Looking for something?

Tap outside or press close

InspirationGraphic Design

A classically cut identity for one of Porto's oldest barber shops

Founded in 1946, and reinvented from generation to generation, Barbearia Porto is a barber shop in Portugal that holds a unique historical legacy, something that is passed on to each of its successors. And so, with the arrival of the contemporary gentleman, it was important to adapt to an urban lifestyle, offering not only a new haircut but also an unmatchable experience that represents the vast heritage gained throughout the decades of the shop’s life.

Written By:
Barbearia Porto business card with gold lettering on cream card, positioned next to a vintage straight razor on dark background

In October 2015, the barber shop welcomed a new group of successors who were interested in transforming and adapting the place to contemporary standards, but simultaneously seeking to preserve and assume a strong presence of its important historical heritage.

They called upon the talents of local designer Oscar Maia to develop a new brand: "It seemed fundamental that Barbearia Porto's new identity should somehow be based on everything related to vintage, not only by the way in which typography and layout would be used, but also by how the various materials would be produced and finished."

The shop’s window display was completely made by hand, recovering the almost-extinct technique of gold leaf glass gilding and representing a more detailed and historically accurate approach to the project. Letterpress printing and other fine manufacturing techniques and materials were also used to produce the shop’s stationary and the other designs, as a way of making a statement on the concepts of timelessness and rediscovery which are associated with the shop and the services it provides. Discover more on Behance.

Via Behance

Barbearia Porto storefront sign with metallic lettering established 1946, featuring a barber pole and framed photographs on the wall
Barbers working on customers' hair in a bright, contemporary salon space with framed artwork on the walls and large windows
Business cards and orange paper samples for Barbearia Porto displayed on a black and orange background
Barbearia Porto branding layout featuring letterpress stationery, business cards, a shaving brush and straight razor on dark background
Vintage barber tools and letterpress-printed stationery for Barbearia Porto, including an antique razor, spray bottle and combs arranged on dark background
Opened book spread showing a black and white photograph of a barber shop window on the left page and Cyrillic text on the right, with scissors placed beside the pages
Letterpress printed business cards for Barbearia Porto featuring vintage-style brown typography with Portuguese text describing barber services and pricing
Stacked pages of cream-coloured Barbearia Porto stationery showing service menu items and pricing in euros, printed with letterpress technique
Vintage typewriter with cream-coloured business cards and an open sign for Barbearia Porto displayed alongside
Barbearia Porto window display showing pricing sign with services and costs ranging from €10 to €30, alongside vintage barber shop imagery and decor
Close-up of embroidered euro symbol and the number 10 on white fabric with black stitching and gold thread fill
Barbearia Porto window display with hand-painted pricing for haircuts and services in euros, featuring vintage typography and gold leaf gilding technique
Split-screen showing a vintage barber pole connected to electronic components on the left, and a mounted animal skull with black horns on the right
Brass hand stamp embossing gold foil lettering onto Barbearia Porto gift cards displayed on a dark background
Hand holding a brush applies gold leaf to cream-coloured fabric bearing the Barbearia Porto logo
Promotional poster for Barbearia Porto showing a black and white portrait of a man with a microphone, alongside gold text reading "We Bless We This Bless Mess This Mess" for an acoustic set in January at the Porto barber shop
Three printed posters for Barbearia Porto tattoo events featuring gold lettering on coloured paper, advertising guest artists Zé Simões, Bela Hilário and Inês Almeida in March and April
Vintage black and white photograph of a man in a suit and fedora hat alongside a promotional poster for Barbearia Porto's classic hat event at Brixton
Three promotional posters for Barbearia Porto tattoo events featuring guest artists Tanya Jinx, Ivo Napalm and Leanne Kerr, printed in gold lettering on coloured card stock
Black and white photograph of Barbearia Porto's storefront from 1946, with barbers working inside and price list displayed on the window
Three barbers in white coats sit in vintage chairs inside Barbearia Porto, surrounded by framed artwork and memorabilia on the walls, in black and white
Share

Further Reading