“Why the beard? Why not a moustache?”

In this instalment on the theme of personal style and identity I’ll be presenting a selection of images I’ve taken featuring beards and moustaches that have caught my eye as well as including some family photos – a mix of photographs taken by me and archival images.

Why the beard? Why not a moustache? A reflex reaction my mum, Dalia, has every time she sees my sons or comes across a handsome man who chooses to be bearded. Despite my mum’s obvious adoration of her grandsons she seems genuinely bemused by the fact they choose to be bearded. In the world of facial hair, her preference would be a well-groomed moustache. Who is the role model for these aesthetics of masculinity?

Her own father, Mordechai, was born in Merv in Turkmenistan. He made his way to Palestine on foot, learning to read and write the languages of each country on the way. He was very handsome, and I seem to remember he was described as the Tyrone Power – an American movie star cast in swashbuckling and romantic roles – of Tel Aviv.

Below, a photograph I took of my grandfather back in the 70s, reading the paper on the balcony in his rocking chair – a daily ritual. He still sported a well-groomed moustache.

Atributed to being the founding father of the Aminoff Kordovani clan, this photoengraving is of my great grandfather (on my father’s paternal side) Haji Benyamin Ben Yosef.

Haji Benyamin BenYosef had an impressive beard – but would I have stopped him in the street and asked whether I could photograph him to add to my beard collection? Below, a portrait of Aziz Er, whose beard is possibly one of the most striking in the local vicinity, and possibly beyond!

Next, some eye-catching colourful beards, beginning with master florist and artist Henck Roling, whose displays include the Orchid Festival in Kew:

Above, a man I spotted in a bank in Covent Garden in late November 2024. I was intrigued by his bright turquoise moustache which seemed somewhat incongruous with his otherwise norm-core look. We spoke and he told me he’d grown it for Movember (an annual event involving growing moustaches to raise awareness of men’s physical and mental health issues) and that it was coming off at the end of the month.

Below, a few portraits where beards have been plaited or styled with beads and rubber bands:

Two tone beards and moustaches provide dramatic contrasts – here are a couple of examples:

Next, a series of street portraits featuring bearded men with impressive wispy-ended moustaches:

Below, some of the bearded blokes I’ve photographed whilst sitting out at Bar Italia:

Next, a series of photographs taken at Barber shops displaying facial hair iconography and signage:

Finally, some images featuring fake facial hair, but in the first case a very real beard combined with a fake fuchsia-coloured mohawk: