Sumowax was arguably our most arduous birth of all and the brainchild of Laurent Philippon, Bb. Editorial Stylist and a Parisian with endless curiosity. It all started when he became enthralled with the part hairdressing played in ancient Japanese sumo wrestling rituals, where wax is melted in iron cauldrons, applied and then cooled to set glossy, black helmets of hair.

The contemporary commercial equivalent from Japan proved a pale, greasy (and stinky) imitation, so we set about finding the right blend of waxes to do Laurent's bidding. Two years later we hit the mark and the wax was cast. As Bumbleananda once said, "Patience is more a matter of discipline than virtue. As such, the rewards are even sweeter."