Newly opened Prague barber’s shop aims to recreate atmosphere of inter-war period

Photo: www.thomasbarbershop.cz

What is being called the first classic barber’s shop in Prague has just opened its doors around five minutes’ walk from Wenceslas Square. Its owner says the aim is to recreate the atmosphere of a barbershop from Czechoslovakia’s inter-war First Republic, and provide the modern gentleman with a luxurious experience in a masculine environment.

Photo: www.thomasbarbershop.cz
At the freshly opened Thomas’s Barbershop near the centre of Prague, owner Tomáš Kožíšek shows me the hot towels and special lotion he uses to prepare customers for the perfect shave. Now in his early 40s, Kožíšek says he’s dreamt of opening such an old-school establishment for a very long time.

“I did my training in 1986 in the state barber’s school Hygie. I was taught by old barbers who remembered the First Republic, and the era when there was at least one barber’s or hairdresser’s on every street – mostly there were barbers. They taught me a lot and told me stories about the history of the profession, and that interested me a lot.”

Photo: www.thomasbarbershop.cz
Thomas’s Barbershop tries to recreate the atmosphere of such places in inter-war Czechoslovakia. But even though they were very common in those days, they weren’t for everybody.

“It was never the case that every man could afford it. But it was a service that people were used to. Clerks and people who worked in banks and insurance companies and state bodies were in the habit of going to a barber’s for a shave. I don’t think they went ever day, but once or twice a week. They had the contour of their beards touched up on a Monday or Friday, or on some particular occasion. Their hair was usually kept in a demanding short style and they also had that attended to. They were simply used to the service.”

Photo: www.thomasbarbershop.cz
The cut-throat razors used at the luxurious new salon are not sharpened on a strop, but are made to hold disposable blades that are used only once. Another modern touch is flat-screen TVs tuned to a sports channel. Tomáš Kožíšek says his aim is to create an environment where the modern gentleman is at home, and though its website says “for men only”, women are not barred.

“Women are important to us, as they take an interest in their partner’s appearance. Today a couple of women called me looking to buy gift vouchers for a shave for their husbands. I’m not saying women aren’t allowed, but the service is for men only. Women have enough services of their own!”

Photo: www.thomasbarbershop.cz
As for the prices, a shave cost will cost you nearly CZK 500 or USD 25, which seems like quite a lot by local standards. Kožíšek says it is meant more as an occasional treat than a daily service, adding that he himself has always paid at least that much at comparable barbershops abroad.

“Because it’s the only service, I want to offer customers the very best. I import products from the oldest barber’s in England, Truefitt and Hill on St James’s Street in London. We also have the best quality steel razor blades from Japan. Our outgoings are high, and I give the customer the best. That has to be reflected in the price.”