MENSDEPT.

In David Raccuglia's "Modern Man Portrait Series," impeccably dressed models of masculinity such as Jack Nicholson, Gary Oldman, and Iggy Pop pose in stark black-and-white photographs. The series hangs on the wall of the MensDept. as a reminder of the significant difference proper grooming can make to a man's appearance. It's a difference founder Kurt Kueffner spent 15 years showcasing for salon owners as he toured the country demonstrating men's haircutting techniques to fellow stylists.

When he decided it was time to put that teaching into practice, he opened MensDept., an upscale salon staffed only by stylists who have received at least 60 hours of hands-on, one-on-one training from Kurt himself. They base each cut on the client's hair type and head shape, rather than on meeting the daily mohawk quota mandated by local law. Beyond blending grays naturally into darker strands, the team can rejuvenate hair with customized color or conduct cuts at the client's office on weekdays until 3 p.m.