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Jheri Redding | |
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| Born | Robert William Redding (1907-03-02)March 2, 1907 |
| Died | March 15, 1998(1998-03-15) (aged 91) Santa Barbara,California, U.S. |
| Other names | Godfather of Hair |
| Occupation(s) | Hairdresser, chemist, and businessman |
| Years active | 1925–1990 |
| Known for | Jheri curl, inventor ofhair conditioner |
Jheri Redding (bornRobert William Redding March 2, 1907 – March 15, 1998) was anAmerican hairdresser, chemist, hair-care products entrepreneur and businessman.[1] Redding is best known for having created theJheri curl.[2]
Redding is credited with being the inventor of modern-dayhair conditioner. He was the first to make "pH balanced" shampoos, to put vitamins in hair care products, and to market added minerals.[3] He developed theperm product Jheri curl, as well as numerous other beauty products. He founded the international beauty products business that bore his name, along with three others.
As a young man in Chicago, Redding was teaching chemistry and working as a hair stylist using beauty products that did not perform to his expectations. He began experimenting with chemicals and other ingredients he found in his kitchen, such asmayonnaise and vinegar, to make his own shampoos, rinses and hairdressing solutions to improve the hair of his clients. From his research grew the treatments, styling creams andgels that became known as Jheri Redding Products.
Redding moved to Los Angeles, California, shortly afterWorld War II. Having adopted his unusual nickname along the way, he founded Jheri Redding Products Company in 1956, selling a cream rinse he developed. He later co-founded three other major national hair care companies,Redken in 1960, Jhirmack in 1968, and in 1979,Nexxus, which he said stood for "Nature and Earth United With Science." From the beginning of Nexxus a major disruption in the market place occurred with the introduction of direct to consumer advertising to direct consumers to salons. These companies continue to operate under different ownership. Nexxus became the leader in this marketing technique as developed by Stephen Redding, President of the company. Jheri Redding and his management team of family members was the first salon only product company to introduce TV advertising on national scale such as Johnny Carson and the Today Show. Both brand advertising and in association with local salons through co-op program. The introduction of co-op advertising assisted many salons with increasing business of both services and for the first time retail sales of both Nexxus and other products. With the leadership of Jheri Redding, his son Stephen Redding, his wife Angie Redding, her sisters Rose Marie Demourkas and Christina Demourkas and, their brother John Demourkas, the beauty salon industry underwent a resurgence still being felt today. With advertising to consumers Nexxus created the first large scale successful retail sales in salons. The other important advancement was development of small number of independent distributors throughout the country rather than direct corporate sales. Also at very large trade shows for professional hairdressers like the one in Chicago, IL or Las Vegas, NV hundreds or thousands of professionals attended classes to listen to and learn directly from Jheri Redding.
Jheri Redding racedThoroughbred horses under thenom de course Jhayare Stables. His most successful runner wasItsallgreektome who was voted the 1990American Champion Male Turf Horse.
Jheri Redding had four wives: Marjorie Silverman Miller, Selma, Irene J. (divorced March 16, 1979) and Cheryl Shirleen Lugo (divorced), respectively.
Jheri had 3 biological children and 1 adopted:
Jheri had a total of 12 grandchildren, at least 6 great-grandchildren.[citation needed][4]
As he succeeded, the recognized authority on hair color put his ideas into print when he wroteThe Anatomy of a Permanent Wave. Redding also assumed a leadership position in the cosmetics industry and founded theHollywood Design Council.
In 1990, Redding was inducted into theNational Cosmetology Foundation's Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into theNorth American Hairstyling Award's Hall of Leaders in 1997.[5]