ROCK may beat scissors in the classic hand game, but when it comes to the hairdressing game, no one beats hairstylist Pauline McCabe’s scissors.

As owner and senior stylist of South Freo salon Rock Paper Scissors, McCabe has just been awarded two of the industry’s most coveted awards.

She said it “feels beautiful” to win WA/NT hairdresser of the year at the Australian Fashion Hair Industry Awards and at the Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Awards Gala in Sydney.

• Pauline McCabe works her magic with a client. Photo by Charlie Smith

Recognised

“It’s amazing that other people and the leaders in our industry have recognised my work and there’s something in it that appeals to them,” the boutique salon owner says.

McCabe originally studied graphic design in her hometown of Glasgow, before her part-time jewellery and accessory making caught the eye of some of her hairdressing friends, who encouraged her to get into the industry.

McCabe was trained by some notable hair-dressing doyens, including award-winning Scottish hairdressing team Irvine and Rita Rusk.

• In the early days the Rock Paper Scissors team emerged from the Fibonacci Centre incubator.

By age 21, she was made Art Team Director for Rusk Inc. and relocated to America where she was poached by legendary hairdresser Trevor Sorbie MBE.

Despite working on fashion shows with Gucci, Vivienne Westwood, Armani and Valentino, and featuring in editorials in countless publications, she is immensely proud of her bespoke South Fremantle salon.

“There are amazing and talented people here and it just reinforces a culture of art, music, talent and real creatives,” McCabe says. “It is the perfect place for my own salon.”

McCabe started her salon nearly seven years ago at the Fibonacci Centre, and said it was the perfect way to “organically grow” her business.

• McCabe accepts her hair fashion awards trophy.

The award-winning stylist brings her years of experience to the indi-chic salon which is now on South Terrace.

“We see ourselves as craftspeople,” she says.

“We really try to cater for the individual customers needs.”

McCabe is also a hairdressing teacher and says it has been amazing to mentor her hand-picked team.

“They consider the client’s bone structure, colour and balance, colour placement, to make sure they provide an exceptional standard of work.”

Many of her team members also get hands on experience, travelling with her to work on shows internationally and interstate.

“The fact we have been so supported lets us employ lots of really talented, local people,” she says.

by CHARLIE SMITH

Rock Paper Scissors
227 South Terrace
South Fremantle
9335 1693