M.S. McClellan

The Elusive Perfect Shave – Found

It’s something that all men will do over 20,000 times each morning during their lifetime yet it damages your skin more than you can imagine and you probably never give it a thought. The Art of Shaving thinks your face deserves better.

The Art of Shaving is a unique grooming concept for the man looking for that oh so elusive perfect shave. The Art of Shaving is based on aromatherapy (that’s the ancient practice of using scents for overall wellbeing), and has taken the country by storm and become an incredible success. Personal use from employees here at M. S. McClellan supports the praise.

Started as a small boutique in New York City by Eric Malke and Myriam Zaoni in 1996 with $12,000 and a vision, The Art of Shaving has found a loyal following who thoroughly embrace their mission and philosophy of bringing back the ritual of the shave. Today, The Art of Shaving has four boutiques in New York, Dallas and Miami and over 50,000 men every year visit their stores for the Royal Treatment of shaving. Years of frustration and irritation bring men to the doors of The Art of Shaving since they are the recognized experts in the field.

The Art of Shaving is a system and as such there is a process. To those who feel time is of the essence in the morning, you will find the system only costs you a few extra minutes. Minutes that will save your face – quite literally. The process itself is three steps with a fourth optional step to be done every other day or once a week.

The Art of Shaving System

Pre Shave Oil – This first step is essential. A unique blend of oils softens the beard and set the face up for a close shave. It’s ideal for men with sensitive skin problems.

Shaving Cream – A moisturizing blend that generates a rich, lubricating lather that insures a close shave. It is best if applied with a shaving brush as it lifts the beard. The cream leaves your face smooth and moisturized.

After Shave Balm – This is considered the “king” of the Art of Shaving line. It’s superior skin care in a bottle. The balm moisturizes, soothes and refreshes the skin after shaving. It is alcohol and oil free and ideal for dry and sensitive skin.

After Shave Mask – An optional step in the system, but one that should be done at least once a week. It is the luxury product of the system and a first of its kind. Using a special mix of natural ingredients, the mask rejuvenates and purifies your skin after shaving.

The Art of Shaving has a complete line of shaving accessories including real badger tip shave brushes, razors in engraved silver plus stands. Additionally, The Art of Shaving consists of a full line of grooming products for the body, face and hair.

Writing into M. S. McClellan
July 2, 2003

Lately we have been receiving a good number of e-mails through the Advisor section on the MSM web site inquiring about sepcific goods in terms of availability, ordering and in one instance a complaint.

We certainly want to help in any way possible (as well as address your dissatisfactions), but writing through the Advisor has some problems. Specifically, your request is placed "live" on the web site and more importantly we have no return e-mail/contact information. The result has often been having an answer for you but nowhere to send the answer to. Hence your concern is unaddressed.

For your future reference, please send all inquiries about specific articles of clothing in the store or our ability to order to bob@msmcclellan.com and please, please, please make sure you give us a name, e-mail and phone so we can address your needs. You can also write your sales associate directly and their e-mail addresses are available on the Meet The Staff page on our web site.

Thank you!

Profile – Trafalgar Limited Edition Braces

September 2002
M. S. McClellan has long prided itself on offering exclusive and one of a kind articles. It is what has set us apart from the crowd. One of the items that we have offered since the early 1980’s is the Limited Edition Braces from Trafalgar. Trafalgar is the only company in the world that can produce the 100% silk limited edition fabric used in this collection.

Wearing the Limited Edition braces is without a doubt the most discreet and elegant manner of expressing one’s dash, style and sense of humor. Trafalgar has created a true collectible and wearable work of art, and many of the sold out styles created by Trafalgar are bought by collectors who pay several times their original worth.

Most of the designs come from the collections of the International Society of Bracecollectors and noted New York City haberdasher Calvin Curtis. Other sources have been used as well. From the eccentric to the whimsical and humorous, the Limited Edition Braces are an addiction to the man who loves to wear braces. And they are truly one of kind and unique.

Where it not for the persistence of Trafalgar founder Marley Hodgson to resurrect a dying art form, these braces would never have come into existence.

In the early 1970’s, Marley discovered eight disassembled 200 year old looms that had the unique ability to weave intricate patterns from delicate denier silk. Denier silk cannot be woven using today’s looms which are built for speed weaving. The looms were found in an abandoned European carriage house. The looms were originally built like fine pianos, and Hodgson had each loom re-built and refurbished over a two year period.

The looms have been housed in barns built into the homes of the artisans who actually weave the braces. It’s unusual to be sure, but it is respectful of the European family weaving tradition. It’s also due to the fact that the most skilled of the weavers can turn out only five yards of narrow silk fabric a day. (Consider that the Limited Edition Braces are made in lots of 1000 and you see the scale of the task.) This skill in weaving has been passed down from generation to generation and the looms themselves are respected as symbols of the families’ livelihood.

Unfortunately, something that is already rare and unique may become more so in the next few years. As the world is getting smaller, fewer families are taking the time to pass down the skills necessary to operate these looms. As each generation of artisan retires there are fewer young people who have the skill or inclination to carry on the tradition. So purely by default, the Trafalgar Limited Edition Braces will become even more valuable and rare.

This fall we will have some new editions come into the store.

One of the designs we will carry is the America Hurrah (pictured here) which was designed by Calvin Curtis for FDR in the 1940's. This edition is already sold out. We will have two sets at the most. It is a fitting and elegant show of force for rememberance on September 11.