Detroit's Own Mad Men

Madison Avenue wasn't the only place where independent ad agencies thrived back in the day – Detroit had its own version of Mad Men in the eponymous Ross Roy agency.

Ross Roy, a portrait. Actually, the portrait.

Ross Roy, who started as an automobile salesman, founded his agency in 1926 in Detroit with the Dodge Brothers Corp. as the major client.  When Dodge was acquired by Chrysler in 1927 the Ross Roy sales approach was extended to all Chrysler Corp dealers, and the agency grew with Chrysler through the 1930s and 40s specializing in training, merchandising and production of education films. During World War II it more than doubled in size producing these materials Chrysler as part of the war effort.

After the war the Ross Roy agency thrived with Chrysler as their main client, but also taking on clients such as American Steel Wool Manufacturing Co., Dana Perfume, Esquire socks, and Lake Central Airlines.  As a fan of Mad Men it's amusing to see how these types of businesses have also appeared as clients of Sterling Cooper/Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

Ross Roy Inc. occupied offices right on East Jefferson in downtown Detroit at Joseph Campau, directly across the street from Garden Court Apartments and Doctor's Hospital (or as we now know it, Staples). Wouldn't it be awesome if one of the new agencies setting up shop in town took space here?

Ross Roy Inc., once upon a time.
More cool shots here.

Ross Roy Inc. continued to grow and acquire other independent agencies in the 50s, 60s and 70s and by 1980 had billings of $191 million annually. In the late 80s they moved their offices to Bloomfield Hills and by the time they were acquired by Omnicom Group, the parent company of BBDO, they were one of the largest independent shops in the U.S.  The Ross Roy name disappeared in 2000.

Ross Roy himself passed away in 1983 at the age of 85 (so he would have been about Bert Cooper's age in the 60s).  Today, the man is a member of the pantheon of legendary Detroit businessmen.

Here at Hugh we've managed to acquire some of Ross Roy's personal effects from his estate that, not coincidentally, are perfect accessories for the Mad Man in you – an assortment of vintage cufflinks and tie bars, and a rather stellar silverplate ice bucket.

Eponymous.

They make their debut at the store Saturday at our Mad Men Pre-Party, so be sure and stop by. Not only can you own a piece of Detroit history, you can own something that's authentic Mad Man!

Classic Shaving: Straight Razors

This is part three of Hugh's look at the elements of classic shaving.

Let's not kid ourselves, the real interest in classic shaving lately has revolved around the straight razor.  It's dangerous and sexy and exciting, and if it's good enough for James Bond then why wouldn't you want to do it?  The fact that it also gives what devotees describe as the ultimate shave is simply a bonus.

A Bond Girl must have many skills.

There are multiple other reasons to jump into straight razor shaving:

- Using a single blade all but eliminates razor bumps, ingrown hairs and razorburn, problems exacerbated by multiple-blade razors. And they allow a level of precision that can be matched by no other shaving method.

- The up-front expense is larger, but you save in the long-haul: Disposable refill cartridges cost about $3 a head, and last about a week. That's $156 a year. You just paid for your straight razor, which can last for years and years with proper care.

- Disposable cartridges are not recyclable and produce a significant amount of waste.  How significant? 20 million American male shavers go through a five-pack of disposable blades every eight weeks or so. Each package weighs about two ounces. Multiply it out and you get... about ten thousand tons of waste each year.

- Giving yourself a straight razor shave requires just enough attention that it pushes mundane hassles out of your head and puts all your focus on the ritual at hand.  It's your daily moment of zen.

- A straight razor is what we like to call an "object of desire." The best ones are entirely hand-made by skilled craftspeople, and the variations and details of construction are quite fascinating.  It's really one of the most beautiful and interesting tools there is.

- Straight razor shaving is a skill. There's a learning curve, but once you've mastered it it can be a source of pride. Some might call it bragging. I do.

Hugh carries Dovo straight razors. Made in Solingen, Germany, they are among the finest available in the world.  The blades on the razors we stock are made of high-carbon steel, which allows a sharper edge, and are 5/8" half-hollow ground.

The "Classic" comes with a black cellidor handle (called "scales," also available in cream or white) and is $130.  Cellidor is an organic plastic that is warm to the touch and achieves a nice patina with use.  It's the same material used on Swiss army knives.

We also have the Dovo "Astrale" straight razor, which has an ebonywood handle as well as a spot for engraving initials. It is $175 and is an astoundingly handsome tool.

Your purchase of a straight razor at Hugh includes a bottle of paraffin oil, which you'll need to protect the blade ($15 purchased separately).  The hand-held leather strop from Streich Riemen is available for $90, and a chrome straight razor stand is $19.

There is a lot of information about the history and construction of straight razors out there - Wikipedia is a great starting point - as well as multiple guides on straight razor shaving (check out this illustrated how-to PDF). If you are remotely inclined to learn more it's pretty interesting stuff.

