Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Current Occupation?
Barber and Archivist
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Which era influences your style the most?
My fascination lies in the era of Vaudeville. It was sparked in college when a professor brought in some early 1900’s Jazz & Blues recordings; they blew me away.
It was a curious time (approx. 1881-1932) when live entertainment was the primary form of entertainment– there was NO radio or television, and talking pictures wouldn’t take off until 1927!
Where was your first job?
The Metropolitan Opera—I sang in the children’s chorus when I was 9 years old. I performed in Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Ghosts of Versailles, and any other with children in them. I did that until my voice dropped.
Where were you coming from wearing those boots in the photograph above?
I rode my bike from Queens into Manhattan that late November day. I reserve those boots for long bicycle rides and equestrian moments.
How has your style evolved the most?
I buy my own fabric in Manhattan, but have most of my suits custom made. However, when you start to acquire old weekend and leisure wear you know you’ve become an eccentric…
 Whose style has influenced your own?
I grew up watching a lot of early MGM musicals with my father– especially Gene Kelly. I always thought he was as dashing as Fred Astaire. He liked to put his stamp into the floor when he moved as opposed to Fred’s weightless dancing.
I love old comedies as well, anything Neil Simon, Marx Bros, or Woody Allen related.
Is it challenging to work in radio at this point in time?
Daily reads?
I’m currently reading a biography on Will Rogers; a great monologist, comedian, and cowboy. He lived in my part of Queens for a nice chunk of time.
Where are you most visually inspired?
Inside of my apartment– my bathroom literally looks like an old barber museum.
What’s your grooming regimen like?
Ha! I’m a barber, I work with skin tonics all day– I never wear cologne. I do find a lot of old barbering tools and tonics; I’ll go to any antique fair I come across. Grooming would be a whole other article! (that sounds like a great idea, stay tuned…)
Never without?
A hat or a cap when I’m outdoors… and boxers, always boxers.
Never caught wearing…?
Jeans– I haven’t owned a pair of jeans since I was 19.
Do you use shoe trees?
I have old and modern shoe trees; they both work without batteries.
Do your tattoos influence how you build your daily look?
I never consider my tattoos when getting dressed, they’re part of me. My friends in middle school would have all these lame pictures of blondes and fast cars posted on their wall, I would hang up the girls with tattoos.
People say tattoos aren’t ‘old school’, but they were surprisingly huge during the 1890’s. A lot of the middle and upper class even sported them.
The sideshow performers would avoid getting their hands and necks done though to blend in a bit more with society. They also didn’t want to give away their bread and butter by revealing their adorned skin for free..
borse
January 25, 2012 at 3:05 pm
very classic look. i like it
JANAKAT
January 25, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Great interview….Thanks
FashionUm
January 25, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Sarto! thank you for this interview :)
http://www.FashionUm.com
Show Your Outfit!
Elena
January 25, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Awesome style and very interesting!
http://www.gossipdress.com/blog
Rebecca
January 25, 2012 at 3:21 pm
A salute to Mr. Haar for having such a unique personal style. Great look and fun post!
Makaga
January 25, 2012 at 3:30 pm
Way to go, Michael! Looking forward to seeing you when you get back into town.
Domonique
January 25, 2012 at 3:32 pm
This guy is seriously killer!His style and take on style is in my eyes perfection!
http://lilylovelock.blogspot.com/
x
Johnny
January 25, 2012 at 3:41 pm
I really dig his style and attitude but on some level he makes me wonder whether he was born in the wrong era
Stylosophism
January 25, 2012 at 3:42 pm
His mustache… so cool and perfect with that big tattoo.
In the last picture he seems a Toulouse-Lautrec character
http://www.stylosophism.com
William Makolle
January 25, 2012 at 3:43 pm
OMG! So vintage and so chic! I’d like to meet people like his in the street! I just love it! :)
http://exaltthearts.blogspot.com/
Marcel Da Chump
January 25, 2012 at 3:51 pm
I like his style. If I may, I’d like to call it: Sartorial Steampunk.
