Raymond Bessone, aka Mr Teasy-Weasy, was the Nicky Clarke of his
day. He had a salon in Mayfair and a list of celebrity
clients that made his competitors drool.
Like a true maestro Raymond would pace up and down the salon waiting
for a customer to attract his attention. He would then throw his
hands in the air, exclaiming, "Madam, can you not see that
I am meditating!"
...And they loved it.
Vidal Sassoon began his career as one of Teasy-Weasy's staff and
obviously aimed to outstrip his master. In 1956 Diana Dors had caused
press hysteria by flying Teasy-Weasy to the USA for a £2,500
shampoo and set. Twelve years later Sassoon flew to the US to give
a $5,000 cut to Rosemary's Baby star Mia Farrow.
Teasy-Weasy's fame has endured, and there are references
to him in both Monty Python (Sir John 'Teasy-Weasy' Butler conquors
K2) and Red Dwarf.
