A Life Less Ordinary

Street culture pioneer-entrepreneur Feroze McLeod defies convention, even in his watch collection.

- ANDRE FROIS

Barbering, street culture, and high horology make curious bedfellows, but Feroze McLeod's passions are underpinned by his love of gentlemanly sartorialism. It could surprise some that the entrepreneur, who took just 12 years to expand his business from a British-inspired barber shop to a mini lifestyle empire, has been a watch enthusiast since childhood.

McLeod is so fascinated with Rolex that he has been marking his major milestones by acquiring its iconic models.

"The Swiss brand's utilitarian essence resonates deeply with me. Owning a part of its heritage is the reason for my affinity for vintage Rolexes," says Singapore's pioneer in men's grooming, who has forged his legacy with a string of successful businesses.

AN EARLY START

Born in Singapore to a Scottish-New Zealander father and Malay-Singaporean mother, McLeod, well-known for his immaculate yet unorthodox style, has loved playing dress-up since he was a little boy. "My uncle, my mum's youngest brother, is the vain one in the family. He had a Pierre Cardin watch with a black leather strap and gold case, which I greatly admired. At the young age of 11, I would sneak his watch out of his room, wear it out, and return it at the end of the night," he recounts.

During his teenage years, he attended boarding school in New Zealand and discovered his knack for design, creating graphics for friends' skateboarding videos, punk concert posters, and band merchandise.

This laid the foundation for his training in the traditional arts of barbering and tattooing, for which he had moved to Australia in the noughties to pursue. In 2012, he founded his upscale barber and shaving parlour, Hounds of the Baskervilles, which would kickstart his entrepreneurial journey and watchcollecting journey.

DREAM COME TRUE