Raymond Bessone
Encyclopedia
Raymond Bessone (known as Mr Teasy-Weasy, Teasie Weasie Raymond and various combinations of these), was a British hairdresser
of the 1950s and 1960s.
, Soho
, London, England of Italian anf French parentage. He subsequently Anglicised his name to Raymond Pierre Carlo Bessone Raymond. His name is commonly, but incorrectly, given as Pierre Raymond Bessone. He was married to the actress Rosalie Ashley. Bessone received the OBE
in 1982. He died in Berkshire
on 17 April 1992, aged 80.
in Mayfair
, where he trained Vidal Sassoon
. Sassoon said, about Bessone, in 2010, that "He really taught me how to cut hair ... I'd never have achieved what I have without him." Building on his first salon, Bessone developed a chain of highly fashionable salons in the West End
. He later opened outlets in several major cities, including Birmingham.
Bessone was the first hairdresser to appear on television, and had his own show at Saturday teatime. Regarded as Britain's first celebrity hairdresser, he cultivated a faux French accent and a camp manner. Bessone liked to pace around his salon and, if a customer approached him, he would then exclaim with exasperation, "Madam, can you not see that I am meditating!" His Knightsbridge
salon was replete with gilt mirrors, chandeliers, and champagne fountains.
Bessone was flown to the United States in 1956, by Diana Dors
, for a shampoo and set that caused media controversy. A house could be bought, in those days, for the £2,500 cost.
In 1957 Bessone launched the Shangi-La style, based on "the four principles of colour, line, youth and softness" and inspired by his view of Swiss mountain peaks after being knocked-out in a skiing accident.
The modern bouffant
is considered to be a Bessone invention. He also innovated by dyeing
hair with bold colours; pink, orange and purple.
winner Ayala and owner of 1976 Grand National winner Rag Trade. The horses that he raced always had permed hair.
Hairdresser
Hairdresser is a term referring to anyone whose occupation is to cut or style hair in order to change or maintain a person's image. This is achieved using a combination of hair coloring, haircutting, and hair texturing techniques...
of the 1950s and 1960s.
Personal life
Bessone was born 'Raimondo Pietro Carlo Bessone' at 61, Wardour StreetWardour Street
Wardour Street is a street in Soho, London. It is a one-way street south to north from Leicester Square, up through Chinatown, across Shaftesbury Avenue to Oxford Street.-History:...
, Soho
Soho
Soho is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London. Long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable...
, London, England of Italian anf French parentage. He subsequently Anglicised his name to Raymond Pierre Carlo Bessone Raymond. His name is commonly, but incorrectly, given as Pierre Raymond Bessone. He was married to the actress Rosalie Ashley. Bessone received the OBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1982. He died in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
on 17 April 1992, aged 80.
Career
Bessone began his career making false beards and moustaches in his father's barber shop. He subsequently opened his own salonBeauty salon
A beauty salon or beauty parlor is an establishment dealing with cosmetic treatments for men and women...
in Mayfair
Mayfair
Mayfair is an area of central London, within the City of Westminster.-History:Mayfair is named after the annual fortnight-long May Fair that took place on the site that is Shepherd Market today...
, where he trained Vidal Sassoon
Vidal Sassoon
Vidal Sassoon, CBE is a widely recognised British hairdresser, credited with creating a simple geometric, "Bauhaus-inspired" hair style, also called the bob...
. Sassoon said, about Bessone, in 2010, that "He really taught me how to cut hair ... I'd never have achieved what I have without him." Building on his first salon, Bessone developed a chain of highly fashionable salons in the West End
West End of London
The West End of London is an area of central London, containing many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings, and entertainment . Use of the term began in the early 19th century to describe fashionable areas to the west of Charing Cross...
. He later opened outlets in several major cities, including Birmingham.
Bessone was the first hairdresser to appear on television, and had his own show at Saturday teatime. Regarded as Britain's first celebrity hairdresser, he cultivated a faux French accent and a camp manner. Bessone liked to pace around his salon and, if a customer approached him, he would then exclaim with exasperation, "Madam, can you not see that I am meditating!" His Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
salon was replete with gilt mirrors, chandeliers, and champagne fountains.
Bessone was flown to the United States in 1956, by Diana Dors
Diana Dors
Diana Dors was an English actress, born Diana Mary Fluck in Swindon, Wiltshire. Considered the English equivalent of the blonde bombshells of Hollywood, Dors described herself as: "The only sex symbol Britain has produced since Lady Godiva."-Early life:Diana Mary Fluck was born in Swindon,...
, for a shampoo and set that caused media controversy. A house could be bought, in those days, for the £2,500 cost.
In 1957 Bessone launched the Shangi-La style, based on "the four principles of colour, line, youth and softness" and inspired by his view of Swiss mountain peaks after being knocked-out in a skiing accident.
Hairstyling
Except for girls under 20, Bessone considered that women should avoid having long hair because he considered it ageing. He was also of the opinion that, except for women with very regular features, a central parting should be avoided.The modern bouffant
Bouffant
A bouffant is a type of hairstyle characterized by hair piled high on the head and hanging down on the sides.-History:The bouffant was a mainstream hairstyle in the mid-to-late 18th century in western Europe. It was thought to be created for Marie Antoinette, as she had relatively thin hair and...
is considered to be a Bessone invention. He also innovated by dyeing
Dyeing
Dyeing is the process of adding color to textile products like fibers, yarns, and fabrics. Dyeing is normally done in a special solution containing dyes and particular chemical material. After dyeing, dye molecules have uncut Chemical bond with fiber molecules. The temperature and time controlling...
hair with bold colours; pink, orange and purple.
Horse racing
Bessone was the part-owner of 1963 Grand NationalGrand National
The Grand National is a world-famous National Hunt horse race which is held annually at Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, England. It is a handicap chase run over a distance of four miles and 856 yards , with horses jumping thirty fences over two circuits of Aintree's National Course...
winner Ayala and owner of 1976 Grand National winner Rag Trade. The horses that he raced always had permed hair.
External links
- Newsreel film of Raymond Bessone, Pathé NewsPathe NewsPathé Newsreels were produced from 1910 until the 1970s, when production of newsreels was in general stopped. Pathé News today is known as British Pathé and its archive of over 90,000 reels is fully digitised and online.-History:...
, 20 May 1957. - "Celebrity hairdresser Teasy Weasy marries" at newsplayer.com