If you want to experience it in person, stop into Hugh. Aside from what we have in stock, we can special order other razors, strops and honing tools. We are here to make you happy - just ask!

Classic Shaving: the Double-Edged Safety Razor

This is part two of Hugh's look at the elements of classic shaving.

The double-edged safety razor is the razor your father or grandfather probably learned to shave with.  It has been around since the early 20th century, and when we think about the kind of manly shaving we see in old movies, this is the kind of razor they all used.  It provides an exceptionally close shave with minimal irritation, and is convenient, earth-friendly and economical to boot.

The primary misconception about shaving in this era of multiple-blade disposable cartridges is that a single blade can't give you a close shave.  The is actually not true. The trick to using a safety razor is proper beard prep (see yesterday's post), maintaining the blade at a 30-degree angle against the skin, and using short strokes while letting the weight of the razor do the work. You don't want to apply any additional pressure or you'll end up with razor burn.

There's a little learning curve to using a safety razor, but there was a learning curve when you began shaving in the first place.  After a couple shaves your muscle memory takes over and it all becomes second nature.  There are many helpful tutorials on YouTube that go over the basics of the double-edged safety razor - I found this one gave a good overview.

Aside from getting a close shave and looking hot while doing it. using a double-sided safety razor has other benefits.  It is much more cost effective than using expensive proprietary shaving refills - a pack of ten premium blades costs $8.50 at Hugh, and you get to use both sides of the blade.  And because there are no plastic parts, disposing a razor blade is simply returning metal to the earth. Groovy, man.

At Hugh we have a couple options for those who want to make the switch.  The high-quality Merkur razor we sell is hand-made in Solingen, Germany (the cutlery capital of the world!). It has an extra-long handle for easy handling and is nicely-weighted.  It is $44.

If you are merely curious about trying the double-edged safety razor but don't want to make a big financial commitment, we also sell the Vie-Long safety razor, made in Spain.  It is a bit lighter and the quality isn't as obvious as the Merkur, but it is only $15 (including one blade) and a great way to test the waters.

Lastly, for those of you enjoying a complicated facial hair moment, we do offer the Merkur Detailing Safety Razor.  Each end of the blade is a different size for shaving with precision, and it is $33.

Of course, there are other options available, and accessories other than the ones we stock.  Ask about them, we can easily special items.

Next up: the Straight Razor

Classic Shaving: Soaps & Brushes

Modern technology has transformed the shaving ritual to the point where "ritual" isn't even the proper word. It's really just a task at this point. But as one of the touchstones of masculinity, it seems a shame to relegate it to one of a litany of grooming "S"s (I'll assume you know the rest). 

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the elements of classic shaving, but lethal-looking razor blades and the plethora of shaving accessories out there can be intimidating. At Hugh I've waded through it all to bring you a selection of products suited to everyone from the curious to the committed.   My goal is to put a little enjoyment back into your shave without the hassle.

We're gonna spend a little time this week diving into it all, starting with ...

Shaving Soaps & Brushes

One thing every man can benefit from is switching from shaving cream in a can to a good shaving soap and brush.  It's the simplest way to improve your shave, not to mention give you a little old-school grooming cred each morning.

Hard shaving soaps remove dirt and oil from whiskers, allowing water to easily penetrate for optimal softening.  It's as simple as wetting your shaving brush and working up a lather. At Hugh we sell D.R. Harris shaving soap, either with a covered mahogany bowl ($38) or alone ($19) for use in a shaving mug (our apothecary mug is $19).

Another great thing about a shaving soap?  A single 3.5 once puck will last months and months.

Quality shaving creams in bowls or tubes are great to use with a brush too. They are good for guys who value convenience, or who have dry skin since they are rich in moisturizing agents.  Our Omega Eucalyptus Shave Cream comes in both a bowl and a tube (great for travel) and is only $8.

Using a shaving brush is key in making your perfect shave dreams come true.  A shaving brush lifts whiskers and gently exfoliates, resulting in a better shave with less irritation and fewer ingrown hairs.  A shaving brush also helps your bottom line, as it generates more lather using less soap.

Shaving brushes come in many varieties: boar hair as the baseline quality, horse hair a step up from that and badger hair is the best.  And even badger hair comes in multiple grades, ranging from coarser & less expensive to very fine and very expensive (you can spend over $100 on the best brushes). 

The badger brush I've chosen to stock at Hugh is the Vulfix Old Original Super Badger brush ($50).  It's the next-to-finest grade, providing softness and excellent absorbency, and is hand-made on the Isle of Man in the U.K.

Super Badger on the left, Horse Hair on the right.

Hugh also sells the Vie-Long Horse-hair brush from Spain ($25) which has longer bristles and is a bit stiffer/"scrubbier" than badger hair, but is also more affordable and is ethically-produced (the hair is gathered in grooming). [Caveat: this brush is backordered right now but expected in soon]

Of course I can special-order any other brushes and the lead time is generally quick.  Feel free to come in and we can discuss the nuances of animal hair.

