, which he’s air-freighting here just for the occasion, Pankhurst is making a short visit to Hong Kong, where he’s setting up a pop-up store at Joyce on September 8-9 and 13-14. He’ll have his full range of grooming products – from shampoos and pomades to full shaving sets – for local gents to sample, while a lucky few might even be treated to a bespoken cut from the master himself.
