Fifty years after Paula Kent Meehan founded Redken Laboratories, Inc., 418 former Redken employees celebrated the milestone anniversary at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills and were hosted by Meehan herself.
Attendees at the reunion.
In celebrating Redken's "50 Years of Beauty through Science" the reunion revolved around the company's rich history and leadership values.
The gathering was emceed by Ann Mincey and included those employed by Redken Laboratories from 1960-1993 and their spouses, distributors, guest artists, and international guests representing eight countries, who made vital contributions to Redken's first thirty-three "Renaissance years." A walk through a gallery of memorabilia had many guests commenting, "Seeing our former products on display was like seeing old friends."
Emcee Ann Mincey
"Redken created superior products and educational programs which propelled the industry's transformation and created a solid foundation for the company's continued success," said David Cannell, Ph.D., and now retired Senior Vice President of Research and Development.
Among those in attendance were Vidal and Ronnie Sassoon, Bill and Pam Peplow, Redken's first distributor Bob and Lou Peel, Sr., Bob and Kris Peel, Jr. The singing trio, Saint Tropez was reunited to sing the Redken song, "Light the Way" which debuted at Hair World in Las Vegas, 1984. Additional musical numbers were presented by Steven Goddard, now president of Pravana, and Mrs. Meehan's good friend, actress Debbie Reynolds.
Paula with Vidal Sassoon (left) and with her good friend Debbie Reynolds (right).
Steve Goddard singing at the event.
Included in the program were members of senior management including Bill Peplow, Chris Meehan, Jim Brooks, Harry Fairtlough, Jim Pekin, Tom McLoughlin and Steve Goddard. The event logistics, imagery and guest communications were orchestrated by Joni Rae and Robert Russell of Joni Rae and Associates of Encino, California.
Steve Goddard, Joni Rae Russell, Paula Kent Meehan, Ann Mincey and Robert Russell
Commented Mrs. Meehan, "We've hosted reunions in the past and I've always been gratified by the number of employees who returned to connect with each other and rekindle the spirit of Redken. The fact that 2010 marks such a milestone for Redken made this reunion the most special of all. We celebrated not just a company but the incredible caring of the friends and colleagues who helped create the central core-the incredible nucleus-that endures to this day. They are truly the modern pioneers of beauty through science. I missed them all and it was wonderful to see everyone having such a great time."
Redken memorabilia on display at the event.
For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.
media brand