Remember Remember the Month of Movember

The moustache is reminiscent of the eighties and fashion faux-pas- inextricably linked with colossal spectacles, patterned shirts and Tom Cruise movies. Fast forward three decades and the moustache is in vogue again and at the centre of one of the world’s most successful cancer charities–Movember.

Mo, slang for moustache, and November have been coming together annually since the idea was sparked in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia when a group of friends decided to reignite their upper-lip whiskers initially for fun. No money was raised in 2003 but the men recognised the potential their growing stubble had in generating discussion and decided to create a global charity focused on the number one cancer affecting men-prostate. In 2010 alone, Irish mo bros and sistas raised €1.6 million and a total of €60 million was raised worldwide. The idea of Movember is simple yet quirky: start off clean shaven on the first of November and grow a moustache for the rest of the month whilst trying to raise as much cash for spurting those fuzzy little hairs as possible. The charity challenges men to change their appearance and in turn the face of men’s health.

Image is evidently crucial to this campaign, taking visual aid to a new level and so each year, the charity takes a different stylistic approach to the anticipated return of the moustache. This year, it is all about the country gentlemen, as Movember stipulates, “a country gentleman is prepared ready for anything at any moment”. Think of some of the greatest mustachios: Tom Selleck, Albert Einstein or Clarke Gable for retro charm and glamour. Whatever style it may be it will certainly raise awareness and most hopefully funds for the prostate cancer charities.

The whole month culminates in Movember galas held across the country. Mo bros and sistas are encouraged to end their Movember journey by celebrating at a ‘world renowned exhibition of nature’s finest bounty, the moustache’. There are awards for Miss Movember, Team Mo and of course, man of Movember. The organisers summon, ‘Citizens of Movember, wear the crest with pride and join us in 2011 for another humdinger of a campaign’. Snickers have a more direct calling; ‘Get some nuts- grow a mo.’  

 The most notorious mustachio.

http://www.movember.ie/