Next up: the Double-Sided Safety Razor

Next Up at Hugh: Furniture

Hugh opened with a bang for the holidays, but the long-term view at Hugh is geared toward much more than just gift-giving. In January we got the ball rolling on the next phase of offerings at Hugh: furniture.

Hugh has a very specific inspiration - the classic, masculine style of the mid-century bachelor pad - but also a philosophical mandate to provide items of great style without costing a fortune. Finding a furniture line, then, could have been a struggle.

Fortunately, I'd worked with a wonderful company based in Toronto called Gus Modern - they provided the stunning sectional in the original Hugh "retail happening," and the cozy fireside settee in Hugh for the Holidays - and I'm working with them again.

Gus Modern excels at making upholstered furniture with real classic modern lines that embody the best of residential furniture design of the 50s and 60s.  Fantastic sofas, sectionals, chairs and ottomans form the bulk of their collection, but they also make some sensational dining and occasional tables.  And the best part? Lead times run about two weeks.

I'm also doing something a little different with floor models this time around. To keep things interesting and to show the breadth of the Gus Modern collection, there will be a speedy discounting policy.  Once an item is in the store for two calendar months it will be discounted 10%.  The next month 20%.  And the next month 30%.  Discounts stop at 30%, and this applies to upholstered furniture only.  The first discounts will kick in April 1.

There are several floor models in the store now, and we've been taking orders since they arrived.  Consider this a formal announcement: if you are looking for new furniture, come and check out Hugh!

L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour

Valentine's Day is a favorite holiday here at Hugh.  That might seem counterintuitive, considering the bachelor angle, but that part is really about the style.  Hugh is as much pro-love as it is pro-singlehood: it's all about being happy. And what makes someone happier than a brilliant Valentine's Day gift?  Here are some favorite gift selections - for guys and for girls - from our panel of experts.

The very subtle "Let's Make Out" Pillows  $99

The Moscow Vase, upcycled from an old Smirnoff bottle.
Chicks dig an earth-first kind of guy.  $14 (you supply the organic flowers)

Uber-hip and masculine Braun wristwatch.  $160

Wit & wisdom from Detroit's Bachelor Mayor, and unintentional humor
from the one who just thought he was a bachelor.  $8 each

When you care enough to shock and titillate.  $4

Miniature replica of Robert Indiana's LOVE sculpture,
for the lover AND the art lover  $76

Cuff links in sterling silver with vinyl from real Olympia Stadium seats! $165

Get to third base. Give these Pick Up Line Coasters  $13

Sophisticated romance. Vintage silverplate champagne bucket and coupes.  $85

The Big Opening

It's been just over a week since the opening party and I've only now had the chance to sit down and try to collect my thoughts. Here they are: Holy Shit.

You kids sure love a party. Best guess is over 300 folks showed up to welcome Hugh to Midtown. All I know is we went through six cases of bubbly (and three bottles of San Pellegrino) in four hours. Drunks, the lot of you. Come back soon.

Here are some photos I cribbed from Facebook and Twitter of the event, since I didn't have a chance to think about getting someone to take pics at the party.

Ted Balowski and Nick Gorga, founders of Hatch Detroit and the people
who really made this happen.  This isn't a red-eye problem by the way,
 Ted's eyes actually look like that. It's weird.

My old friends from Ann Arbor drove out, and got this pic of me with my family.
That's my mom Peg Posch in the foreground, you may remember she was my pit bull
during the Hatch competition.

Me giving thanks and extolling the importance of independent business in Detroit.
They give our neighborhoods their personalities and they rule. Support them all.

That's right, a champagne pyramid. That's Kyle pouring with me, she is awesome
and has helped me at every Hugh party since the first one. She was also a partner
in the Woodbridge Gypsy Den & Tearoom, the first runner-up in our Hatch finals.
And yes we are still friends.  Detroit people are awesome that way.

You know what was cool? Having a random photo show up on Twitter.
This was it. Thanks @southernpantry!

Jim, it's all about Hugh.

This is the view from the sales desk as I saw it, bleary-eyed by 9pm.

Let me assure you Hugh would not have happened without the help
of my #1 guy, Dennis. I really look ridiculous here but he looks nice.
Those matching boutonniers are from Lisa at Pot & Box!

There were lots of great gifts from folks, including this amazing arrangement
from Lisa at Pot & Box, a fellow Hatch Detroit semi-finalist.

It wasn't until after the party I read the card. Ain't she a peach?

There are more photos out there, I will organize them into an album on our Facebook page and you can look at them late at night when you are drunk or at work.  If you have any pictures of the Hugh opening party I would love to get them! E-mail them to me at hugh@thankhugh.com or post them on our Facebook wall or Tweet them to me @thankhugh.

And speaking of thankhugh, THANK YOU everyone for really turning out and having fun.  That is what Hugh is all about: having a stylin' good time in Detroit.