Sophie
January 25, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Hah, funny his last name is Haar since he’s a barber. Haar means hair in Dutch ;)
irene
January 25, 2012 at 3:56 pm
interesting.
http://ontomywardrobe.blogspot.com
Habiba. J
January 25, 2012 at 3:57 pm
I love his style, it’s twenties meets modern day man, it’s so classy. If you get a chance do check out my blog, I have interesting fashion posts you might love to read.
http://www.thegirlinredheels.com
Lydia
January 25, 2012 at 3:58 pm
I love that he’s a barber, I love his mustache, and I love his tattoos. This guy is fantastic.
April
January 25, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Mustache and boots; if I had a beard he’d certainly be my barber!
http://inaworldwithothers.wordpress.com
STYLE ALPHABET
January 25, 2012 at 4:04 pm
What’s the brand of the boots? Superb retro style – but sorry I am back to the boots? I love their polish, and the pants – great material by the look of it.
Great picture ( the first one)
http://www.stylealphabet.com
Dave in Houston
January 25, 2012 at 4:05 pm
As a guy who enjoys his daily shaving routine, please follow up on this interview with one on grooming. Nice to read about someone who appreciates the benefits of a good shave.
laurie
January 25, 2012 at 4:06 pm
I love the fact that Michael is a barber – his last name means “hair” in german!
Gillian Striker
January 25, 2012 at 4:17 pm
This guy’s style is impeccable – I want him to start a blog just so I can see what he’s wearing everyday!
-Gillian
http://www.oystervintage.com
Amanda
January 25, 2012 at 4:29 pm
I think I’m in love.
And the picture in the straw hat is totally from the Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra 1920s Lawn Party. I’ve never been to it, but I just know. I’m going this coming Summer, no question.
And FYI: Wear those boots again.
princessglee
January 25, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Interesting man and interesting interview. I like that he made no remarks suggesting that Queens is “less than.”
Roseanne
January 25, 2012 at 4:39 pm
he has style.amazing!
Daniel
January 25, 2012 at 4:39 pm
I have a great shot on old film of his shoes and his partners dancing at the jazz age picnic…one of my favorite photos of all time. If you read this, Mr. Haar, thank you!!
melissa
January 25, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Love this interview..
I feel the same way about cloths too,but I love jeans…
xo
m
I lost my way after I moved from the mid-west to the east in the late 80′s, in regards to fashion, but I use to dress in vintage and not think to much about what I was wearing, just now finding my way back to my authentic voice..
Kate
January 25, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Great moustache. Great ink. Great style. Great interview!
Kate
http://www.thrillofthechaise.com
monkeyshines
January 25, 2012 at 5:05 pm
fun preppy looks!
Bises,
monkeyshines
http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/
Gary-A
January 25, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Yeah yeah, boots in the second pic are awesome and unique…
But what about the boots in the FIRST pic? Something I could definitely slide into my wardrobe without looking like I just hoped off a horse. Those things are beauties!
Maud
January 25, 2012 at 5:18 pm
Haar = hair in dutch. It’s funny
SAAAAN
January 25, 2012 at 5:38 pm
OOOOHH !! the second picture…REALLY!?!?!? that is just soooo amazing! love this post
h
January 25, 2012 at 5:53 pm
love love love! a man with magic and whimsy in his life. and of course, a style all his own. the style profiles truly a wonderful addition to your blog and exploration of the social life of style !
Hillary
January 25, 2012 at 5:55 pm
I appreciate that he’s interested in Will Rogers. Will is from Oologah, Oklahoma – outside of Claremore, Oklahoma where I’m from! His memorial stands in Claremore today.
<3
Shug'A'Very
January 25, 2012 at 6:03 pm
I absolutely adore this section of yours, it always make me discover new people and their way to approach fashion and style.
