After numerous debates, sweat, and toil, BaB has come to the decision that The Best Beard Award for 2011's SXSWi goes to The Beard of Trammell. Its length, vigorous health, color, sturdy build, overall magnificence, and background working at PayPal, Digg, and Twitter -- made the beard the obvious champion.
Congrats Trammell. 
(Photo by: Marcus Nelson)
Good morning, and yes it's another Monday... so it's time for another mug shot.
In honor of Riss' trials and tribulations down south at SXSWi, wanted to make this a special #mugshotmonday... as such, this is perhaps the most famous beardo of the TSG family (at least in our circles).
No, he's not a coke sniffing out of control Hollywood celeb, he's not a topless blond with a sly look on her face, he's not even on facebook (try MySpace on for size), but he is a viral beard through and through... one that who's SEO has increased exponentially each year. If you've ever searched for beards on the interwebs of the cyberspaces, you've likely stumbled on this beardo.
If you haven't yet, dear B-a-B community, please meet Salvatore Dichiera (aka Sal Punk). A 28-year-old Pennsylvania native whose graced the TSG pages more than a few times (what's a little disorderly intoxication, misdemeanor, etc. among friends) nearly all of them in his trademark half-bearded state.
A beard so viral, it must be contagious. And while incomplete, we here at B-a-B see Sal's beard to be half full and not half empty... So we don't blame it, and never will.
Circa October, 2010
Circa October 2009
Well, we're known for persistence here at B-a-B, so... we tracked down Sal, sorta, and here he is... in all his half beardy goodness, straight from the mean streets of MySpace (for real)... Sal, if you're reading this, we'd love to get in touch. Punk on, and hopefully, you'll grow it out and grow it proud on the other half of your face soon too.
Modern Times?
With all the beards running around Hollywood these days, on the streets of Williamsburg, and the 'staches sported on Sunset Boulevard, Build-a-Beard wanted to examine what is causing the sudden burst of follicle fierceness (not that we're complaining).
It is believed by some that the recession has sparked this bearded trend - with more layoffs and fewer people in corporate America - there is no need to shave. Yet Hollywood should tread lightly here - men should always grow out for the love and dedication of their facial fuzz NOT because of a 'trend.' In the months to come, it will be interesting to watch what actors go beard and what actors go home. But as of right now, men have realized that facial hair magically transforms the average zero into a bearded hero. Afterall, letting hair follicles hang out changes a man's perceived masculinity (trust me on this - I am a woman - I know these things). To this point, B-a-B is interested to know how many beardos got laid at SXSW vs. unshaved faces? Think about it - SXSW is the Hipster Beard Mecca! We're sure the % of happy beardos leaving that festival is significantly higher than those who rocked nothing on their faces....
Yet the point about the recession brings up an interesting question - how has our bearded brotherhood impacted the razor business? How are companies such as Gillette, Schick, and BIC combating our hairy army of awesomeness? Surely, fewer men are picking up razors these days causing a definite backlash against the blade. But shaving companies can rest easy - a recent report by The Global Industry Analysts (GIA) titled, "Men's Grooming Products: A Global Strategic Business Report," found that the world market for men's grooming products is projected to exceed $33.2 billion by the year 2015. This is primarily driven by a rapid rise of metrosexual male, innovative appealing products, growing middle class population, increased Internet connectivity, and universality of prestige across the world.
As far as Build-a-Beard is concerned, presitge comes from turning on, tuning in, and growing out. That said, we'd be interested in hearing from any shaving companies about their thoughts on the wave of lengthy facial follicles. Email us for a possible Q&A.
*LA 'stache tweeting @buildabeard spotted on Sunset