Raymond Bessone

Raymond Bessone OBE
Cover of the Bessone's autobiography "Raymond"
Born	Raymondo Pietro Carlo Bessone 11 May 1911(1911-05-11)[1] Wardour Street, Soho, London, England
Died	17 April 1992(1992-04-17) (aged 80)[1] Berkshire, England
Cause of death	cancer[1]
Nationality	British
Other names	Mr Teasy-Weasy, Teasie Weasie Raymond, Raymond Raymond, Pierre Raymond Bessone
Occupation	Hairdresser
Spouse	Rosalie Ashley

Raymond Bessone (11 May 1911 – 17 April 1992), known as Mr Teasy-Weasy, Teasie Weasie Raymond and various combinations of these, was a British hairdresser from the 1930s to the 1960s.^[2]

Personal life

Bessone was born 'Raimondo Pietro Carlo Bessone' at 61, Wardour Street, Soho, London, England of Italian and French parentage. He subsequently Anglicised his name, and legally changed it by deed poll, to Peter Carlo Bessone Raymond.^[3] His name is sometimes, but incorrectly, given as Pierre Raymond Bessone. He was married to the actress Rosalie Ashley. Bessone received the OBE in 1982.^[1] He died in Berkshire on 17 April 1992, aged 80.

Career

Bessone began his career making false beards and moustaches in his father's barber shop.^[4] He subsequently opened his own salon in Mayfair, where he trained Vidal Sassoon.^[5] 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."^[6] Building on his first salon, Bessone developed a chain of highly fashionable salons in the West End.^[7] He later opened outlets in several major cities, including Birmingham.^[8]

Bessone was the first hairdresser to appear on television, and had his own show at Saturday teatime.^[8] Regarded as Britain's first celebrity hairdresser, he cultivated a faux French accent and a camp manner.^[9] 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!"^[5] His Knightsbridge salon was replete with gilt mirrors, chandeliers, and champagne fountains.^[10]

Bessone was flown to the United States in 1956, by Diana Dors, for a shampoo and set that caused media controversy.^[5] A house could be bought, in those days, for the £2,500 cost.^[8]

In 1957 Bessone launched the Shangri-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.^[11]

In the early 1970s Bessone made a cameo appearance in the television soap opera Crossroads.^[3]

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.^[12]

The modern bouffant is considered to be a Bessone invention.^[13] He also innovated by dyeing hair with bold colours; pink, orange and purple.^[14]

Horse racing

Bessone was the part-owner of 1963 Grand National winner Ayala.

He was also part-owner of 1976 Grand National winner Rag Trade.^[4] Although Bessone had bought the gelding himself for 18,000 guineas, at a public auction at Doncaster, he later sold two 25% shares in the horse to businessmen William Lawrie and Herbert Keane. With trainer Arthur Pitt the horse ran the 1975 Grand National, only managing to complete the course. Under trainer Fred Rimell, the following year, the horse won both the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow and the Grand National at Aintree. Bessone had hoped for a third win in 1977.^[3]

Cultural references

Sir John 'Teasy-Weasy' Butler, in Monty Python, was based on Bessone.^[5]

Bibliography

• Hair and all that incorporating national service coiffures, 1940.^[15]

References

External links

• Newsreel film of Raymond Bessone, Pathé News, 20 May 1957.
• "Celebrity hairdresser Teasy Weasy marries" at newsplayer.com