This man caught my attention because of your photo, before clicking on my Bloglovin link I thought he would be a lover of 1900 era and MGM musicals and then I read and I just saw I was right, that is to say that with your photos you catch the essence of the people ! I like fantasizing about the people you photograph before reading your style profile it is really fun, sometimes I just get it and sometimes not ! Anyway I am on my to understand better fashion and style thanks to you !
Shug’A'Very from Incognito
http://www.thinkincognito-eng.blogspot.com
Gina
January 25, 2012 at 6:25 pm
I really want to know this guy.
Colleen
January 25, 2012 at 6:26 pm
What a wonderful combination of fantastic style and personality! That first picture is so classic-with-an-unexpected-twist. Hope to see more of him on The Sartorialist in the future. Thanks for the interview!
clara turbay
January 25, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Simply great!
Jessica
January 25, 2012 at 7:13 pm
He was your barber in the Intel Visual Life short! Fantastic! I love his attitude.
Helen
January 25, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Michael Haar, you are my favorite dreamboat! Thank you Mister Sartorialist for this delightful read!
Kate
January 25, 2012 at 8:33 pm
So cool to see someone so put-together, but making it look effortless. Really enjoying reading these style profiles, thanks for posting them!
Chris
January 25, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Great pics and an interesting interview. I will check out the Program he hosts – btw the link does not work.
Tracy
January 25, 2012 at 9:52 pm
I think I love everything about you, Michael Haar.
Supal {chevrons and éclairs}
January 25, 2012 at 10:06 pm
Neil Simon and Woody Allen? He won my heart.
lintmag
January 25, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Gorgeous man and he has a great style – would love to see pix of his house and barbershop!
Nansosi
January 25, 2012 at 10:43 pm
What a delightful being. I love everything about Haar in this post. Thanks to both of you for sharing.
Cristina
January 25, 2012 at 11:00 pm
I love the profiles… Keep them coming!
Jennifer defrancisco
January 25, 2012 at 11:57 pm
he is amazing!
une chatte grise
January 26, 2012 at 2:09 am
I love that he’s clearly a serious student of the turn-of-the-century era but has a playful take on bringing what he loves into the modern world. (And that first portrait is just wonderful.)
Haiku QR
January 26, 2012 at 4:09 am
Wow! Tattoos go really well with his outfit for some reason…
NickS
January 26, 2012 at 4:33 am
Those boots in the second pic – stunning. The ‘tache is pretty special to. People dressing as they want to rather than as they have to make the world a more entertaining place.
Nonplussed
January 26, 2012 at 7:46 am
He’s a cutie pie.
Freemans
January 26, 2012 at 8:57 am
He’s my barber! Also, yeah Queens!
LIZPR
January 26, 2012 at 10:09 am
I adore the mini-interviews; thank you.
Mr. Haar has serious style and substance going on, here, in abundance. Thank you so much for profiling him.
http://www.lizpr.com
kat
January 26, 2012 at 10:42 am
Hiihihi your last name coudn’t be better as a barber (in dutch Haar means hair!)
btw the first tie is awesome
ojeje
January 26, 2012 at 11:05 am
Nice tattoos! Nicely on the hands like love.
http://www.ojeje.com/
proletarian Great Gatsby
January 26, 2012 at 11:41 am
I don’t like tatoos but…ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS AND UNIQUE !
brandon
January 26, 2012 at 12:51 pm
love those boots.
where does he barber? i want him to cut my hair.
Gregory
January 26, 2012 at 12:54 pm
My favorite post in a while. He’d fit right in in New Orleans!
Dewi
January 26, 2012 at 1:53 pm
aww he looks so cute and nice,
i absolutely love his style, very chic!
xxxxxx
http://lesreveuses.blogspot.com/
Aya
January 26, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Especially that second photo–how dapper! Swoon!
christine
January 26, 2012 at 4:10 pm
his name is Harr and he does hair? Too perfect. Me loves him.
macalny
January 26, 2012 at 4:42 pm
I have seen Michael – and photographed him – many times at the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor’s Island and, not only is this man impeccably dressed, but he can dance like nobody’s business. So glad Scott profiled him! Nice work. Michael seems like a cool dude and his down-to-earth attitude also makes me wish I could be groomed at Freeman’s.
hilary
January 26, 2012 at 6:43 pm
Does he remind anyone else of Rooster from the musical Annie? Diggin the stache and tats!
Anthony
January 26, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Does any one know where those boots can be found who’s the designer? I wont sleep until I find them.
POl
January 27, 2012 at 8:51 am
Great Look!
Wonderful mustache. I’m into lindyhop music and his look match perfectly with it.
Not only looks, but works like in the era of vaudeville.
I need a haircut
January 27, 2012 at 9:42 am
The danger of building your style on a historical era is that you risk sliding from fashion into costume. He’s not there yet, but he’s close.
That being said, I’d choose him for my barber.
Gus
January 27, 2012 at 9:54 am
By looking at these photos, It just came to my mind, maybe it’s true what they say about NY, that you can be your real self
Dlight
January 27, 2012 at 1:56 pm
HAha le TITI PArisien! :D
Love his tattoos and his style!
Dlight from PAris
La Rue A Du Style
http://www.larueadustyle.com
Styleomad
January 27, 2012 at 3:46 pm
So amazin when someone commits to a style. He’s cool!
Luke Joyce
January 27, 2012 at 11:44 pm
After watching the BTS video on the Sartorialist and they featured shots of Scott Schuman inside a vintage barbers, I wanted to know more about the eccentric barber! Great insight into a unique individual.
ilegirl
January 28, 2012 at 2:34 am
Not only a stylish fellow, but quite intelligent and interesting. There’s something so appealing about those a man wearing a hat.
Blanca
January 28, 2012 at 12:39 pm
Did this gentleman work at The Box before? His style is amazing.
The Last Button
January 28, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Very nice series. He’s killin’ it.
Taipei Style
January 30, 2012 at 8:48 pm
He has a unique style, I like it! Good pictures :)
http://taipeistyle.blogspot.com
cynthia
January 31, 2012 at 1:20 am
yeah mike! this man not only wears clothes, he lives and breathes the period they represent.
now i am going to ask the question that every man is dying to know: where do you get suits made like that these days?
Michael Haar
February 1, 2012 at 12:35 am
I’m Glad you all like it.
K.
February 2, 2012 at 3:10 pm
I think I’m in love.
KCM
February 3, 2012 at 3:22 am
best haircuts! : D
Hanna
February 7, 2012 at 11:25 am
Man of my dreams…
LouiseBrooks
February 9, 2012 at 4:22 pm
It reminds me that when I was 18-19, for 2 Summers I wore my hair short, combed with gel, very 20′s style – à la garçonne.. Just had to have my neck trimmed from time to time; wish I would have met someone like him to take care of my haircut.
Next Century Sean
February 11, 2012 at 8:37 am
Another fantastic interview!
mmm
March 12, 2012 at 1:09 pm
you posted another foto of him some years ago, yes?
we;ve been in love ever since ;)
Graig
March 14, 2012 at 11:34 am
Holy god, he’s amazing.
followcardinalrule
April 7, 2012 at 8:21 am
damn lovely boots !
karenmillensell
May 8, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Holy god, he’s amazing.
karenmillensell
May 8, 2012 at 8:46 pm
it is another style
Andy D4
May 23, 2012 at 4:50 am
This guy is the dapperest of Dans!
mulberry outlet
August 8, 2012 at 2:46 am
Holy god, he’s amazing.
karen millen
August 8, 2012 at 2:47 am
cool!!!
"daddy" short arms
October 9, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Proud is too small a word to convey how I feel about the greatest son in all the whole wide world.
Mira
January 19, 2013 at 6:19 am
Nice interview, I have heard that your blog is one of the most popular ones and now I understand why, really great posts and photos! I’m new to the world of blogging but I’m surely finding the joy of it! :)