Barrister and Mann

The product packaging doesn't bother me.  I understand it may bother some people.

The price is a little disconcerting.  I have several B&M soaps and splashes and I like them very much.  They are very good performers.  That said, it's obvious by Will's comments and by the general popularity of the brand that B&M is probably selling more soaps than it ever has.  Now if we are talking about a "one-off" with a slightly higher price tag that's one thing.  An across the board price increase that size may be another entirely ( at least for me).  

Haslingers has been around for a little while I think.  Their stuff performs as well as anything else I've tried.  Wonder how long they'll stay in business?

I have no plans for an across-the-board price increase, though. Cheshire increased because the price of clary sage oil has tripled in the last year, up to $200 a pound. Since we use nearly a half pound per batch, we had to increase the price in order to continue to make the product. Otherwise, the prices will remain as they are.

That's good because I need some more Cologne Russe. :-)

...Cheshire increased because the price of clary sage oil has tripled in the last year, up to $200 a pound. Since we use nearly a half pound per batch, we had to increase the price in order to continue to make the product...

I'm just holding out for the glissant & label upgrade.

...Cheshire increased because the price of clary sage oil has tripled in the last year, up to $200 a pound. Since we use nearly a half pound per batch, we had to increase the price in order to continue to make the product...

I'm just holding out for the glissant & label upgrade.

September. Jars are being printed as we speak, labels are already done.

I hesitate to chime in particularly since I did such a poor job in the other fora.  But here goes.

I looked forward to purchasing the FG t-shirt like I did the previous Hallows shirts.  I skipped the FG shirt due to the presence of the devil, but perhaps not why you think.  I did use the term "glorify" the devil in prior posts, and it was probably the wrong term.  Ultimately, the FG T-shirt has no context.  If I were to go to a shave meet-up (not my style), I would proudly wear the shirt because virtually everyone I would encounter would understand the context and assume I was a B&M &/or Fougère Gothique fan.

Being a Christian, it is essential I don't do things that confuse the fact that I'm Christian to others.  The apostle Paul gets on my nerves quite a bit, but he made a good point when he said (paraphrasing),  "We all here, within this circle of believers know that meat is meat.  If we eat meat intended for sacrifice to idols, it's the same meat and it doesn't offend God, nor does it cause us harm.  However, if we're around a new believer, who has yet to attain this enlightenment, our eating this 'forbidden' meat in his presence may cause him to question everything he thought he knew.  I could cause him to stumble.  This is the exact opposite of what I'm supposed to be doing for this guy. I'm supposed to be supporting him and nurturing his faith.  And someday, in the Father's time, he'll be enlightened, too.  Therefore, if eating meat has the potential to cause this brother to stumble, then I'll never eat meat again."

That, and only that, is the reason I skipped the shirt.  It's just a devil, nothing else to provide context.  Design-wise, that's the best way to do it, too.  It is likely to provoke a question and then introduction to B&M products.  My faith simply told me it wasn't for me even though I think it's a design well done.

The bowl is cool, and I expect the EdP and AS bottles will be cool as well (we're ready to see those anytime, now, Barrister_N_Mann ), but I'll be using these in the privacy of my own home.

There are some whose convictions prohibit them from wearing anything that has even a loose representation of "the devil", and I very much respect that.  To those people, I say, do not succumb.  Pass on this.  You must not put aside your convictions...especially for something like this.

I have no problem wearing something like this:

[Image: vk6FNhs.jpg]

How many of you would take issue with dressing your infant in this?:

[Image: BlystAx.jpg]

Do we even think twice about buying this (well, maybe if you're not a deviled ham fan):

[Image: Ysr8Oip.jpg]

Remember, symbols carry different connotations with respect to context, experience, and culture.  A fair example is that of the swastika (look it up if you don't know).

I think Barrister_N_Mann has defended himself sufficiently, and I am not here to defend him, but I would ask those who are quick to grab the pitchfork to take a breath and think about this for a moment.  Do you really think they (the artisan and marketer) are really trying to promote satan?

And regarding the phrasing and descriptors used in the marketing of FG.  The whole thing is, thematically taken from Milton and Shakespeare, and in some cases are verbatim quotes.  If you weren't exposed to Paradise Lost or The Tempest, then it will be lost on you.

This was an excellent post, it made me think a good bit. Thanks for your opinion.

Will,  

Just wanted you to know I am enjoying my latest purchase of Reserve Cool, Seville and Cologne Russe soaps and splashes. My B&M stash is growing and I now have the Glissant, Reserve, and Latha lines.

Thank you for including the Reserve AS samples so I could try the other scents. I appreciate it.  Tonight's shave was with Adagio.  

I feel that I should chime in on this, so I will:

For those of you that know me can attest, I am a HUGE Barrister and Mann fan. So much so, that I have every item that the company has ever released (usually multiples, actually). I follow this thread, sing their praises on multiple forums, and buy every release. Let's face it...I'm a fan boy.

At any rate, I also fall into the off-putting group of the marketing for Fougere Gothique. As a businessman, I can appreciate the sales and marketing, but as a Christian, I cannot support the ideaology of "praising" and "uplifting" Satan. I get it. It's dark and ashy... but to market it as it has been...I simply don't agree with it. It has been discussed in several forums and I have no doubt it will Cost the company some business, but others are excited about it.

I don't believe the "devil" is present in the items or anything...that's silly. I bought the soap, Aftershave and parfum. I just don't appreciate the marketing as such.

I am in no way bashing Will it b&m. I believe the product to be super high quality and I will continue to buy them, but this is quite off-putting for many, many people, and I have no doubt there is a way to tone it down a bit in the future and still build sales.

That's my 2 cents.

Ha

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk

Will, are you still planning to release Barrister's Reserve Fern in September? I didn't see it as a future release on your website.

Will, are you still planning to release Barrister's Reserve Fern in September? I didn't see it as a future release on your website.

Yes. I will be updating the schedule soon; I'm just waiting on an answer from a supplier.

We've updated our Release Schedule for the last time this year! Check it out here!