Raymond Bessone
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Raymond Bessone OBE |
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Cover of Bessone's autobiography "Raymond"
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| Born |
Raymondo Pietro Carlo Bessone 11 May 1911 Wardour Street, Soho, London, England |
| Died | 17 April 1992 (aged 80) Berkshire, England |
| Cause of death | cancer |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Mr Teasy-Weasy, Teasie Weasie Raymond, Raymond Raymond, Pierre Raymond Bessone |
| Occupation | Hairdresser |
| Spouse(s) | 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.
Bessone was born 'Raimondo Pietro Carlo Bessone' at 61 Wardour Street, Soho, London, England of Italian and French parentage and descent. He subsequently Anglicised his name, and legally changed it by deed poll, to Peter Carlo Bessone Raymond. His name is sometimes, but incorrectly, given as Pierre Raymond Bessone.
Bessone began his career making false beards and moustaches in his father's barber shop. He subsequently opened his own salon in Mayfair, where he trained Vidal Sassoon. In 2010 Sassoon said of Bessone: "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.
In 1956 Bessone was flown to the United States by Diana Dors, for a shampoo and set, at a cost of £2,500 (equivalent to £60,000). The stunt caused media controversy since a house could have been bought for the same amount.
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.
In the early 1970s Bessone made a cameo appearance in the television soap opera Crossroads.
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