A new range of male grooming products is being launched by kidney transplant patient and Richmond barber George Angeli with half the profits going to charity.
Angeli, who underwent a second kidney transplant in July this year – 24 years after his first, will unveil 50byRB on Friday December 14 at Richmond Barbers, in south west London.
The range features four hair products – a wax stick, two different strength matte pastes, a pomade and a beard oil. Prices for the products range from £11 to £14.50.
“The vision of 50byRB is to try and help improve the lives of renal patients by raising funds and delivering them direct to a treatment centre or facility. It is important that it doesn’t disappear down a black hole and that there is something tangible from the fundraising,” said the 38-year-old, who was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome aged two.
“This is something I am very passionate about given I have had kidney disease since I was two. I had both kidneys removed when I was 14, which is when I had my first transplant. I had my second transplant this summer and it inspired me to do this and give something back.
“As I am barber and given the trend for male grooming products this seemed the natural route to go. I have branded it 50byRB, because 50 per cent of the profits will go to fundraising and the other 50 per cent back into product development.
“But 50byRB is more than a brand, it’s a community. Everyone involved believes in the power of community and the need to support one another.”
Initially, 50byRB products are only available from Richmond Barbers, but Angeli is setting up the business as a Community Interest Company, which will see the addition of an online store to enable wider sales. The range is also going to be complemented by clothing accessories including a stylish baseball cap and T-shirt.
Angeli has added a twist to the grooming range by securing seven artists to uniquely design a batch of the five products, as Richmond Barbers is located in a former art gallery.
He added: “I am an art lover and the shop has plenty of art work hanging inside, while the outside walls are used as free canvases for local artists. As 50byRB is a community brand, I want to support local artists and have given them the products as a canvas.
“This makes each batch of the products unique, as when they are gone – that’s it. It is on the next design as I aim to use different artists to give them opportunities and to give the products that wow factor.”
Find out more about 50byRB via Facebook; Twitter and Instagram.