14
Presenting the RAT PACK
The Racoon International Artistic Team , AKA The RAT Pack , is a happy bunch of 12 talented and creative hairdressers whose lives wouldn ’ t be complete without Racoon extensions by their side . Here we discover what makes them tick .
ESTHER SWEENIE-ROWE : Freelance session stylist
STEPHEN MESSIAS : Racoon International Creative Director and RAT Pack leader
“ As RAT Pack leader , my job is to harness the energy , enthusiasm and creativity of all 12 people in the team . Everyone ’ s an individual , a word that begins with an ‘ I ’ – but there ’ s no ‘ I ’ in this team ! Ours is a well-balanced group of skillful , talented and incredibly enthusiastic people who work together brilliantly . I ensure everyone makes the most of their strengths while helping to improve any weaknesses , creating a team brilliant at extensions work and creative hairdressing .
“ The RAT Pack ’ s such a pleasure to work with ; in all my 50-plus years of being in the hairdressing industry , never before have I worked with people totally concerned with progressing as a team , working for the collective greater good – not for themselves . You ’ ve only have to look at the pics of them working together preparing models for our Vintage Collection photo-shoot ( pages 6 to 9 ) to see how well they gel as a team . And look at what they produced ! Vintage is an outstanding collection , simply beautiful work , and I ’ m as proud as punch to be their team leader .”
“ I first got involved in hair extensions in 2002 while working in Ilford for the late Shelly Daly , founder of the Headjogs group . Extensions were already popular in Essex , but the materials were really poor . So I thought right , if we ’ re going to do extensions , I ’ ll research the best there are . I met with many suppliers and Racoon won hands down on the strength of its education , hair quality , support and customer service – all superb . Our turnover increased significantly through extension work , we soon became a top customer to Racoon and I was asked to work more closely with them , explain how we used extensions creatively , made them work financially .
“ This led to me becoming a Racoon educator and doing the extensions for PR jobs with top media hairdressers such as Beverly C and Andrew Barton for 10 Years Younger , How to Look Good Naked , Extreme Make Over , etc . By then I had two children and was so busy with the family , my clients and celebrities I decided to take the freelance route . Now I look after my clients in either the Dorchester Hotel ’ s salon or in Graham Tilley ’ s salon in Soho .”
14