by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Ian Sutherland

Age: 32

Occupation: Proprietor of Mann

Bio: This elegantly genteel NDG resident had been travelling the globe working for Air Canada when he first noticed the increasing popularity of exclusively male grooming centres in some of the more cosmopolitan cities he was visiting. Sensing the potential for such an operation here in la belle province, Ian hustled long and hard before finally getting the money together to launch MANN, “Montreal’s first one-stop grooming destination for men” (www.mannmontreal.com) at 449 Viger W. In business for only two months now, should you find yourself in need of a shave, massage, facial or even a little first-rate hand detailing to get those dirty, nail-bitten fingernails of yours looking as good as they can possibly be, Ian says, “Services for guys have always been an afterthought at traditional spas—from the products they use to the décor, everything. What we’re promoting here is something very masculine.”

Something many he-men seek come summertime: Foot work . “A relaxing and rejuvenating soak and foot scrub followed by nail care and callous removal.”

Does he believe he could have opened a business like this 10 years ago? Probably not. “But everyone’s getting into the market now—it’s the fastest growing segment in cosmetics, and that’s a really recent development. I mean, even L’Oreal is coming out with a men’s line.”

Speaking of coming out, is homosexuality a prerequisite to having oneself groomed at MANN’s? “Of course not.”

Another popular service MANN offers: Hair removal. “We call it manscaping.”

Can one have all the hair on their testicles removed at MANN? Yes, but Ian doesn’t recommend it, warning that it might be a little painful, given hot wax is MANN’s preferred method of hair removal. “Most of the hair removal work we do is on chests and backs—although legs and necks are popular too.”

Are the technicians at MANN male or female? Exclusively female.

Is this out of concern the aspiring metrosexual might start questioning their all-important manhood when discussing the finer points of their imminent ass-hair removal with another equally enthusiastic male? No.

The percentage of the population he suspects is open to the idea of a male grooming centre with no barbershop pole outside its premises? “I don’t really know, but our customer base seems to be young urban professionals, 30-plus, with a fair amount of disposable income. What happens a lot is guys come in the first time for a haircut and then come back the next week going, ‘You know what? I’m going to get a facial, I’m going to get waxed, I’m going to get my feet done.’ A lot of women come in and buy gift certificates for their guys too.”

Musical preferences: Thievery Corporation, Matt Dusk, Keane.

Last book read: The E-Myth by Michael Gerber.

Words of wisdom: “You are in control of your destiny. You’ve got to think big, you’ve got to take risks. If you always do what you’ve always done then things are always going to be the same.”

Comments? dimwit@hdot.net