Fellow Barber: Green Is In

Born in New York’s Downtown playground, Fellow was founded in 2006 after opening its first Barbershop – defining what is now known as “contemporary barber culture”.

Grounded in craft and timelessness, Fellow’s unmatched styling reputation became synonymous with the brand’s unmissable signature green that soon developed into a grooming product line.

Curious? Us too! We sat down with the fellow behind the brand, Sam Buffa to get to know VANITY GROUP’s inaugural US salon culture brand a little better.

How does the retail line embody the brand?

Fellow is a modern barbershop, but barbering is a time honored skill performed by craftspeople who hone and perfect their methods. Fellow, the retail line, was developed by, for and with these artisans in mind. The Fellow products are effective in taking their skills to the next level and preserving the integrity of their cuts. Fellow is the perfect embodiment of modern barbering in this respect.

One could assume Fellow is male only. Could you myth bust this for us?

Fellow is for all people. We have more and more women, people who identify as women and non-binary folks coming in to our barbershops for services. We’re seeing more pixie cuts, mullets, buzzes and fades on all people. Fellow products are designed for hair - not for one particular gender.

We love the bright packaging! Why did you choose green?

It’s inspired by the safety green color that OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) uses to identify where first aid and other safety equipment is kept. I’ve always been drawn to colors like this - neon yellow, safety orange, etc.  

If you could only wear one Fellow product for the rest of your life, which one would it be and why?

Everyday Tonic! It’s an incredibly versatile hero product. I keep one in my gym bag and one in the car to get refreshed on hot days. The scent is fresh and herbal with eucalyptus and bergamot, so it’s invigorating. It’s good for hair, face, body and scalp, so if I can only pick one, this one does the most!

What’s the biggest trend in haircare for 2021?

Treating the hair and scalp like skin, and applying the principals of skincare to the hair has been a big trend. We’re seeing more products traditionally used on the face, like masks, emerging in the hair care space.

If Fellow was a hotel, which one would it be and why?

I think Fellow would be the historic Chelsea Hotel. An iconic landmark and New York institution, the Chelsea Hotel had always been a hub for creatives and has, in many ways, functioned as a proper 'salon’.  Some of the worlds most poignant and prolific writers, musicians, thinkers and artists lived and congregated there to push boundaries and collaborate. I feel that the experience that we’re creating inside the walls of Fellow Barber leads to this kind of community for clients with vast experiences in various disciplines and industries.

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