Last week the very lovely crowd at Murdock London invited me along to the launch of their new online magazine The Murdock Man. The party was conveniently located in their delightful Covent Garden store a strong armed stone’s throw from my office. A refined party on the way home will always warm my heart. Unfortunately the powers that be decided my afternoon and early evening would be spent in Clapham Junction going over the fine details of Autumn Winter 2012 with a customer. If I’m honest I’ll be glad to put this season to bed and get working on Spring Summer 2013 in a couple of weeks. So unfortunately I arrived a little late to the party, but just in time to meet Michael from AnastasiaDuck and become aquainted with the very lovely Shelly. We’re both Irish and as it turned out went to school just around the corner from each other. No doubt we have plenty of friends in common at home. 

The mulled cider flowed freely, and has rocketed up my list of suitable winter warmers. Its fruit juice, with more fruit and some spices, delicious and am sure should be available on the NHS for any malady whatsoever. Along with gorgeous mincepies and some pulled pork sandwiches my hunger pangs were also taken care of. More cider, then another traditional cure all of a Hot Toddy followed. As we all chatted merrily away, in the refined luxury of the shop. Covent Garden is Murdock’s flagship store so has the best mix of products as well as of course the barbers. 

Reading The Murdock Man, I really enjoyed the interview with David Waddington founder of one of the most entertaining venues in London, Bistrotheque , but also the etiquette to going to a proper barbers. I’ll admit I’m often intimidated going to a new barber, I’ve no rational reason why, but this really helped. Though some of the advice shouldn’t need to be printed. If you’re paying decent money to be pampered why on earth would you answer your mobile? Murdock ask you to keep phone calls to a minimum, I say turn your mobile off. It’s 45 minutes where you can totally switch off and relax. Enjoy it. 

Looking around though I could easily have been like a kid in a candy store, the books covered everything the modern man need know, and more! From hedonists guidebooks to Debrett’s Guide for the Modern Gentleman the collection almost had me wishing for the days when well meaning aunts and uncles would give you book tokens instead of cash at Christmas.  The products on offer from simple leather holdalls, (complete win in my eyes), to every possible shaving accouterment, lather and cream, were brilliant. Even better was the gift box which arrived for me this morning at home. How I managed to run out the house without opening I will never know. Just in time for Christmas, I’m told these boxes are available at John Lewis, starting at the not ridiculous £54. Not for everyday use, but isn’t time we gents allowed ourselves some quality indulgence in the bathroom. I will of course report back on how I got on with the products. 

As you can tell I’m pretty smitten with the whole Murdock set up, and I’ve only heard good things from friends who’ve availed of their services already. I’m booking in for a shave sometime soon to get everything looking pristine for the holidays. A traditional wet shave at the hand of a skilled barber is most definitely a necessary indulgence, that will leave you feeling brilliant. So if you’re in London, book an appointment. If not check out The Murdock Man for some well crafted grooming ideas and more. In fact you may even see little oul’ me, looking somewhat bedraggled it has to be said. Still it had been a long day.