Teddie's Stylists Create Super Hairdos
- December 30, 1993 • Pioneer Press Newspaper • By Dorothy Andries
A stylist has to know how to work with long hair," said Teddie Kossof, owner of Teddie Kossof Salon and Spa in Northfield. "Our mature master stylists grew up with long hair. But the young ones coming up have to learn. That's essential to me."
In Kossof's salon, which has been on Waukegan Road for 18 years, long hair is not treated as something to be eliminated. "We are not interested in just giving hair cuts," the owner said frankly. "While our specialty is color, we always want to make sure the customer gets what she wants."
When asked to create some unusual hairdos for New Year's Eve, Kossof's stylists delivered a bouquet of possibilities.
From Beata came "Simply bizarre," a slightly undone updo with slender strands of hair trailing provocatively over the shoulders of lovely Laura Cohn.
Stylist Cecelia Nieto carefully shaped large, smooth curls on the head of Ellen Yablon in a manicured style she called "East Meets West." And she swept up the back of Kelley Welden's magnificent blond tresses, piling tiny curls in pretty profusion behind a long side-swept lock which framed her face. The confection was called "Midnight Madness."
"I wouldn't want to have a cookie-cutter salon," said Kossof, "where everyone walks out with the latest hair cut. I encourage my staff to be as creative as possible, to see what can be done and work with the client to bring out her individuality.
"After all," Kossof continued, "Hair is a woman's first accessory." He paused. "That's right. It's not earrings, it's not jewelry. It's hair. And after that, make-up."
Then he added, "Sometimes I go to black-tie parties and I am amazed at what I see. Some women's hair looks as if they just came from working out."
A good looking hair style is vital to a woman's self-esteem, he added. "If your hair feels good, you'll feel good," he said.
In the 1990s, volume and motion are more important than any one particular style. "Volume without teasing," Kossof insisted. "Teasing just ripped up the hair. Instead we've been getting volume with rollers."
Body perms are also popular. "Perms without curls," he said. "The larger the rod the less damage done to the hair," he continued. "The perm solution does penetrate the cuticle of the hair, but with a large roller the damage is very little.
"And if weight is taken off the hair with just the right cut, the curl is released and the hair will have fullness and motion."
He is particularly excited about the results which are achieved with what is called under-perming. "The permanent solution is applied only on the sides of the hair," he explained, "not on the crown. It is a beautiful way to get the volume and still have the hair at the top looking nice and natural."
But Kossof does not want to sell his customers on anything. "A while back I decided that I would like to talk to each new customer and recommend what would be best for her," he said. "So I ran an ad offering a free consultation and the response was terrific."
He had several reasons for such a generous offer. "I have 35 hairdressers here," he said. "And occasionally a new customer will fall into the wrong chair and never come back. It can happen. But if I meet someone first, I usually can figure out Which hairdresser would be best for her."
The free consultation was put on hold during part of 1993, while Kossof was having both his hips replaced. The operations were so successful that the businessman swears he should have had it done five years ago. "But one of the things I'm going to do is start the consultations again," he said. "I really enjoy it."
Research is a basic tool of Kossof's trade. "Every new client is mailed a questionnaire asking about our service," he explained, "with a self-addressed stamped envelope as well."
The questions include how service can be improved, whether the staff was courteous and what the client would like to see on her next visit. Plenty of space is left for comments.
"We get them, too," Kossof said. "suggestions, ideas, and we pay attention. We listen to what our clients have to say."
About five years ago, Kossof's salon was remodeled and updated, complete with a gleaming glass entrance that sparkled as brightly as any establishment on Michigan Avenue.
"We say that we have a downtown look, but inside there is a friendly, family feeling. "I think that warm atmosphere draws people back." Because this is Kossof's only salon, he is able to give it all his attention. "When you come to Teddie's, you'll see Teddie," he said. "I don't have any desire to spread myself thin running back and forth between a bunch of salons."
Despite the rigors of supervising a thriving service business, Kossof finds time for a wide range of charity work. He is active with the Juvenille Diabetes Foundation and was named Man of the Year by the Children's Place, a residence for youngsters with AIDS. Kossof raised over $30,000 to purchase a van to take the residents to doctor's appointments or hospital visits. During the holidays, the salon sold special gift baskets to benefit Children's House.
He is active with his parish, St. Philip the Apostle, located in Northfield, where he built his new home several years ago. "I love the community of Northfield," he said. "And I've never lost my love for the service business. That's what keeps me going through the ups and downs of business."
In addition to active participation in events and shows, Kossof has a history of responding when he is asked for premiums and contributions. "I have kept track of my donations to silent auctions, fashion shows, raffles, drawings," he said. "The book is three inches thick. We've donated about $50,000 in services to charities and fundraising events for non-profit organizations. I feel good about that. It's just another aspect of being a member of the community."
When preparing for the New Year's Eve hairstyle shoot, the models found everything they needed on the premises of the Kossof Salon & Spa building. "The makeup was supplied by Brenda Bendel, who is located here," Kossof Said. The lace tops and dazzling jewelry were all supplied from Fire & Ice, also based at Kossof's.
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