Rudy Ruffo: A Legacy in Style.
At the legendary Enrico Caruso Salon on Park Avenue in New York City, Rudy Ruffo began his ascent into the world of high fashion and celebrity styling. His very first client was the iconic Janet Leigh, star of Hitchcock’s Psycho. It was through Enrico Caruso that Rudy’s artistry first appeared on the Clairol Box Covers, marking the beginning of a career that would shape beauty culture for decades.
Rudy soon joined the celebrated Kenneth Salon, the famed home of the rich and famous. There, he became Joan Rivers’ private hairdresser, styled Sigourney Weaver (including the breakthrough haircut for her role in Alien), and worked with Katharine Hepburn and countless other cultural icons. His name quickly became synonymous with artistry, discretion, and excellence.
Rudy was the first hairdresser ever to receive this prestigious honor, awarded for creative excellence in advertising and design.
Editorial Features
Rudy’s work has graced the covers and layouts of the world’s most prestigious publications, including:
Brides, Modern Bride, Seventeen, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Harper’s Bazaar, Ladies’ Home Journal, Ingenue, Woman’s Day, Family Circle, Town & Country, and the iconic Clairol Box Covers.
He collaborated with some of the most legendary photographers of the 20th century, among them Francesco Scavullo, Jimmy Moore, John Bechtold, Herb Pressman, and Patrick Demarchelier, producing imagery that captured the eyes of millions.
The New York Post even devoted a full-page feature to him, titled:
“Traveling Hairdresser Lives on the Cutting Edge.”
Television, Film & Stage
Rudy’s expertise has been sought on the world’s most visible stages and broadcasts, including:
MTV Awards — Lead coordinator for the first four shows
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson — Approximately 100 appearances
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Tony Awards, The Coty Awards, VH1 Divas, Fashion Rocks
CNN Heroes, Glamour Woman of the Year, NFL Kickoff, The Apprentice Finale
Nickelodeon with Jennifer Hudson (2011), TV Land Awards (2011)
Food Network’s Rachael Ray vs. Guy Fieri Celebrity Cook-Off (2012)
Bravo’s The Approval Matrix (2011)
And many more, spanning Broadway, television, music, and fashion.
Celebrity Clientele
Over the course of his career, Rudy has styled and worked with an unparalleled roster of cultural icons, including:
Sigourney Weaver, Jacqueline Onassis, Katharine Hepburn, Diane Keaton, Cheryl Tiegs, John F. Kennedy Jr., Caroline Kennedy, Pam Dawber, Sting, Elton John, Cyndi Lauper, Quincy Jones, Madonna, Sean Penn, Eddie Murphy, Vanna White, Brooke Shields, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jack Black, Elvis Costello, Frank Langella, Stan Getz, Hugh Hefner, Larry Storch, Prince, ZZ Top, Diane Sawyer, Jessica Lange, Queen Noor of Jordan, Benazir Bhutto (Prime Minister of Pakistan), and many more.
The early days: refining my craft at the renowned Kenneth Salon in NYC.
The early days: refining my craft at the renowned Kenneth Salon in NYC.
The early days: refining my craft at the renowned Kenneth Salon in NYC.
The "One Shot Cut"
Editorial styling for the iconic Mignon Gowns catalog.
Featured in Brides Magazine — a personal favorite layout.
A private penthouse session, preparing her for the iconic film Alien.
Behind the scenes in Natchez, Mississippi: The Huck Finn Movie.
Mademoiselle Glasses
Mademoiselle Glasses
Janet Lynn, Bronze Medal Olympic Winner in Japan.
Mademoiselle, August 1979.
For years, I had the honor of styling the world-famous Rockettes.