IN AUGUST 1960, Paula Kent Meehan founded Redken Laboratories, Inc., a company that initiated the concept of “beauty through science.” Meehan recently hosted a reunion for former employees who were with the company during its “Renaissance Years” of 1960 through 1993. More than 400 former employees helped recognize Redken’s product and leadership contributions at the milestone anniversary gala held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Long-time Redken executive and spokesperson Ann Mincey emceed the event that included a gallery of Redken memorabilia and guests who included Vidal and Ronnie Sassoon, former senior executive Bill Peplow and his wife Pam, and Redken’s fi rst distributor Bob Peel Sr. of Peel’s Salon Services along with his wife Lou, and son Bob Peel Jr. and his wife Kris. “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., retired senior vice president of research and development.
The vocal group Saint Tropez reunited to perform Light the Way, the Redken song that debuted at Hair World in Las Vegas in 1984. Additional musical numbers were performed by former Redken executive and current president of Pravana Steve Goddard and Meehan’s childhood friend actress and singer Debbie Reynolds. Other former members of Redken’s senior management team Chris Meehan, Jim Brooks, Harry Fairtlough, Jim Pekin and Tom McLaughlin participated in the reunion that was organized under the leadership of Joni Rae Russell and Robert Russell of Joni Rae and Associates.
“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,” said Meehan. “The fact that 2010 marks such a milestone made this the most special reunion of all. We celebrated not just a company, but the incredible caring and rapport 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,” she said. To see more photos visit facebook.com/redken-50- year-reunion.
For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click here.